Acting Principal's 

News Flash 

Daniel Moloney  - Acting Principal

Hi everybody,

As we reach the end of  Term 3, we notice that staff and students begin to think about the prospects of 2 weeks off school to rest and recuperate. It has been lovely observing more sunny weather outside allowing our students to play and enjoy the fresh air more often.

Steph, Ellen and I wish everybody a lovely 2-week break, planning a safe return to school on Monday, 5th October.

JSA Staff Farewells

At the end of term, we sadly farewell: 

• Acting Assistant Principal - Ellen Paterson
• Room 2 Classroom Teacher - Sarah Meyer

Ellen Paterson has been with us for the last 7 terms. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in implementing various new and existing systems to support the teaching and learning practices we have here at JSA. Ellen's skills, knowledge and warm approach to this Assistant Principal role will be missed as she returns to Glenroy Specialist School in Term 4.

We also acknowledge Sara Meyers. Whilst only being with us, since the beginning of Term 3, Sara has had a significant impact on our Room 2 students and the team. We wish her all the best as she begins a new teaching role closer to home.

Thank you and Welcome Back!

I would like to thank everybody personally for their ongoing support in my Acting Principal Role for Terms 1-3. It has been a rewarding experience and I look forward to working with you in my original Assistant Principal role next term.

In saying so, I would like to welcome back our substantive principal, Corinne Pupillo, from leave in Term 4. It will be great to have Corinne back leading the Principal Class Team.

School Policy Updates

Our last School Council meeting was held on Thursday, 10th September.

The following policies were recently endorsed by our School Council:

• Anaphylaxis Policy

• Asthma Policy

• Bullying Prevention Policy

• Camps and Excursion Policy

• Human Resources Policy

• JSA Emergency Management Plan

• Parents Payments Policy

• Staff Part Time Work Time Fraction Policy

Please note that all existing policies are found on our JSA Website under the following Policy tabs:

• Child Safety

• Management 

• Occupational Health & Safety

• Parent Payments

• Teaching & Learning

We encourage the ongoing engagement of our families. Any feedback or discussions you may have can be forwarded to me directly. 

Communication with Staff Policy (Revised 12 December for 2026)

Jacana School for Autism understands the importance of providing helpful and timely responses to common enquiries from parents and carers. To ensure that members of our school community are directed to the most appropriate person to assist them, the information below outlines key contacts for common queries: 

• to report a student absence, please text the Student Absence Line on 0439 114 197

• to report any urgent issues relating to a student on a particular day, please contact the general office on 9309 6258 

• to discuss a student’s academic progress, health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s classroom teacher/ sub school leader. 

• Primary Sub School Leader:  Zoe Pirotta | zoe.pirotta2@education.vic.gov.au

• Middle Years Sub School Leader: Stefania Mantinioti | stefania.mantinioti@education.vic.gov.au
• Secondary Sub School Leader: Amelia Frantz | amelia.frantz@education.vic.gov.au
• Senior Secondary Sub School Leader: Sean Procko | sean.procko@education.vic.gov.au

• For enquiries regarding camps and excursions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. 

• to make a complaint, please contact the Acting Principal/Assistant Principals on 

  9309 6258. 

  • Acting Principal: 

    Daniel Moloney | daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au

  • Assistant Principal [Inclusion and Wellbeing] : 

    Stephanie Torchia | stephanie.torchia@education.vic.gov.au

  • Assistant Principal [Teaching and Learning]:
  • Ellen Paterson | ellen.paterson@education.vic.gov.au

Please also refer to our Complaints Policy, available on the school website:

https://www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/policies/management/

• to report a potential hazard or incident on the school site, please contact:

  OHS Manager Nominee 

  Mary Boutros on 9309 6258 or mary.boutros@education.vic.gov.au

• for parent payments, please contact the general office on 9309 6258

• for all other enquiries, please contact our Office on 9309 6258 

School staff will do their best to respond to general queries as soon as possible and ask that you allow us 2-3 working days to provide you with a detailed response. We will endeavour to respond to urgent matters within 24 hours where possible. 

Unwell students

If your child is presenting with cold and flu like symptoms we kindly ask families to keep your child at home if they are experiencing symptoms. 

Each morning when students are getting ready for school, I ask that you be mindful of how your child is presenting.  If they/he/she is feeling/looking/acting unusual or is complaining of being unwell please take them to the doctor. Minimising the cross-infection will assist in reducing the risk of spreading bugs and viruses.

All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student's name, room number and reason for absence.

Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts: 

Student Absence Line: 0439 114 197

Reminder: Our newsletter is published each fortnight and will provide you with important information about the school and events that may be of interest to you. I encourage you to read the newsletter that will be sent home via your home email, on the school's Facebook and Instagram Page, Seesaw or on the school's website. 

JSA also has a Facebook and Instagram Page. Please like and follow our pages.

https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism

https://www.instagram.com/jacana.school/

School Website 

https://www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/