Corinne Pupillo

Dear Parents, carers & friends of JSA,

As the school year comes to a close and staff are busy preparing for students to step up into their 2026 classrooms next week, I reflect back on the past two weeks with a sense of pride and feel confident that each of our students will move on to 2026, stronger, more resilient and able to manage better in day to day life.

It’s the school’s vision to provide an environment that fosters resilience and lifelong learning, enabling students to be active participants in family and community life and I thank all our staff for your dedication to supporting our students. Our staff go above and beyond each day and make a significant difference in their lives each day.

To our families, your partnership is invaluable. You trust, support and collaborate with your child's team regularly and this makes success possible. Thank you for being partners in your child's education, enabling them to be active participants in all aspects of life.

Graduation events remind us that schools are not just a place for academic growth, it's a community where we all share in each others success, challenges and journeys. I was so proud to present our graduating Year 12 and Year 6 certificates over the past week and have felt great joy as I reflect back to when each of these students walked through the door at JSA for the first time to where they are now in their learning journey.

As you know, I will be taking long service leave from 26 January to 2 October 2026 and returning in Term 4. The school will be in good hands with Dan Moloney Acting Principal for the three Terms. I intend to enjoy my eldest son's wedding in March, spend time with my aging parents, read and plan a "drop and flop" holiday. I'm sure the time will pass quickly, but I will continue to keep connected with JSA during my period of long service leave.

As we approach the festive season, I would like to sincerely thank you all for your hard work and resilience. I encourage you all to take this opportunity to connect with family and friends and enjoy these special times together.

Peace, good health and prosperity to you all.

Year 12 Graduation

Our Year 12 Graduating students celebrated their graduation at the gorgeous Meadows Event Centre in Campbellfield. The Meadows provided an opportunity for staff, graduates and their families to spend time with each other and enjoy each others company. The individual teacher reflection always adds that special personal touch for families and it was evident that the positive connections with families will be missed.

Year 6 Graduation

As the primary years of school ends, students are preparing for the secondary years where the programs become more tailored to meet post-school options. The Year 6 Graduation was held last night in the Yaluk Building and I wish all our Year 6 Graduates every success as they move into their secondary years of schooling.

John Edmonds Memorial Scholarship - Glenroy Lions Club Auxiliary

We are always appreciative of the partnership we have with Glenroy Lion's Club Auxiliary and their long term support for students moving from primary years of schooling to secondary years of schooling. Congratulations to Hazim being the recipient of $200 scholarship.

Santa's Visit

A special shout out to Santa for squeezing his annual visit for us here at JSA. Definitely a lot of very happy faces on that day! Thank you Santa, Merry Christmas.

2026 Student Leaders

Congratulations to the 66 leaders who nominated and have been selected to be part of the 2026 Student Leadership Group.

Thank you to Juri Graco-Ilves for her leadership on the Student Engagement Team and to Irene Gacovski for supporting the weekly PBS Ticket Draw. The Student Engagement Team have submitted an Application for the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support - Platinum Award and I wish you all the best for the application. Thank you to all the Student Engagement Team for their ongoing commitment to Positive Behaviour Support and meeting twice a term to track data and create the cultural calendar for all our students.

The Platinum Award recognises schools that have successfully developed Tier 2 systems, with evidence based interventions and fidelity monitoring.

To achieve platinum level the school must:

satisfy all Gold Award Criteria in 2025.
have taken significant steps to establish Tier 2 systems.
have at least one Tier 2 intervention established.
have evaluated Tier 2 implementation in 2025.

Karla Brown-May will be taking over the leadership of the Student Engagement Team in 2026 as Juri moves over to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role.

Celebrating Staff Achievement

Significant years of service with Department of Education

Congratulations to the following staff for reaching milestone service history with the DE. On Monday, 8 December, we acknowledged four dedicated staff as they reached milestone service history. If you see them, please acknowledge their commitment to public education and to JSA.

John Hill - 45 Years
Susanne Anthony - 25 Years
Michelle McMaster - 25 Years
Daniel Moloney - 22 Years

Celebrating retiring staff

A HUGE congratulations to the following staff who are hanging up their working boots. I'm sure all three of these ladies will continue to learn and grow, but at a slower pace than the typical working day at JSA. On behalf of the school community, thank you for your commitment and dedication to public education and JSA.

Dr Denise Clarke - Leading Teacher
Liz Torcasio - Teacher Aide
Deb Clements - Teacher Aide

Staff Farewell

As the end of the year approaches, we know that at times, staff move on to other employment.

On Friday 19 December, we will farewell the following staff but thank them kindly for their contributions to the lives of students here at JSA.

Staff moving on include:

Jennifer Bals - Social Worker
Saffron Lucas - Teacher Aide
Moeez Munir - Teacher Aide
Blaise Neale - Teacher Aide
Ashley Stace - Classroom Teacher

School Council News

Thank you to all our School Council Representatives, I’ve enjoyed every opportunity to meet and discuss important issues and concerns as well as share the schools’ successes and achievements with you all. Thank you all for your contributions and governorship of our school, it's such important work and am grateful for the time you give us to do this important work.

First School Council Meeting for 2026 will be held on 19th February .

MEMBER	POSITION
Corinne Pupillo	Executive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au
Lisa Sette	Community Representative & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au
VACANCY	Community Representative
Paul Malavisi	Parent Representative
Mark Mansfield	Parent Representative
Chris Ernst	Parent Representative
Savana Bahjat	Parent Representative
Andrew McDonough	Parent Representative
Abdul Qadir Amir Memon	Parent Representative
Mary Boutros	DE Representative
Daniel Moloney	DE Representative

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield
School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Mary Boutros
Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Fiona Micelotta

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 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.
- Acting Primary Sub School Leader: Daniel Moloney
  daniel.moloney@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 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.

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/

Fundraising Committee