Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

The weather is improving and it's great to see students enjoying  some of the outdoor recreation spaces.  I encourage you to support your child to bring a sun hat to school to protect them from the UV rays particularly as not all our recreational spaces have complete shade.  The school has a severe weather policy which is enacted in certain situations.  If you would like to view our extreme weather policy or any other operational policy, please contact the office or check out the schools website 

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

2026 Planning - Acting Principal 

At the School Council meeting last night I notified the members that I would be taking Long Service Leave from 28 January - October (three terms) next year.   It has never been my intention to take such a long period of leave however my personal circumstances have changed and I have five elderly parent/in-laws that I would like to spend more time with as they require more and more personal care and support.   I have been planning ahead for this over the past 3 terms, ensuring the school's operations continue to work efficiently and we have a stable workforce moving from 2025 to 2026.   We cannot always see what's around the corner but the school has a very clear vision and purpose and this will provide a guiding light for the Acting Principal. Earlier this week, I was notified that our current Assistant Principal Daniel Moloney was succcessful in gaining the Acting Principal position whilst I am on leave. 

Congratulations to Dan, I know the school will be in good hands in 2026.   Dan will be a stable influence for the school community with his strong understanding of the students, staff and families, commencing at JSA in 2019 as a leading teacher (our first middle years sub school leader) and has been a driving force for Victorian Curriculum including the Pathways program at JSA.   Establishing the foundations for learning and wellbeing will be an asset for him in the new role.  

We are currently advertising within the school for an Acting Assistant Principal to replace Dan and we look forward to welcoming Assistant Principal Stephanie Torchia back in 2026.  

Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser - 18 October 

On Saturday 18 October, 14 family members and staff joined the fundraising team for a fun day at Broadmeadows Bunnings.   Cooking copious amounts of sausages and onions, serving the community of Broadmeadows and surrounds. 

Shout out to the following volunteers, I am so grateful to the following for their wonderful support.   I know I had a lovely time connecting with the locals from Broady on a beautiful sunny day as well as raising funds for the students.  This fundraiser event raised approximately $2493.29 which is wonderful effort by everyone. 

Acknowledgments: 

Glenroy Lions Club Auxiliary  - for their donation of sausages, bread and onions.  

Broadmeadows Bunnings - for the community partnership we've had since 2006. 

Families 

• Kristen Ballerini (Fundraising Co-ordinator) 
• Deb Brereton
• Peter Eti
• Dora Tsiaras
• Michael Lingham
• Radha Fayad

• Nass Fayad

   

Staff 

• Irene Gacovski 
• Daniel Moloney 
• Ellen Paterson
• Vanessa Tucker 
• KK Wong 

Term 4 Student Support Group Meetings

This term, our SSG meetings are held:

• Week 6: Monday 10 November - Thursday 13 November
• Week 7: Monday 17 November - Thursday 20 November
• Week 8: Monday 24 November - Thursday 27 November

Communication with Staff Policy 

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 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:  Daniel Moloney

    daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au

  • Middle Years Sub School Leader: Amelia Frantz amelia.frantz@education.vic.gov.au
  • Secondary Sub School Leader; Stefania Mantinioti  stefania.mantinioti@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 Principal/Assistant Principals on 

  9309 6258. 

  • Principal: 

    Corinne Pupillo | corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au

  • Assistant Principal [Inclusion and Wellbeing] : 

    Daniel Moloney | daniel.moloney@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. 

School Council

School Council met last night and the following policies were endorsed: 

• AAC Policy 2025 

• Bus Management Policy and Workbook 2025 

• Extreme Weather Conditions Policy 2025 

• Holocaust Policy 2025 

• Personal Care Policy 2025 

• Student Illness (Infectious Disease) Policy 2025 

• Student Medical Care Policy 2025 

If you would like a copy of these revised policies or any other policy, please contact reception. 

The final School Council meeting for 2025 will be held on Thursday 4 December 2025

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield 

• School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Mary Boutros 

• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative –  Fiona Micelotta 

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/