Jackson School Newsletter

Principal's Message

Anthony Jackson (Principal)

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.   

The Issue Highlights

Dear Families,

 

 

I am pleased to announce that our School Performance Group "Influence" has been published from the Department of Education. This is held of high importance within the Department.

 

This means that performance is high or very high. This level of performance is maintained consistently over three years or is on a positive improvement trajectory with the school acting as an influencer and system leader. As an overall performance group, this indicates that the majority of domains and measures have positive results.

 

Our school’s performance group is used to tailor the duration and focus of our school review in Term 3, 2024. Our performance group also informs the frequency of monitoring from the Department and range of supports the school receives following a review.

 

This data is based upon parent/carer/guardian, staff and student's views of how the school is performing against key measures. These are compared to both mainstream and specialist schools. This does not mean that we don't have areas for improvement, like all schools do. This does however help us identify what we need to improve on for our next Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and School Strategic Plan (SSP). 

 

Thank you to the whole community for your ongoing commitment and dedication to making our school a leading school within the state.

Sports Day

Today was our first Sports Day since before COVID-19. Thank you to all of the parents, carers and family members who were able to attend today. We hope you enjoyed the day. Thank you to Ben Everson and the team for the day such an amazing experience for our students. We're lucky the weather was on our side this year. 

 

Our Primary students had their Sports Day this morning with the Secondary students after lunch. As always they loved the sausage sizzle that followed. Our students participated in the following events:

  • Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Newcombe Ball
  • Korfball
  • 50 Meter Sprint
  • Long Jump 
  • High Jump  
  • Tunnel Ball 
  • Soccer Penalty Kick 
  • Bean Bag Target Throw  
  • Basketball Shot 
  • Hurdles
  • Egg & Spoon Race
  • Water Break/Stretching/Parachute
  • Obstacle Course
  • Tug of War

Happy Diwali!

 

Happy Diwali to our Hindu families and staff. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu religious festival and one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. This year Diwali fell on 12th November. 

Values Week / Russ Jackson Day

On Friday 10th November it was Russ Jackson Day. In 1989 our school was renamed Jackson School to honour the work done by Russ Jackson. Russel was a volunteer at Jackson for over 20 years; he was gardener/handyman, caretaker and School Council President. One of his main initiatives was setting up the gardening program. Because of this, we celebrated "Values Week" to highlight what is means to be a Jackson Learner in Russ' name. Our students strive to display our values everyday. Our students took part in volunteering activities around the school in memory of Russ Jackson.

 

Our Vision

 

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 education experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. 

Art & Design Show Special

 

On Wednesday 1st November we held our annual Art & Design Show. Our Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) did an amazing job at welcoming and hosting the event. Thanks to all of the parents, carers and family members who were able to attend. I think you'll agree with me, that our students are so talented. Thank you to Ane O'Day for coordinating the exceptional work with our students and the evening. We hope to get some of the artworks framed so we can display them in our new buildings. 

Next week staff will spend a day out of class for their planning day. Teachers teams will work with leadership staff on their curriculum planning and assessments in readiness for 2024. Teachers are also currently completing their end of year assessments before student reports are completed over the next couple of weeks.

 

A reminder that the last day for students in 2023 is Monday 18th December. This will be the end of year Achievement Assembly and Year 6 Graduation.

 

School Council met this week and decided on the Pupil Free Days (Curriculum Days and Common Professional Practice Days) for next year. These are:

  • Monday 29th January - Day 1 Term 1 (Welcome New Staff / AIP & School Review)
  • Tuesday 30th January - Day 2 Term 1 (School Operations & Disability Inclusion)
  • Monday 15th April - Day 1 Term 2 (Staff Medical Training)
  • Monday 4th November - Melbourne Cup Eve (Assessment & Reporting)
  • Thursday 19th December (Student Transition & Christmas Lunch/Goodbyes)

The first day for students in 2024 will be Wednesday 31st January and the last day for students in 2024 will be Wednesday 18th December.

 

Year 12 VPC students are finishing school today. At the start of the week we had the school leaver photos. I hope you all have a great time on your camp next week. We are looking forward to your Year 12 Graduation. I wish all of our graduates all the very best for your futures.

 

 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

 

Anthony