Principal's News Flash
Corinne Pupillo
Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,
2024 THEME: SUPPORTING INCLUSION THROUGH TEACHING AND LEARNING.
When we implement reasonable adjustments, we are supporting the learning and wellbeing needs of our students to foster happy, healthy, resilient and successful lifelong learners.
We are currently in the process of preparing for 2025 but also still very much celebrating the current achievements of 2024. The leadership and consultative committee are in the process of undertaking a review of systems and processes with the aim of focusing on continuous improvement to support inclusion through teaching, learning and wellbeing.
Some of the things that are currently in progress for the 2025 school year include;
- reviewing the 2024 Annual Implementation Plan - activities and milestone progress
- workforce planning aligning with school priorities
- class group combinations
- meeting schedules
- program and curriculum allocations
- budget evaluation and planning
- reviewing and updating key documents to reflect the 2025 Operations
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability.
I know there has been a great deal of speculation regarding the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability. Like many of you, it's been difficult to hear and read the lived experiences of some of the young people. Whilst all the 222 recommendations are directed towards a broad range of stakeholders, recommendation 7, primarily relates to Inclusive education, employment and housing. The Victorian Government has submitted their response and I've included the link below.
I'd like to highlight that the Victorian Government is standing by Specialist schools like ours and am pleased to share the response and celebrate that all families will have a choice of enrolling their child/ren in a school that is right for them.
Recommendation 7.14 Phasing out and ending special/segregated education
Victorian Government Response:
We do not accept this recommendation.
We value the role specialist schools play in the education system.
We will continue to provide parents and carers with the choice of enrolling their child in a school that is right for them – whether that is an inclusive local school or a specialist school.
We recognise that inclusion does not mean a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education.
Together with the Commonwealth, states and territories, we note recommendation 7.14 (a) to (e). We acknowledge that state and territory governments are responsible for registering schools while making education more inclusive.
Mini Woolies Launch
Tuesday 13 August - Jacana Mini Woolies was launched in what was our 'old music room"
A special thank you to the following people who have been instrumental in making this possible for our students.
- Sarah Corey – General Manager – Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies
- Rowena Davis - Mini Woolies Program Manager
- Ursula Fallaize – Retail Sales Support Coordinator
- Gladstone Park Woolworths Store
- Mini Woolies Planning Team & JSA Therapy Team
- Student Leaders
Supporting inclusion through teaching and learning is our 2024 theme and I can’t think of a more important lifelong skill than to have hands on experiences in a supermarket setting. The Jacana Mini Woolies store will provide students with a range of real-life experiences by building confidence and independence in many of the curriculum areas in particular links to literacy and numeracy.
- Interpersonal communication skills of retail customer service and conversational engagement
- Practice real world skills of literacy, numeracy, money handling and register operation
- Product handling and stock management of groceries, fresh produce and perishable foods
- Building confidence, independence and preparedness for the future
- Experiential exposure to build knowledge and familiarity of real-world environments
Staffing
Secondary Sub School Leader, Bill Vasilevski will be on leave from Wednesday 28 August until the end of the term. Amelia Frantz will be Acting Secondary Sub School Leader in Bill's absence.
School Council News
Our next School Council meeting is Thursday, 12th September.
| MEMBER | POSITION |
| Corinne Pupillo | Executive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au |
| Lisa Sette | Community Representative & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au |
| VACANCY | Community Representative |
| Paul Malavisi | Parent Representative |
| Mark Mansfield | Parent Representative |
| Chris Ernst | Parent Representative |
| Michelle Owen | Parent Representative |
| Andrew McDonough | Parent Representative |
| Jay Murali | Parent Representative |
| Stephanie Torchia | DE Representative |
| Daniel Moloney | DE Representative |
School Council Sub-Committee Representatives
- Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield
- School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Denise Clarke
- Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Kristen Bellerini
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. In the event that your child tests positive on a RAT for COVID, we strongly recommend a 5 day period of recovery in this case.
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/
Virtual School Tour
Our virtual school tour is now live on our school website. Please check it out and refer any members of the community to our page.