Welcome Back!

Term 1 2023

Welcome back to the start of a new school year. I hope you’ve all had a well-earned, relaxing break after a very busy year for us all. Many professionals I talk with have expressed how last year was one of the most challenging they have faced. We should all be immensely proud of our success and resilience in navigating the challenges we faced whilst continuing to offer quality and authentic learning opportunities for our students. Thank you!

Personally, it has been lovely to spend quality time together as a family. My cousin paid us a visit early in the new year from the UK, where we were able to show her the sites in Geelong and across the Bellarine. We then we able to spend two weeks in Bali for Han's Dad's 70th. Bali was a good Aussie initiation as I approach my Australian citizenship. Whether you were able to get away or spent time at home watching the Australian Open, I hope you were able to turn off from work and you feel refreshed to start back at work. At least the sun eventually came out to play!

Workforce & HR

Despite the many staffing and recruiment challenges faced across the state, I am proud that we are starting the 2023 academic year with all classes assigned a teacher and education support staff member. We will continue to recruit staff throughout the year to ensure that we are able to run the school at full capacity to ensure our students the very best learning opportunities. Many schools are still struggling to fill positions.

On behalf of the Jackson School Community, I would like to officially welcome our new staff for 2023. Teachers: Chloe, Sue M, Thai, Michael, Taleisha. Education Support Staff: Manu, Kate, Isobella, Kristen. Art Therapists: Tori and Laura. A full staff list is available in the Admin Update page.

Jaclyn, Gabrielle M, Uzer, Eva, Gabby RM, Jo, Vu and Ben have been appointed as Assistant Learning Specialists (PLT Leaders) for 2023. Sarah (Literacy), Jacqui (Numeracy), Laura (Inclusion), Vu (Jobs, Skills & Pathways) and Ian (Health & Fitness) also take on Assistant Learning Specialist roles to support the School Improvement Team.

Kristina now takes on the HR Manager role but will continue to support office administration (SDTP Buses, State School Relief, Uniform). Helen P in her role as the Health and Safety Rep (HSR) will also work with Phil Cox on OHS. Ingrid will support Bern with PSD/Enrolment Admin. Kat will continue in her role in the cafe running our supported work experience program. Jodie will continue to support the specialist team in her full-time role.

Congratulations to all of the staff who were successful in being appointed to a new position or position of responsibility for 2023.

The leadership team will continue to focus on our SSP goals and AIP actions and activities in three smaller School Improvement Teams: Achievement, Engagement and Wellbeing. These are as follows:

Achievement SIT: Anthony (Chair), Kelly (LT Curriculum & Assessment), Gabi M (Professional Learning). Assistant Learning Specialists (Sarah, Jacqui, Vu & Laura) may also work with this team on school-wide SSP projects.
Engagement SIT: Anthony (Chair), Bern (LT Transition & Partnerships), Matt (Business & Operations Manager). Assistant Learning Specialists (Vu & VACANT PSD/DI) may also work with this team on school-wide SSP projects.
Wellbeing SIT: Robyn (Chair), Julie (LT Disability Inclusion), Michelle (LT Mental Health & Wellbeing), Helena (LT Community Engagement), Alex (Social Worker & Child Safety Officer). Assistant Learning Specialists (Ian & Laura) may also work with this team on school-wide SSP projects.

Staff will have an opportunity to contribute to our strategic direction in additional School Improvement Teams (SIT) during Terms 2 and 3.

The whole leadership team works closely together on whole-school priorities and initiatives and meet in Weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8 each term.

Click below to download the School Structure for 2023:

Distributed Leadership Structure 2023

Buildings & Grounds

Our $12 million School Building Upgrade has Begun!

It has been a busy January at Jackson School. Rendine Modularity have now begun our school building upgrade. Contractors over the holiday period have been demolishing sections of the admin building (Library, Food Technology, Fitness Room, Performing Arts, First Aid Room, Photocopy Room, Staff Toilets); preparing for our first modular Prep-Year 1 classrooms and Therapy Centre to be delivered in February; and clearing the rear of the site for our new ten classroom Years 5-8 building. These spaces will be out of bounds during construction to staff and students. Hoarding has been erected to ensure the safety of our students during construction. It would be useful for you to walk our students around the school site to look at where the building works are to reduce anxiety. There will be noise during construction which may cause some distress to our students. The project is due to be completed around Term 4 2023.

We are also waiting for our large basketball shade sail to be completed in Term 1. This construction has unfortunately been delayed. The materials will be delivered onsite next Wednesday. This will provide an undercover learning space for classes, physical education lessons, community events and staff meetings/professional learnings.

Thank you to Phil Cox and Graeme for your work over the holiday period. It's been a hectic one for you!

Curriculum Days - Friday 28th and Monday 30th January

Our curriculum days will commence at 9am on Friday 27th and 8:30 on Monday 30th. Staff should arrive at school by 8:15am. Individual morning tea and lunch will be provided on Friday only. There will not be a coffee van this year due to lack of availability. Due to our limited site and ongoing construction works, we will all be meeting for part of each day in the first half of the hall. Due to the second half being used for storage we will need to sit in rows instead of in teams.

The first curriculum day will be focused on school operations, outlined in this bulletin, to begin the school year. We will also launch our 2023 AIP and how this aligned to staff PDPs. Phil Cox will also give an OHS/Emergency Management Briefing related to our school building upgrade followed by OHS induction for new staff.

Our second curriculum day on Monday will be focused on our medical compliance for the year (Asthma, Epilepsy and Midazolam training). Those involved in Midazlolam training should have been notified at the end of last term. Staff will be given the remainder of the time to set-up classrooms and areas, as well as meet with staff/teams as required.

For more detailed information on other areas of School Operations please click on the pages on the left for important updates ready to start the school year. These include:

I hope you enjoy the remainder of your break and I look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Anthony