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,

"Concert in the Hall"

Thank you for much for all of the families who were able to attend our 2024 Concert in the Hall on Monday. Thank you again for your flexibility with the last minute changes. We are pleased that more students were able to perform with their peers than are usually able to do so in the evening. At least we avoided the 42 degree heat and 40km winds. We were so proud of our students for performing so well considering they hadn't yet done a dress rehearsal in the hall. You all did an amazing job! I would also like to congratulate our hosts, our Student Leaders - Carter Savage and Riley Wilson. You were stars! Lastly, I would like to thank Helena, Nikki, Michael and the team of staff who made the concert possible. If you weren't able to join us on day, you can watch the video mash up here:

Year 6 Graduation & Achievement Assembly

Despite Monday's weather, we were however able to come together in the courtyard yesterday for our Annual Achievement Assembly where we celebrate our success and achievements aligned to our school values of: Learning, Independence, Safety, Respect and Responsibility. Congratulations to all of our award winners!

This is also where we celebrate our students who are graduating from our Primary School and moving into Year 7 next year. On Friday, our Primary students took part in their Primary Celebration Day where students took part in a range of activities. Students across the school also took part in our Water Play Day.

Whole School Step-up Day

On Thursday 12th December our students took part in their Whole-School Step-up Day where they got to meet their new teacher and education support staff for 2025. This was a great success and gave us a taster of what classes will be like next year. A lot of preparation and staff input is given creating our classes, but as always there have been some minor changes to class placements based upon staff feedback from the Transition Day. This week you would have been notified by email of your child's 2025 class teacher and education support staff. Please find below a social story to support your child's transition into next year.

New Year of Learning Webpage

The Department of Education have created the New year of learning webpage to help families, and students of all year levels, prepare for a new year of learning in 2025.

The webpage includes:

tips to help transition from early childhood education to Prep, and primary to secondary school
what to expect at school
where to find help with school costs and fees
health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health
learning and disability supports.

More resources and information, case studies and videos to the webpage throughout 2025.

On this webpage there is also a useful link to the Better Health Channel which has practical tips and resources to support your child with: anxiety, bullying, behaviour, sleep, communication etc.

Semester 2 Reports to Parents/Carers

Yesterday you will have received your child's end of semester reports by email which outlines your child's achievement and progress against their learning goals based upon the Victorian Curriculum or VPC/ASDAN in Years 11 & 12. These are based upon robust end-of-term assessments and teacher's professional judgement. There is a section for you to provide any comments or feedback to the classroom teacher on your child's report should you wish.

This semester, 95% of students made good progress or above in their ILP goals across all learning areas. This is an amazing achievement. Well done to our students and staff for all their hard work. Our Literacy and Numeracy assessment results also show we are above like special schools across the state.

Parents and carers are able to request a hard copy of their child’s report if they would like one through their current or next year's teacher. If you have not received an email from us please make sure your email address is correct with our school office or download your child's report on Xuno.

All of your child's 2024 ILPs and Reports are also available on Xuno. Parents and carers will have an opportunity to discuss your child's progress from Semester 2 and their proposed learning goals for Semester 1 2023 at your Student Support Group (SSG) parent-teacher interviews in Term 1.

Thank you

Today is the last day of the school year for students and staff. On Thursday staff will meet for a Curriculum Day to work together to share information about your children to ensure that our students transition into 2025 successfully.

A reminder, School Council have agreed on our Pupil Free Days (Curriculum Days and Common Professional Practice Days) for next year. These are:

Tuesday 28th January - Day 1 Term 1 (Welcome New Staff / New SSP / Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Changes)
Wednesday 29th January - Day 2 Term 1 (School Operations & Professional Learning)
Monday 22nd April - Day 1 Term 2 (ASD Professional Learning)
Monday 3rd November - Melbourne Cup Eve (Assessment & Reporting)
Thursday 18th December (Student Transition)

The first day for students in 2025 will be Thursday 30th January.

It has been a very busy year with our official school opening, school review, and lots of audits. As another busy year draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity once again to thank you all of our community for your incredible support this year with your child's education. Without the shared commitment from our families and hard work from our students this would not be possible - Thank you!

We say goodbye to the following teachers Jack, Yaqi and Thai who have been successful in positions at other schools. Louise and Lucy are finishing with us as they continue casual work. Cody will start her maternity leave in Term 1 pending the arrival of Baby No 2. Dimity also has some planned long service leave in 2025. We also say goodbye to the following education support staff who have been successful in positions: Steph, Caleb, Miles Leyla and Joelyna. On behalf of the community, I would like to thank all of you for your contribution to our students during your time working with us.

Check out Christmas activities in Brimbank, Melton and Melbourne our Community News Page.

I hope you all have a well-deserved break and I look forward to seeing you all in 2025.

Merry Christmas!

Anthony