Principal's Message

Jackson School is a collaborative learning community for all. We aim to develop independence through safety, respect and responsibility. We aspire to offer authentic, quality educational experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. We share and celebrate our successes and achievements.   

Dear Parents/Carers,

Happy New Year!

We look forward to welcoming you back to a new school year on Thursday 30th January 2025. I would also like to welcome our new families to the Jackson School Community. I hope you've been able to spend some quality time as a family over the holiday period. In amongst family illnesses, we were able to get to Sydney, NSW to see my cousin visiting from the UK and had a week visiting friends in Robe, SA. It was lovely to have some quality time as a family of five.

School Council have agreed on our Pupil Free Days (Curriculum Days and Common Professional Practice Days) for 2025. These are:

• Tuesday 28th January - Day 1 Term 1 (Welcome New Staff / New SSP / Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Changes)
• Wednesday 29th January - Day 2 Term 1 (School Operations & Professional Learning)
• Monday 22nd April - Day 1 Term 2 (ASD Professional Learning)
• Monday 3rd November - Melbourne Cup Eve (Assessment & Reporting)
• Thursday 18th December (Student Transition)

The first day for students in 2025 is Thursday 30th January.

I am proud that all classes are starting the 2025 academic year with a teacher and education support staff. This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that we have had a full staff due to the recruitment challenges across the state. We have also increased staffing in line with our school growth to ensure we can deliver the very best education to your child/ren.

On behalf of the Jackson School Community, I would like to officially welcome our new staff for 2025. 

Teachers: Louise-Amy T, Casey N, Lauren M, Bahavinni B, Jenna E, Ann K, Leah Q, Kate M, Roka (TLI), Johannes (Media Arts)

Allied Health: Steph (OT) , An (Speech), Jade (OT)

ES Staff: Michelle Bon, Daniella E, Nisha C, Oluwatunke A, Mathilde G, Haley G, Celeste DN, Eve O, Helen N, Gracie L, Pauline D, Syeda Z

To view the staff list on our website, please click here: https://www.jacksons.vic.edu.au/our-school/our-staff/ 

New School Strategic Plan (SSP) & Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2025

Following our routine School Review in 2024, we now commence our new School Strategic Plan. The snapshot and SSP document attached outlines our work for improving student outcomes over the next four years.

Our 2025 AIP has now been endorsed by the Department and School Council. The AIP documents the annual plan for school improvement priorities and provides purpose for all members of the school community as they work towards the goals set out in the four-year School Strategic Plan (SSP). The AIP is developed and monitored by the school leadership teams in consultation with staff.

To download the full version of the 2024-2028 SSP please click here:

To view the full version of the 2025 AIP please click here: 

School Structure

Our school is structured into three collaborative learning communities: Junior School (Prep - Year 4), Middle School (Year 3-8) and Senior School (Year 7-Year 12). Within these communities, staff and classes work in smaller collaborative Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) led by an Assistant Learning Specialist (PLT Leader). For 2025 these are:

Junior School Leadership

• Meggan Decker (Leading Teacher)
• Chloe Dennis - PLT Leader, Foundation (Prep-2)
• Justin Amato - PLT Leader, Lower Primary (Years 3-4)

Middle School Leadership

• Kathy Pham (Leading Teacher)
• Uzer Coskuner - PLT Leader, Upper Primary (Years 5-6)
• Gabrielle Riddle-MacArthur - PLT Leader, Lower Secondary (Years 7-8)

Senior School Leadership

• Helena McAloon (Leading Teacher)
• Taleisha Elston (PLT Leader), Upper Secondary (Years 9-10)
• Jo Portelli - PLT Leader (ASDAN)

• Faith Agius - PLT Leader (VPC)

   

• Ben Everson - PLT Leader, Specialists (Prep-Year 12)

To develop a strong home-school partnership, Parents/Carers main point of contact for school communication should be your child's classroom teacher. This can be through SeeSaw, by phone (leave a message at the school office), or by appointment (SSGs can be booked through the school office). The whole school's communication will continue to be sent out through Xuno email and SMS notifications. Our staff and students are supported by many learning and wellbeing staff who work outside of the classroom. Each collaborative learning community has a Leading Teacher who supports teachers with the day-to-day student coordination and is the second point of contact for families regarding your child's health and wellbeing. PLT Leaders lead the professional learning of their teams focused around teaching and learning.

Leadership Team

The senior leadership team is responsible for managing the daily operations within the school and leading our annual implementation plan (AIP) actions focused on learning and wellbeing.

• Deborah Munoz - Leading Teacher (Transitions & Disability Inclusion)
• Kelly Sherrard - Leading Teacher (Curriculum & Assessment)
• Gabrielle Maher - Learning Specialist (Professional Learning)
• Jaclyn Hartzema - Learning Specialist (Teaching & Learning - Numeracy)
• Sarah Brens - Learning Specialist (Teaching & Learning - Literacy)
• Meggan Decker - Leading Teacher (Junior School)
• Kathy Pham - Leading Teacher (Middle School)
• Helena McAloon - Leading Teacher (Senior School)
• Michelle Zammit - Leading Teacher (Mental Health & Wellbeing)
• Alex Baynes - Social Worker (Child Safety Officer)
• Jessica Richards - Inclusion Outreach Coach (1 day at Jackson School / 3 days Maintream Outreach)

I would like to welcome the newest members of our leadership team: Deborah, Meggan and Kathy. We look forward to working with you in your new roles. 

Principal Team

The principal team is the executive leadership team responsible for the overall management of the school, delivering DE and School Council policy decisions, and leading our school strategic plan (SSP) to improve student outcomes.

• Anthony Jackson - Principal & Executive Officer of School Council 
• Bernadette O'Sullivan - Assistant Principal (Community Partnerships)
• Julie La Bouchardiere - Assistant Principal (Inclusive Practice)
• Matt Gravatt - Business & Operations Manager

Please do not hesitate to contact one of of the leadership team if we can be of assistance to you and your family. The office staff may also forward any queries to a member of our leadership team who has a range of differing responsibilities in leading our school community. 

Essential Information

To support families with the start of the 2025 school year, our administration team have compiled essential information in the pages in this issue, which provides you with all the necessary information to start the year. This includes:

• Key 2025 Term 1 Dates
• Xuno & SeeSaw Information
• 2025 Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Information
• 2025 Parent/Carer Payment Arrangements Charges
• Other Essential Information
• Respectful Behaviour within the Community

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 

(03) 9366 4322 or email us at jackson.sch@education.vic.gov.au.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to welcoming our staff, students and families back to school.

Enjoy the remainder of your time as a family.

Anthony Jackson

Principal