Jacana School for Autism Newsletter

Assistant 

Principal News Flash 

                                                         Dan Moloney & Ellen Paterson

 

Ellen Paterson                         Daniel Moloney 

 

 

2026 Parent Preference Letter

This week you will receive the 2026 Parent Preference letter via your child's communication diary. This letter allows you an opportunity to provide valuable feedback about your child's needs for 2026.

We invite you to share feedback on the following key areas:

  • Placement with peers your child works well with and enjoys being around

  • Specific needs your child may have, such as communication support, personal care, emotional regulation, transitions, motivators, or additional learning support

  • Confirmed dual placement plans for your child (if applicable)

  • Plans to leave JSA in 2026

We kindly ask you to return the form by Friday 5th September. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us about the process.

 

2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey:

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK! 

 

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18 August to Friday 19 September 2025.

All families are invited to participate in the survey.

 

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. We will have iPads available at school reception for you to complete survey.

 

Survey results will be communicated to parents/caregivers/guardians through our annual reporting. 

 

You will receive more information about the survey via your child's communication diary and email next week when the survey opens.

Bullying No Way National Week of Action

This year, JSA will be participating in the Bullying No Way:

National Week of Action, 11 to 15 August 2025.

 

Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying. The theme for this year's campaign is 'Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up'.

 

If your child tells you about things at school, or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. You can learn more about what defines bullying at bullyingnoway.gov.au.

Questions you could ask:

  • What do you think bullying is?

  • Have you seen it? How did you feel?

  • Have you ever felt scared at school because of bullying?

  • As well as me, who are the other adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?

  • Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?

  • Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Remind your child that bullying is never okay and discuss how they can respond safely if they experience or witness it.

 

Encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult and keep seeking support if needed.

By promoting open communication, we empower children to stand up against bullying and create a safer environment where everyone can feel that they belong.

 

Semester 2 Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

This semester, we will be distributing your child's Individual Education Plans at the end of Week 6 (Friday, 29th August). This is an earlier time than previous years, as we indeed to provide our teachers with enough teaching time to assess and re-teach new concepts and skills in time for reports in mid Term 4. 

 

Keep an eye out for Ellen's email on the 29th.