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,

 

Where did Term 1 go? It has been an extremely positive start to the school year. There has been so many highlights that the term has passed by so quickly. We started the term with students in their new classrooms and facilities, celebrated by our Official Opening. We have had the Upper Primary and Upper Secondary classes take part in their annual swimming programs. Thank you to all of the families who came to our first morning teas of 2024. Our aim is for families to be better connected with each other and our school. Stay tuned for our upcoming workshop series, including advice on: social media, sleep, toilet training... This week some of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have taken part again in the Warin-Bik Camp where they have made toys; interacted with native animals including dingoes, wombats, koalas and emus; learnt to play native instruments and listened to dreamtime stories by the campfire. Today we had our termly Achievement Assembly where we opened our new PBIS Jackstore. Congratulations Adam (7/8D) for winning the competition for naming our new shop and to all of our award winners. At Jackson, our students collect Jackpoints throughout the week for displaying our school values and expectations. From Term 2, students can now redeem their Jackpoints at the new Jackstore. We have a wide range of items that the students can "purchase" using their Jackpoints.

 

For more information about School-wide Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS) please visit our Community News Page.

 

Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) 2024

 

Today we also announced our 2024 Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT). Over the last couple of weeks, our students have applied and sat an interview for student leader positions. I would like to congratulate all of our successful student leaders, particularly our new school captains.

 

School Captain (Year 10): Jayden

School Vice-Captains (Year 10): Simon

 

Primary Captain: Roisin 

Primary Vice-Captain: Ryliegh

 

Student Leaders: Matthew S, Ella H, Marcus, Emily, Lachlan, Carter, Lawrence, Riley W, Najwa, Amelia, Chan, Kylie, Amy, Angok, Najwan, Jocob, Giovanni, Ngor, Victor, Rose, Callum, Makayla, Hayden, Jacobo, Nick O.

 

Our captains and student leaders play an important role in providing feedback to myself and the leadership team as well as representing the Jackson School at events and greeting important visitors to the school. Our JSLT will also be involved in our upcoming School Review in Term 3 this year. Thank you to our outgoing captains and student leaders for their input and leadership in 2023. 

 

New School Council

 

I would officially like to welcome all new and returning members of School Council.

 

School Councils comprise of parents/carers, the principal, staff, community members and secondary students.

 

Thank you and congratulations to Nerida, Rod and Joe for nominating to be elected to the offices of President & Chair, Vice-President and Treasurer.

  • President & Chair: Nerida Auld (Community Member)
  • Vice-President: Rod Tobin (Parent) 
  • Treasurer: Joseph Lawrence (Parent/Carer)
  • Executive Officer: Anthony Jackson (Principal)
  • Returning Parent Members: Loretta Sultana, Alisha Spargo
  • New Parent Member: Ian Brittle (Parent/Carer)
  • Staff Member: Matthew Gravatt (DE Staff/Business Manager)
  • Community Member (Non-Voting): Marg Keatley
  • Secretary: Jo Garofalo (DE Staff)
  • School Captain: Jayden
  • School Vice-Captain: Simon

For more detailed information on School Council roles and responsibilities, please visit: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-composition-and-office-bearers/policy 

Take part in a quick survey on the experiences of families in specialist schools

 

The Victorian Government is looking into the processes and rules that are used to decide whether students are able to go to specialist schools and settings.

 

To do this, they are asking parents/carers and students to do a survey with questions about your experience in specialist schools.

 

The aim of this work is to see if it can be made easier for students with disability and high needs to enrol in their chosen school.

 

There is a survey for parents and carers of a child with a disability with experience in the specialist school system. There is also a survey for current and former specialist school students.

 

If you would like to do the survey, please click on the link:

Parent/carer survey: https://eysau.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5yZGNJZmnmTYNx4

The survey should take about 10 minutes to do.

 

There is an Easy English version of the both the parent/carer survey and the current/former student survey. If you want one, please email Jordan Landers to ask for one. Jordan’s email address is jordan.landers@au.ey.com.

Today is the last day of Term 1. On Monday 15th April, we have a Curriculum Day for all staff to undertake First Aid and CPR training. The first day of Term 2 for students is Tuesday 16th April. 

 

Things to do these term holidays.

Today, some students took part in an Easter egg hunt. Students also came in today displaying their Easter bonnets made at home. Thank you to families for supporting with this tradition. Many of our community will celebrate Easter these school holidays. Thank you to the Commonwealth Bank for donating chocolate bunnies to the vast majority of our students who attended school on the last day. 

 

 

Many of the Muslims within our community are currently fasting from sunrise to sunset for Ramadan. The first night of Ramadan began on Monday 11th March and will end on the evening of Tuesday 9th April (Eid al-Fitr). Ramadan is a month of self-reflection and a way for Muslims to develop positive habits that can be continued and encouraged once Ramadan is over. As part of our new buildings, we have created a prayer room for our staff and students to pray privately during the school day. 

 

I hope you have a lovely holiday break as a family.

 

Anthony