Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear Parents & friends of JSA,

Staffing Update 

In the last newsletter I advised the community that Secondary Sub School Leader, Linda Wakeling will be on leave until further notice and as such we temporarily appointed  Dan Moloney and Ashley Stace to share the role in Linda's absence. 

From next week onwards, Ashley Stace will be acting Sub School Leader.   Please contact Ashley in the event you need to speak to the Secondary Sub School Leader. 

ashley.stace@education.vic.gov.au

2024 Class Lists - reminder 

The 2024 Class lists will be distributed to parents and carers on Friday 1st December 2023, a week prior to transition week which commences on Tuesday 12 December 2023. 

Whilst we are continuing to recruit for teaching staff for 2024, we are anticipating that not all classrooms will have a classroom teacher next year.  Ongoing staffing shortages across the state, is the main reason for this, however we are endvouring to secure some of our usual CRT's in the event this occurs.  

PASS Awards 

Principals Association of Specialist School (PASS) annual awards ceremony was held on Friday 17 November where a number of staff and Irene's sister celebrated being shortlisted for the Outstanding Education Support category.  Unfortunately Irene didn't take out the award but we are very grateful for her commitment to the weekly Positive Behaviour Support Ticket Draw  and how she has built the confidence and leadership skills of the student leaders.  

Celebrating Success: Student Awards 

Valuing the partnership between home and school and the co-construction of learning goals has been something that I have observed over time as a key ingredient in students' growth.   

A journey where sometimes we support you and other times, you support us. 

Developing successful and resilient children requires a long-term focus and commitment and collaboration from us all.

Celebrating milestones and individual achievements where we link individual achievement to the curriculum further strengthens the inclusivity for all students.

Primary Awards 

Students in the Primary Sub School are provided with more immediate recognition for their success. Fortnightly Star of the Week awards provides students with feedback and recognition of their effort and success.  

Middle and Secondary Awards 

The sub-school awards for 2023 will be presented by the Sub-School Leader and a member of the Principal Class Team to students in their individual classrooms and they will celebrate with classroom peers.

• Middle Sub School: Tuesday 5 December
• Secondary Sub School:  Monday 27 November.

2023 School Service Award - this award recognises student/s who set an example and acts as a strong role model to others in the school by; 

• taking initiative to further their involvement within the school community
• maintaining a cheerful, positive attitude and brings enthusiasm to the school
• reaching out to all members of the school, regardless of different grades
• willing to do tasks without being asked twice
• participating in an array of school events
• displaying a continuous commitment towards supporting the school

2023 Hume Whittlesea LLEN Vocational Education Awards 

Rob Ball, Kerry Norton, Karen McLachlan and myself attended the 2023 Hume Whittlesea LLEN awards held at RMIT on Wednesday 22 November and we were so proud of our students and how they are celebrated with their peers in other schools across Hume and Whittlesea. It's a real honour for our students to be recognised for excelling in vocational education in our local schools. The HWLLEN Vocational Education Awards are proudly supported by Hume City Council, the City of Whittlesea, and the Hume and Whittlesea Youth Commitments, and celebrate student achievements in VCAL, VET and SBAT. 

These Awards aim to promote the importance and relevance of vocational education and training pathways and celebrate the students’ engagement and achievements within their chosen fields. The awards are based on the student’s results, attitudes and achievements, which are nominated by their schools and are endorsed through recommendations from employers, teachers and work placement coordinators.

Congratulations to the following 2023 HWLLEN Vocational Education Award recipients for our school.  Well done to you all. 

Senior Secondary Students 

Students in Year 12 are able to attend school until Wednesday 20 December and students in Year 11 are also encouraged to remain at school until  Wednesday 20 December unless they have work experience. 

Term 4  PUPIL FREE Days:

• Monday 11 December - preparing for transition week commencing Tuesday 12 December .  

School Council News 

The final School Council for 2023 will be on Thursday, 7 December  at 5.30 pm.

Change to JSA School Council size and composition 

After much collaboration and deliberation School Council wrote to the Department of Education and Training to request an amendment to the size and composition of Jacana School for Autism.

This was endorsed by the Minster of Education, Dr David Howes on 26 October 2023 

Jacana School for Autism new constitution includes 11 members.

• 6 Parent Members 
• 3 Department Employees 
• 2 Student Reps (currently exempt ) 

REMINDERS

Unwell Students 

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 Page 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/

Virtual School Tour 

Our virtual school tour is now live on our school website.   Please check it out and refer any members of the community to our page. 

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