Jackson School Newsletter

Principal's Message

Anthony Jackson (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

Dear Families,

 

Student Support Group (SSGs) Parent-Teacher Meetings

 

Thank you to all families who participated in our termly Parent-Teacher Student Support Group (SSG) Meetings this week. The purpose of the SSGs are to establish a strong home-school relationship, complete your child's Individual Education Plan & Learner Profile and review progress against your child's “Long Term” goals. The Term 1 SSGs are also an opportunity to discuss your child' Individual Learning Plan Goals for Semester 1. Following your SSG your child's teacher will finalise your child's Semester 1 Individual Learning Plan (ILP). These will be emailed to families once they are published and will also be available on Xuno for you to access anytime. We aim to have every child’s parent or carer meet with the classroom teacher to discuss the learning of each child. Apologies that two teachers were absent on the day and unable to complete your SSGs. Parents of students in Class 1/2C and Class 3/4A will receive your SSG invites shortly. If you have not yet had an opportunity to make an appointment to meet with your child's teacher, please contact them on SeeSaw to make a time. Thank you for your ongoing partnership with us. 

Official Opening Special - Update

 

On Friday 9th February, our new school buildings were officially opened by The Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP, Local Member for St Albans, Minister for Youth, Minister for Veterans and Minister for Small Business on behalf of the Deputy Premier / Minister for Education. Additional to the information sent in Issue 2 of the Newsletter, please find below a post from the Minister, an article in Star Weekly and LOTS of official photos!

 

Reminder about Student Mobile Phone Use

A reminder that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away during school hours (8:45am-3:00pm).

 

The department is requiring all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced from the start of the 2024 school year.

 

The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state.

This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions. 

 

By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones can cause.

 

I ask for the support of all our families, staff and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school. 

 

Student Transport Buses: Mobile phones are permitted when travelling to and from school. However, SDTP Bus Supervisors must report any inappropriate use of or behaviour in relation to mobile phone use by students (inappropriate context, videoing other students, taking photos on the bus). Mobile Phones and wearable devices should not be used before (8:45-9:00) and after school (2:50-3:00) whilst on school grounds.

 

Exceptions: For a small number of students with particular health needs, an exception to the policy may be granted. Please contact your Sub-School Leading Teacher if you would like to discuss this.

 

Emergencies: In the event of an emergency or if you need to immediately contact your child, I ask that families contact the school office who will pass on a message as required.

 

School mobile phone policy: A copy of our school’s local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context, is available here: https://newsletters.naavi.com/i/kNVR13N/mobile-phones/page/cover

 

Parent support: The Mobile phones in schools webpage provides links to resources for families to help them balance their children’s time using mobile phones.

 

Download guidance for parents in different languages: https://www.vic.gov.au/mobile-phones-schools#download-guidance-for-parents-in-different-languages 

SunSmart

 

 

Here is a video from our Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) about being SunSmart.

 

For Primary students from 14th August to 30 April 2023, 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 the August to April 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. 

 

Many of our students find it difficult to know when to dress appropriately. They need constant reminders and prompting to wear sun hats and take off coats/jumpers in hot weather. On extreme heat days (adverse weather) our students may spend recess and lunch inside rather than playing outside. 

 

Free Little Angler Kits from the Victorian Government

The Victorian Government is investing $1.5 million from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund to provide up to 95,000 'Little Angler Kits' students in specialist schools across Victoria, free of charge. These kits aim to offer children and their families a school holiday activity while promoting environmental stewardship and fostering a love for nature among children. 

 

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has now delivered the kits to Jackson School. Each Little Angler Kit includes a fishing rod, reel, line, tackle box, tackle and information on how to use the equipment to catch fish. It is important to note the tackle tray includes fishing hooks. The tackle tray will be wrapped in cardboard and placed inside a pocket inside the fishing kit bag, which will be sealed with a cable tie to discourage students from opening their kits unless they are with a parent or carer.

 

The program is voluntary. You can choose to opt out of receiving a Little Angler Kit for any reason. When we receive the packs, Parents/Carers will be asked to collect the Angler Kit from school to ensure the safety of all of our students on the way home from school. Further information about this will follow soon. We recognise that these kits will not be suitable for all of our students due to safety concerns and their sensory needs.

 

If you have already opted into receiving a Little Angler Kit, these will be sent home with your child next week. If you would prefer to collect these from the office, please contact Jo Garofalo asap. 

 

FAQ for Families: https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/go-fishing-victoria/little-angler-kit-project/faqs-for-parents 

 

Family Fishing Guide: https://vfa.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/864539/7176-VFA-Fishing-Guide-2022-7.0.pdf

School Council Nominations

 

Jackson School’s School Council is the voice of the parents on how we run our school. 

 

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. School Council is the governing body of the school and plays an important role in our community. School Council has four main responsibilities:

  1. Governance: establish the broad direction and vision for the school within the community. They oversee school buildings and grounds (facility hire, maintenance and improvements) as well as other contracts including: Out of School Hours Care (OSHC).
  2. Strategic Planning: contributes to the finalisation of the School Strategic Plan and development of the Annual Implementation Plan and reports annually (Annual report) to the school community. 
  3. Finance:  monitors school revenue and expenditure and approves school budgets including for parent voluntary contributions and camps and excursions.
  4. Policy & Review: ratifies DE and school-level policy decisions (including child safe standards), participates in the school review pre-review evaluation and review panel.

Over the last 12 months, Jackson School Council have been heavily involved in our school building upgrade and school improvements. School Council have contributed school funds towards our capital works program, including our Basketball Canopy. 

 

For more information please see: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-overview/overview or download the following fact sheet: 

 

School Council Fact Sheet

 

We are looking for new members to join our school council, in the following categories:

  • 2 Parent Members
  • 1 Optional Community Member
  • 2 School Employee Members
  • 2 Elected Student Members (usually our School Captain and Vice-Captain)

Jackson School Council meet each 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are run very efficiently and usually take about 1 and a half hours. All members of the community are welcome to attend our Public Reporting Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 19th March at 6:30pm onsite at Jackson School. 

 

If you would like to join our school council as a parent/community member, please complete the attached self-nomination and hand back to the school office or email: josephine.garofalo@education.vic.gov.au.

 

FORM 2&3 SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.pdf

 

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

Anthony