Principal's Message

Jackson School is a collaborative learning community for all. We aim to develop independence through safety, respect and responsibility. We aspire to offer authentic, quality educational experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. We share and celebrate our successes and achievements.   

The Issue Highlights

• Literacy & Numeracy Week Winners: READ - GROW - Inspire
• Welcome Jo and Sharon to our community
• Speech Pathology Week - Thank you!
• Build Update: New Prep-2 Playground
• Sunsmart Video from the JSLT
• Dharra School Information
• Thank you Nerida and PCFA for running the Father's Day Stall
• Students of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
• Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary and Secondary
• Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
• Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.
• School Dates -For the most up-to-date calendar dates, always refer to the Xuno Calendar in your Parent Portal.

Dear Families,

READ - GROW - Inspire (Literacy & Numeracy Week)

This week our students have celebrated Literacy and Numeracy Week. At Jackson we typically coincide this with Children's Book Week. Most schools would have celebrated this last week. Many of our students dressed up as a character from their favourite book or movie today - and didn't they look fantastic?! Thank you to parents/carers for supporting this. We know it's a lot of work. Thank you also to all the staff who dressed-up for our students.

The theme of this year was "READ - GROW - Inspire". In Literacy and Numeracy Week student's don't follow their normal learning program but instead undertake a range of different learning activities. Teachers were asked to "inspire" our students by sharing their own passions with the students as well as exploring our students wider interests. This has included: plane building, biscuit decorating, scavenger hunts, yoga, golfing, science experiments, craft activities, sensory experienced and baking.

Students have also read and voted on their favourite book from the 2023 CBCA Book Of The Year Award, Winner And Honour books. Our leadership team have read these for students this week and I had the privilege of reading our winning text, "Where the LYREBIRD Lives", in assembly today. Thank you to all of the classes for voting. 

Classes also took part in the decorate their door competition. There were some amazing examples this year. Students and their staff member have put in a lot of effort. Thank you. And our winners are...

Prep-2 Winner: PA

Year 3/4 Winner: 3/4C

Year 5-6 Winner: 4-6C

Year 7/8 Winner: 7/8A

Year 9-10 Winner: 9/10C

Year 11/12 Winner: ASDAN A

School Winner: Congratulations 9/10D! I loved the link to the class text, Holes, the texture of the sand and hand-crafted shovel. 

Congratulations to Amy H and Ni Tin Pa for winning the "Who Inspires You Poster". 

Congratulations to Pearl, Shailene and Jensen for winning the "Bookmark Competition". 

Congratulations Zavier, Roisin, Tyler W, Riley W, Daniel for winning the "Character Dress-up". You all looked amazing! 

Welcome to Jo and Sharon!

Jo commenced this week and undertakes the role of Executive Assistant in supporting the Principal Team and as School Council Secretary. Sharon commences with us on Monday in the role of Admin Manager who will also support our Attendance Team. Both Jo and Sharon will work on reception, so say hello when you visit or telephone the school office. We look forward to working with you both.

Karen will continue in her role as OSHC Project Manager to oversee the High Intensity OSHC program with Their Care. Kristina will continue to work with families around our Student with Disabilities Transport Program (SDTP). Anna continues to manage the school finances including parent payments. 

Speech Pathology Week

Last week was Speech Pathology Week. Speech Pathology Week promotes the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists. Communication is a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week helps to raise awareness of communication disability and the role of speech pathologists. The theme for speech pathology week is “ Communicating for Life”. At Jackson School, all staff play an integral part supporting our students' communication across their early and later years of school.

Thank you to our amazing Speech Pathologists Briana and Naanthini (and Rachel who is currently on leave) for the work you do everyday and the value you add to all of the staff and support for our students. Our Speech Pathologists run weekly workshops with staff on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) called PrAACtically Speaking. This week they have also created our first book week video using AAC.

Our speechies would also like to thank the WHOLE SCHOOL community for learning and working with them to ensure all our students are get the support they need and deserve.

Build Update

The contractors have completed the admin corridor with new first aid room, conference room, disabled WC, resource room / IT office and the hugely sought after staff toilets. We are still waiting for the building surveyor to sign off us using this space. 

From next week our Prep-2 students will be able to use their new playground. They have waited very patiently observing the progress through the window. This can linked beautifully with their class text "Window" by Jeannie Baker. 

Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT)

Here is the latest video from our Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) about being SunSmart.

For Primary students from 14th August to 30 April 2023, all students must wear a sun-protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April time period, by parent or student choice. 

For Secondary students we expect students to take responsibility for their sun safety by wearing a hat during outdoor activities and adopting other sun protection measures such as wearing sunscreen or using shade.  

When the UV is 3 or above, be SunSmart!

Dharra School (Aintree Specialist School)

Dharra (pronounced darr-rah) is a Woi-wurrung word of the Wurundjeri people meaning white hawk. Lizzie the Principal of the new Dharra School has now appointed Dharra's foundation Assistant Prinicpal, Chris Malane.

Families who are interested in enrolling at Dharra School in 2024 can make an appointment to have a coffee and a chat with Lizzie and/or Chris at the Woodlea Sales Hub at 25 Aintree Bvd, Aintree VIC 3335. To book a time, email: dharra.s@education.vic.gov.au 

Click here to follow Dharra School's new facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DharraSchool/

Thank you to all of our parents and carers who have completed the Department's parent, guardian and caregiver survey. You opinion matters to us. If you have been chosen but haven't yet responded next week is the last week to give us your feedback. Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Father's Day Stall

Thank you to Nerida (School Council President), Crystallee, Michelle, Heather and Beatriz as part of our Parents, Carers and Friends Association (PCFA) for running the Father's Day Stall today at school. I hope all of the Dads and Grandads within our community have a lovely Father's Day this weekend.

Anthony