Principal's Desk 

Corinne Pupillo 

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

The Student Support Group (SSG) brings together the people responsible for the well-being and education of the student.  The aims of the Student Support Group are to; 

• ensure that those with the most knowledge of, and responsibility for the student, work together
• establish shared goals for the student's educational future
• plan reasonable adjustments for the student to access the curriculum
• provide educational planning that is ongoing throughout the student's life
• monitor the progress of the student.

Staff are also looking forward to continuing to build positive relationships with families in order to best meet the needs of your child/ren and making adjustments to their individual program to maximise learning outcomes.  SSG's will be conducted from  16th May - 2nd June. 

Staffing 

A warm welcome to Katharine Tutjnevic who has been employed as the Learning Specialist Tier III.  Learning Specialists support staff to engage students in their learning program.  

In the last fortnight, the school has experienced significant staff shortages due to a recent COVID outbreak and shortages experienced by the agency that provides our CRT's.  An SOS to regional visiting teachers and local specialist schools resulted in a wonderful response.  We were grateful to the visiting teachers and specialist school staff who assisted in filling staff absences which enabled us to continue to run the swimming program.   Shout out to Hume Valley School and Coburg SDS for sending staff last week. 

Staffing shortages have been experienced across the state but we hope that the recent intake of international teachers will boost our pool of casual replacement staff.    

New Child Safety Standards 

The new Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order 1359 begins on 1 July 2022.  Jacana School for Autism Child Safety Champion Team is preparing to meet the new standards, by building on existing child safety strategies, policies and practices to strengthen our culture of child safety and protect children from abuse.

Our Child Safety Champion Team includes:

• Corinne Pupillo 
• Stephanie Di Salvo 
• Joel Hockings 
• Zoe Sharpe 
• Natalie Conboy 

I will have more updates as our team progresses through the process.   We anticipate our new policies and practices to be available on the school website and from the general office next term. 

Reminder: Pupil Free Day - Friday 10th June 

The department recently reached an in-principle agreement with unions, as bargaining representatives of employees in the Victorian Teaching Service, on a proposed replacement enterprise agreement that will apply to teaching service employees (eligible employees). School Councillors endorsed an additional pupil free day so teachers can participate in a common professional practice day which will also alleviate the workforce pressures.   Parent/carers have been advised of the additional pupil free day and a reminder text will be sent to all families prior to the day. 

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 the winter 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: 

0439 114 197

Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism

This aerial photography has captured our school from above to complement our school's Virtual School Tour.    Please take a look and see how wonderful the facilities look from above.  

School Council 

School Council Meeting 

The next meeting of the School Council will occur Thursday,  16th of June at 5.30 pm.

School Council Sub Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield 
• Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Denise Clarke
• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
• School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC) –TBC 

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.