Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

The term holidays are approaching quickly, and I know many of our community will be focusing on keeping warm and staying well. As we approach the winter solstice on 21st June, we know that it has been a term where colds, cases of flu and COVID is impacting health and wellbeing. We know that when you look after yourself, you have more capacity to look after and care for others. 

While the school holidays are considered a positive experience for most students, it can also be a challenging time for some students and families due to the unstructured and different nature of the period. For this reason, it is important to consider students' mental health and wellbeing over the holiday period. Here are some recommendations:

• Exercise boosts mood and mental health – make it fun!
• Nourish your brain by eating healthily – it will also improve your mood
• Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
• Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
• Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
• Make time to do things you enjoy
• Practice positive self-talk – and remember you are not alone
• Seek professional help if needed

Professional Learning 

On Friday 9 June, our Education Support Staff engaged in a full day of professional learning facilitated by members of our Leadership Team, Therapy Team, and Technicians while our teachers spent time on writing semester two reports.  

A range of topics were provided, which were relevant and engaging for our Education Support Staff. These included:

• Supporting Behaviours of Concern 
• Understanding the role of the Health and Safety Rep and Workers Compensation Process 
• XUNO & Edusafe Plus Reporting Platforms 
• IT Workshops - Microsoft Office suite 

Staffing Update 

Congratulations to Elian Haddad for being the successful applicant for the classroom teacher position.  Elian was working as a CRT at JSA and now we welcome her to our team.   

Assistant Principal, Eva Primarolo has resigned from JSA, and her last day will be 23rd June.  Eva quickly grasped the portfolio OHS and Student Transitions when she started at JSA  and made a positive impact during the last 3 terms.   On behalf of the school community, I wish her well in the next stage of her career.  We are currently advertising the Assistant Principal and Student Transition positions and hope to have new appointments for Term 3. 

ABC New Report 

Last Sunday the ABC News aired a report focused on how our school is managing the current teacher shortages.  The reporter was curious about the number of job advertisements and wanted to develop a community interest report showcasing a metropolitan and rural school.  Whilst it’s an opportunity to highlight the DE International Teacher Recruitment Program and the success we have had at our school; it was an opportunity to focus on other diverse ways we have been recruiting.  Thank you to Keeley McGregor and Room 5 students for participating in the interview and as one of our internationally recruited teachers.   Please find the iview link below.  

Watching ABC News Victoria Clips Teacher shortage continues in Victoria in iviewhttps://iview.abc.net.au/show/abc-news-vic/series/0/video/VICL2022102467618

Personal Property Policy - Reminder 

Jacana School for Autism understands that staff and/or students may sometimes like to bring items of personal property to school. 

The Department of Education and Training does not have insurance for personal property of staff, students and visitors. Jacana School for Autism does not take responsibility for items of personal property that are lost, stolen or damaged at school or during school activities. Damage to personal property brought to school is the responsibility of the owner of that property. 

Jacana School for Autism encourages staff and students not to bring items of value to school, or to obtain appropriate insurance for such items. 

If students bring items of value to school, they will be confiscated and stored securely at the School Office until the end of the day, when the items may be collected by the student and/or parent.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

An additional parent vacancy has been created as a result of one of our parents resigning from the School Council.  If you have an interest in joining our School Council and learning more about how we govern and contribute to the decision-making, please get in contact with me.  corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au / 9309 6258. 

School Governance Training 

Please find attached an invitation for School Council Governance Training.  It's a great opportunity to hear all about one of the primary roles of School Council. 

• Where:  Jacana School for Autism 
• When: Thursday 13 July 
• Time: 5.30 - 7.30pm 

Refreshments will be provided 

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)  

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.

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

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. 

Sun Smart 

Dear parents/carers JSA is a SunSmart community. You can help our students to be SunSmart at school by:

1. Dressing them in clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
2. Apply a generous amount of SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at the start of the day before drop-off.
3. Packing their sun-protective hat each day.