2026 School Theme
SUSTAINING INCLUSIVE PRACTICES TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND WELLBEING.
When we strengthen our evidence-based practices, students will be engaged and thrive in their learning.
SCHOOL VISION
Jacana School for Autism fosters resilience and independence, enabling students to be engaged participants in community life.
PURPOSE
The school continually implements highly customised teaching and learning programs to ensure all students access an inclusive curriculum using evidence informed practice in a safe and supportive environment. Students are supported by a committed professional multi-disciplinary team, focused on recognising and developing individual personal and educational potential.
Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)
The AIP operationalises our 4-year School Strategic Plan (SSP).
Each year the plan outlines how our school will implement the goals and key improvement strategies (KIS) that will be our focus for improvement throughout the year.
The AIP includes:
- SSP goals, targets and KIS selected for focus that year
- 12-month targets that track progress against 4-year targets
- actions that will be undertaken to implement the selected KIS
- intended outcomes of the actions (changes in knowledge, skills and behaviours) as well as success indicators that will be used to measure the outcomes
- the related activities that will be completed to achieve the outcomes, including resourcing, responsibility, and timelines for completion
We have specific targets that relate to the Learning and Wellbeing priority areas.
Learning
Key Focus Areas for 2026:
1a: Develop, implement and embed a whole-school approach to formative and summative assessment.
- Audit current assessment practices and schedules.
- Identify and select assessment tools appropriate for our students.
- Develop a school-wide assessment schedule.
- Build staff capacity to use assessment data to inform teaching and planning.
1c: Build teacher capacity to implement autism specific strategies
- Implement a school-wide tier 1 communication approach for all students.
- Align teaching and learning programs with VTML 2.0 and the DI funding model.
- Embed a whole-school, consistent approach to the daily teaching of phonics.
- Strengthen the quality and consistency of semester-based IEP goals.
- Build staff knowledge and confidence in autism-specific teaching practices.
Wellbeing
Key Focus Areas for 2026:
2b) Strengthen school policies nad practices that promote inclusive, positive behaviour and a safe environment.
- Building staff capacity in understanding the Child Safety Standards, i.e. recognise body cues, managing disclosures, managing student online safety, supporting student voice/right to privacy.
- Building a professional learning/induction plan to support safety and inclusive classroom practices, i.e. communication, regulation and personal care needs.
- Implementing the Power to Kids program to promote student voice and agency.
- Build staffe capacity to provide active supervision across all aspects of student life, planning and implementing risk assessments.