Principal's Message
Bernadette O'Sullivan (Acting 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
- Footy Colours Day
- R U OK? Day
- School Holiday Activities
- Term 4
- Sun Smart
- Whole School Relationships and Sexuality Education
- School Saving Bonus
- Students of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
- Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary and Secondary
- Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
- Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.
- School Dates -For the most up-to-date calendar dates, always refer to the Xuno Calendar in your Parent Portal.
Dear Families,
Term 3 has been a busy and exhausting term for all. On top of it being a long term during the depths of winter, staff and students have showed amazing resilience, flexibility and remarkable support for each other. Thank you also to our families for your continued support of your children and working together with us to achieve the best possible outcomes for them.
There has also been a lot to celebrate this term. The term started with our school review which resulted in very positive feedback and set the direction for our school improvement plan for the next 4 years. We also celebrated NAIDOC Week, swimming programs, 100 days of Prep, 9-12 Formal, Book Week and character dress up day, the Olympics which included our own sports day, to name a few. One of my highlights was ‘Max the Magician’ which was an incursion during book week.
The first day of Term 4 IS NOT a student free day. Students return to school on Monday 7th October 2024. Buses will operate as normal on this day.
I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday break, and we look forward to seeing you all on Monday 7th October for a busy last term of the year.
I hope you all have a lovely holiday break as a family.
Bernadette
The last day of Term 3 is always devoted to celebrating students footy, soccer or other sports teams – mainly as a rev up to the AFL Grand Final. Footy Colours Day is a much-anticipated day at the school when students get to wear their favourite team’s colours to show support for their footy teams. It usually involves lots of excitement, with kids chatting about their teams, and playing footy-related games during break times. Staff student football matches are also hotly contended and enjoyed by all. Recess time saw the staff play against the secondary students and lunchtime the staff played against the primary students. What a great way to finish the term.
R U OK? is a charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. It’s our National Day of Action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling.
You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
- Ask RUOK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in
On Wednesday 18th September we acknowledged this day and held an event for R U OK Day by students and staff wearing yellow to school and completing a range of fun and engaging activities that brought students together to connect.
Thank you to Helena and the Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) for running the day.
For more information please visit: https://www.ruok.org.au/
Take a look at the video below, to see what our students got up to on RUOK day.
School Holiday Activities
Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities. There are plenty of free, low-cost and events and family attractions to choose from.
- City of Melbourne School Holiday Events: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/family-and-kids/school-holidays
- Time Out Melbourne: https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/kids/school-holidays-in-melbourne
- Get Out With Kids: https://getoutwithkids.com.au/school-holiday-activities-melbourne/
Term 4
Over the last two weeks of Term 3, teacher teams have come together to plan for our students' learning for Term 4. Prep to Year 8 classes will continue their learning around Literacy and Numeracy with a focus on Biological Sciences, such as living things, life cycles and adaptation which builds on this terms learning of Physical Sciences. Year 9-12 continue their Work Education programs: World of Work, Victorian Pathways Certificate and ASDAN. Our Staff work hard to ensure that our students have authentic, real-world learning opportunities.
Sun Smart in Term 4
For Primary students from 7th October 2024 to 4th April 2025, all students must wear a sun-protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of this time period, by parent or student choice.
For Secondary students we expect students to take responsibility for their sun safety by wearing a hat during outdoor activities and adopting other sun protection measures such as wearing sunscreen or using shade.
Whole School Relationships and Sexuality Education in Term 4
In Term 4, we will be delivering Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) to students across the whole school. RSE is part of the Victorian Curriculum, mandated through the Child Safe.
Standards and compulsory for Victorian Government Schools (primary, secondary and specialist).
Please refer to the letter attached for further information about the topics that will be covered.
School Saving Bonus
Dear Parents and Carers,
In Term 4, 2024, all families from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.
The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.
Actions for parents and carers
Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:
- Complete enrolment: If your child or children are changing government schools for Term 1 2025 or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
- Check your contact information: Please ensure your email address and phone number are up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us or checking the Xuno Portal.
A member of our administration team will contact families over the coming weeks to ensure your contact details are correct
We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:
- in October, to verify your email address
- in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system.
Please check your junk mail regularly to avoid missing an important email.
To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, please view the attached information sheet below or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.
Download Information Flyer:
Download Letter from the Premier and Deputy Premier: