Principal's Desk 

Corinne Pupillo 

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Remote and Flexible Learning 

As we approach week 5 of lockdown 6.0, I look towards the silver lining.

Feeling grateful for:

• our hard working and dedicated teachers and education support staff  - thank you to each of you whether you are on or off site.
• our committed leadership team that go above and beyond for our staff and students.
• parents, carers, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles for offering support for our students - the 6th lockdown has been tough for everyone but you continue to offer our students the encouragement they need to get through these challenging times
• recognising and responding to those who are struggling, demonstrating KINDNESS.
• empathy and sympathy being demonstrated throughout each day
• the sun shining as we approach spring
• time to appreciate the simple but beautiful things in your 5 km radius

Fathers Day 

Our Fundraising Committee met last week and made the decision to hold a modified Father's Day stall during remote and flexible learning. Due to Lockdown restrictions, we could only offer this to students attending onsite. Staff from school provided students onsite with the opportunity to purchase a Father's Day gift from a trolley of selected items. The committee had an excess of stock and with the demolition of Bloomfield Hall (storage space) it was timely that the committee could reduce the stock as well as provide some usual routines for around 75 students onsite this week.   The committee were mindful that this arrangement didn't align with our typical inclusive practices, however during the pandemic, many of our usual routines have been interrupted.   The committee are exploring ways to diversify their practices so in future this event can be available to all students, even if there are restrictions in the future.   Wishing all our dads a fabulous day on Sunday and hope you manage to do something special with your loved ones despite being in Lockdown 

2021 School Performance 

Many of you would remember that our 2020 School Performance was cancelled due to the Pandemic. This year I'm pleased to announce that all 2021 School Performances will be conducted online. This will provide students with an opportunity to meet their individual PLSP goals for Performing Arts and share their growth with the community as part of the school performance.  

Congratulations to Joshua Goodwin for being the successful applicant in co-ordinating our performances this year.  Joshua has a background in leading school productions and musicals and we have already commenced the planning for these special events. 

School Council - Extraordinary Meeting 

On Monday 23rd August an extraordinary meeting was held with the focus on considering the schematic design of the new building.  Chris La Page from Musk Studio presented the digital design and highlighted some of the features that the design team have been working on.  Whilst there are still some budget considerations still underway, School Council endorsed the schematic design of the capital works project and some of the occupational health and safety issues identified in a recent audit.   

Pupil Free Days 

Melbourne Cup Day - Public Holiday 

Curriculum Day Friday 10th December (Please note the change from 1st Nov )

Staffing Update

Room 1:  Mandy Sharma's last day will be today as she prepares to move closer to home and starts a teaching role at Western Autistic School. I wish Mandy all the best and thank her for all her hard work and contributions to JSA.   

Room 1:  Pamela Butler has been appointed to the classroom teacher position in Room 1 and has been onsite the past two days getting a thorough handover from Mandy and sub school leader, Rachael Macmillan.  Welcome to the team Pamela. 

Recruiting for 2022:   We continue with several recruitment panels ahead of 2022.  This is a huge task and I really appreciate that staff commit to being on these panels on top of their usual day to day tasks.  I am anticipating that all the teaching positions will be filled by the end of Term 3.  This will enable us to then focus on recruiting for Education Support Staff in Term 4 for 2022.  

Specialist Teachers:  The capital works project has provided us an opportunity to review our secondary pathways programs and the delivery of Certificate of Individual Achievement and VCAL.  The new learning facilities will create opportunities for us to expand programs that have been valued by students and parents / carers. We have gathered a range of informal feedback from staff, parents and students and taken this feedback onboard and reviewed the subjects for secondary students.  I've attached the updated secondary pathways document that we are using to inform recruitment for 2022.  An increase in Hands on Learning Build, Cafe from 1 day each to 2 days as well as an increase in access to the Personal Skills program will  be available once the new space is built for the start of 2023.  A realignment of Bike Education Program being taught by Health and Physical Education specialist teachers and Travel Training being the responsibility of the classroom teacher. 

A secondary pathways information evening will be held in Term 4 where more information will be available for parents and carers. 

Reminder:  Absence Notification Number

When we return to school, I ask that you are 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 risks of spreading the winter bugs and viruses.

All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student name, room number and reason for absence.

Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts: 0439 114 197

Casual (parent) Vacancy on School Council 

We currently have two parent rep vacancies on School Council.  If you would like to learn more about the school and be part of our team that shares the governance role, please get in contact with Corinne Pupillo - Principal, either by email corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au or calling the office.

Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism

To complement our Schools Virtual School Tour, this aerial photography has captured our school from above.    Please take a look and see how wonderful the facilities look from above.  

School Council Meeting 

The next meeting of School Council will occur Thursday, 9th September at 5.30pm.

School Council Sub Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Alisha Minns
• Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Alisha Minns
• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
• School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC) –Alisha Minns

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 Page administered by the leadership team.  Please like and follow our page.

https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism