Principal's Desk 

Corinne Pupillo 

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Sunsmart Reminder 

The World Health Organization's Global Solar UV Index measures UV levels on a scale from 0 (Low) to 11+ (Extreme). Sun protection is recommended when UV levels are 3 (Moderate) or higher.

The UV level is affected by a number of factors including the time of day, time of year, cloud cover, altitude, location and surrounding surfaces.

Some important tips for students, staff, parents and carers

• Sun protection is more than just sunscreen. For the best protection when the UV is 3 and above, use all five forms of protection – clothing, sunscreen, a broad-brim hat, shade and sunglasses.
• Try to cover as much skin as possible with cool, loose-fitting clothing made from densely-woven fabric like cotton. If your child is wearing a singlet top or dress with thin straps, don't forget to layer up with a t-shirt or shirt before outdoor play.
• When choosing your hat look for a tight weave and broad brim that provides good shade to your face, head, neck and ears.

2021 Year Book 

As we reflect back on 2021, our Media Arts Teacher, Cisy Chan is working behind the scenes to collate a snapshot of 2021.  The annual yearbook has been cherished by our students and families and reminds them of the learning environment, staff and friends from year to year.   Thank you to Cisy for your special skills and time in pulling this together for us. 

Each student will receive a 2021 Year Book towards the end of the year. 

Celebrating Success: Student Awards 

Valuing the partnership between home and school and the co-construction of learning goals has been something that I have observed over time is a key ingredient in students growth.   

A journey where sometimes we support you and other times, you support us. 

Developing successful and resilient children requires a long-term focus and commitment and collaboration from us all.

Celebrating milestones and individual achievements where we link individual achievement to the curriculum, further strengthens the inclusivity for all students.

Primary Awards 

Students in the Primary Sub School are provided with more immediate recognition for their success. Fortnightly Star of the Week awards provides students with feedback and recognition of their effort and success.  

Middle and Secondary Awards 

The sub school awards for 2021 will be conducted a little differently again this year in line with our  COVIDsafe practices.  The Sub School Leader and member of the Principal Class Team will present the awards to students in their individual classrooms and they will celebrate with classroom peers.

• Middle Sub School:        Monday 29th November.
• Secondary Sub School:  Monday 22nd  November.

Hume Whittlesea LLEN Vocational Education Awards 2021

The Hume Whittlesea LLEN is honoured to be able to continue to recognise and award students excelling in vocational education in our local schools. The HWLLEN Vocational Education Awards are proudly supported by Hume City Council, the City of Whittlesea, and the Hume and Whittlesea Youth Commitments, and celebrate student achievements in VCAL, VET and SBAT. 

These Awards aim to promote the importance and relevance of vocational education and training pathways and celebrate the students’ engagement and achievements within their chosen fields. The awards are based on the student’s results, attitudes and achievements, and are nominated by their schools and are endorsed through recommendations from employers, teachers and work placement coordinators.

We are pleased to announce the following HWLLEN Vocational Education Award 2021 recipients in your school are:

Congratulations to these 6 students on the fantastic achievement. 

Semester 2 Reports 

End of year reports will be distribute digitally to families on Friday 19th November 2021.

Term 4: Student Support Group Meetings (SSG’s)

Monday 22nd November – Thursday 19th December, 2021. This is the last scheduled opportunity for families to meet to discuss the progress towards individual student goals. SSG invitations will be sent home very soon. 

2021 School Finish Dates 

In line with DET guidelines and School Council endorsement, Year 11 and 12 students may finish school on Friday 3rd December 2021.   Students that choose to attend school in the last two weeks will still have a program provided to meet their individual needs. including transitioning to their 2022 classroom.  All other students will finish the 2021 school year on Friday 17th December at 1pm.  

2022 Class list 

The 2022 Class List will be provided  on Friday 3rd December 2021.

Pupil Free Days 

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

Staffing 

Teacher Aide, Jo Weedon has joined our team and is currently working in the Middle Years.

Welcome to JSA Jo 

Rachael Peck's last day will be Friday 3rd December when she will take family leave. 

Rachael is the classroom teacher in room 2 and students in this room will have their SSG's a little earlier than scheduled so she can met with parents prior to her leave.  On behalf of the school community wishing you well and a safe arrival of your first child.  

Reminder:  Unwell students 

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 risk 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

School Council 

Our final School Council meeting for 2021 is scheduled for Thursday 9th of December and will be conducted via Webex.  A focus on approving the 2022 Draft Annual Implementation Plan and the 2022 Draft Budget will enable us to prepare for a successful year ahead. 

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 December 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