Acting Principal's
News Flash
Dan Moloney
Dan Moloney
Hi everybody!
I hope that all families have enjoyed the term break. Many of us benefitted from the lovely, sunny weather to spend time out and about. This is so special to refresh our minds and settle into their familiar routines back at school.
Over the break, and in addition to the completion of our 2025-2026 Playground development, we have improved some of our playground areas with additional shade sails in Playground 1 and new sandpit area in Playground 3. These additions provide more scope for shade during breaks and opportunities for parallel play, with is terrific. These matters are discussed in detail in our Environment and Facilities report, by Mary, our Safe and Well Leader.
In Weeks 2-4, all students will be engaging in our annual Swimming Program at the Broadmeadows Sports and Aquatic Centre. This is an important program to support our students to engage in structured sessions with qualified AUSSWIM coaches to develop these vital life skills. It is great to see so many families involved in attending and providing support, as pre-arranged. I expect that plenty of photos will be uploaded to Seesaw for families to view.
In Weeks 4-6, our Term 2 Student Support Groups (or SSGs) will be underway. Being that all of our students have an Individual Education Plan, the department deems these meetings are compulsory for families and schools to attend. Please prioritise booking your meeting times to support your child's/children's ongoing learning and wellbeing needs at JSA. Our APs, Ellen and Stephanie, have more information to share regarding these meetings.
2026 School Council
We are pleased to announce the following parent representatives nominated for 2026-2028:
Chris Ernst
Mark Mansfield
Savana Bahjat
| MEMBER | POSITION |
| Daniel Moloney | Executive Officer (Acting Principal) daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au |
| Ellen Paterson | DE Representative |
| Mary Boutros | DE Representative |
| Andrew McDonough | Parent Representative |
| Paul Malavisi | Parent Representative |
| CASUAL VACANCY from March 2026 to March 2027 | Parent Representative |
| Chris Ernst | Parent Representative |
| Mark Mansfield | Parent Representative |
| Savana Bahjat | Parent Representative |
| VACANCY | Community Member Representative |
| VACANCY | Community Member Representative |
Communication with Staff Policy (Revised 12 December for 2026)
Jacana School for Autism understands the importance of providing helpful and timely responses to common enquiries from parents and carers. To ensure that members of our school community are directed to the most appropriate person to assist them, the information below outlines key contacts for common queries:
to report a student absence, please text the Student Absence Line on 0439 114 197
to report any urgent issues relating to a student on a particular day, please contact the general office on 9309 6258
to discuss a student’s academic progress, health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s classroom teacher/ sub school leader.
Primary Sub School Leader: Zoe Pirotta | zoe.pirotta2@education.vic.gov.au
- Middle Years Sub School Leader: Stefania Mantinioti | stefania.mantinioti@education.vic.gov.au
- Secondary Sub School Leader: Amelia Frantz | amelia.frantz@education.vic.gov.au
- Senior Secondary Sub School Leader: Sean Procko | sean.procko@education.vic.gov.au
For enquiries regarding camps and excursions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
to make a complaint, please contact the Acting Principal/Assistant Principals on
9309 6258.
Acting Principal:
Daniel Moloney | daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au
Assistant Principal [Inclusion and Wellbeing] :
Stephanie Torchia | stephanie.torchia@education.vic.gov.au
- Assistant Principal [Teaching and Learning]:
- Ellen Paterson | ellen.paterson@education.vic.gov.au
Please also refer to our Complaints Policy, available on the school website:
https://www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/policies/management/
to report a potential hazard or incident on the school site, please contact:
OHS Manager Nominee
Mary Boutros on 9309 6258 or mary.boutros@education.vic.gov.au
for parent payments, please contact the general office on 9309 6258
for all other enquiries, please contact our Office on 9309 6258
School staff will do their best to respond to general queries as soon as possible and ask that you allow us 2-3 working days to provide you with a detailed response. We will endeavour to respond to urgent matters within 24 hours where possible.
Unwell students
If your child is presenting with cold and flu like symptoms we kindly ask families to keep your child at home if they are experiencing symptoms.
Each morning when students are getting ready for school, I ask that you be mindful of how your child is presenting. If they/he/she is feeling/looking/acting unusual or is complaining of being unwell please take them to the doctor. Minimising the cross-infection will assist in reducing the risk of spreading bugs and viruses.
All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student's name, room number and reason for absence.
Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts:
Student Absence Line: 0439 114 197
Reminder: Our newsletter is published each fortnight and will provide you with important information about the school and events that may be of interest to you. I encourage you to read the newsletter that will be sent home via your home email, on the school's Facebook and Instagram Page, Seesaw or on the school's website.
JSA also has a Facebook and Instagram Page. Please like and follow our pages.
https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism
https://www.instagram.com/jacana.school/
School Website