Principal's Message
Anthony Jackson (Principal)
The Issue Highlights
- Our flags have been flown at half-mast since Friday 9th September 2022 following the passing of The Queen of Australia. Our flags at school will be lowered over the school holidays in line with Government guidance.
- Natalie Suleyman MP's celebrated her visit in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (Parliament) on Wednesday 31st of August. See an extract of her speech below/attached.
- COVID Update: Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must now isolate for a minimum of 5 days instead of 7.
- COVID Update: Students have been sent home 6 packs of 5 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for Term 4.
- Today Primary and Secondary students took part in a Little Long Walk, watched a traditional Aboriginal dance group and Smoking Ceremony at Jackson School.
- There are plenty of free, low-cost and virtual events and family attractions to choose from around Melbourne, Brimbank and Melton.
- Cody, 78C Teacher, is leaving Jackson this term to start her maternity leave. Thank you Michael Lindner for offering to stand in for Cody in Term 4.
- Our Staff have worked hard to ensure that our students have had authentic, real-world learning opportunities. Thank you.
- Today is the last day of Term 4 for students. Tomorrow is a pupil free day to allow the school to run our Term 3 professional practice day. Students return to school on Monday 3rd October 2022 to start Term 4. SDTP buses will be running as normal on this day.
- Student of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
- Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary and Secondary.
- Allied Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
- Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.
- For the most up-to-date calendar dates, always refer to the Xuno Calendar in your Parent Portal.
Dear Families,
As I am sure you're aware, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth passed away Thursday 8th September 2022.
Our flags have been flown at half-mast since Friday 9th September 2022, with exception of the day of the accession of the new Sovereign (His Majesty King Charles III) on Sunday 11th September (Monday 12th September in Victoria). Our flags at school will be lowered over the school holidays in line with Government guidance.
Thursday 22nd September has been declared a public holiday in Australia as a "National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty The Queen". Please see: https://www.pmc.gov.au/her-majesty-the-queen to leave an online condolence message. Rest in peace.
Natalie Suleyman MP In Parliament
Following Natalie Suleyman MP's visit to Jackson on 2nd September, Natalie celebrated her visit in the Victorian Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 31st of August. See an extract of her speech below/attached.
Hansard: I would like to say thank you to Anthony and all the staff at Jackson special school. I was extremely pleased to attend and see firsthand the great work, the excitement, the programs and the support available to the kids. It was truly inspirational. I had the opportunity to see their Book Week parade and the fantastic artwork competition that was on display by the kids. Keep up the great work. I am very proud of Jackson special school, and in particular all the teachers and the students. They are absolutely inspirational for our community' (Natalie Suleyman MP).
COVID Update
COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed
Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must now isolate for a minimum of 5 days instead of 7. If they are asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 6. If they are symptomatic, they must remain in isolation until day 7. If they have symptoms after 7 days, they are strongly advised to stay home until their symptoms have resolved.
As an additional risk mitigation, the Department of Health strongly recommends that those leaving isolation wear a face mask when away from home, both indoors and outdoors, and when they cannot physically distance. Those leaving isolation on day 6 should wear a mask for 5 days but particularly the first 2 days. Those leaving isolation on day 7 should wear a mask for 4 days but particularly the first 2 days. Those leaving isolation should consider taking a rapid antigen test before attending school. Lawful exemptions continue to apply.
Rapid Antigen Tests
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) will continue to be provided to students in Term 4. Thank you to all students and families who have played their role in regularly testing – we know that hasn’t been easy. Your work has seen COVID-19 cases being picked up at the earliest opportunity, meaning less cases in our school and more time in the classroom for our students.
Students have been sent home 6 packs of 5 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for Term 4. If your child was absent on this day we can provide these to you on your child's return to school next term. If you wish for your child not to receive RAT packs please let the office know.
Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.
After doing the tests at home, if it is positive, you will need to:
- let the school know on the via the Jackson COVID Hotline 03 9366 4322; Option 4 and/or dedicated email address covid@jacksons.vic.edu.au. There is a message bank on the phone for when the phone is unmanned by our rostered COVID Officer. Families are able to message the mobile number and/or email address 24 hours a day. Please note we will only be able to respond to messages and calls within office hours.
- keep your child at home for 5 days
- contact the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.
Little Long Walk & Smoking Ceremony
Today Primary and Secondary students took part in a Little Long Walk at Jackson School.
The purpose of the Little Long Walk was to unite Australian and provide an opportunity for for participants to reflect on Michael Long's iconic walk to Canberra in 2004, which put the lives of Australia's First Nations peoples back on the national agenda. For more information on The Long Walk please visit: https://thelongwalk.com.au/
Students also watched a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony and took part in traditional dancing led by an Aboriginal dance group. A smoking ceremony is an ancient and contemporary custom among some Aboriginal Australians that involves smouldering native plants to produce smoke. Thank you Essendon Football Club for organising this. Keep an eye out in Star Weekly for the news article.
On behalf of the community, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which our school is situated, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to elders, past, present and present.
Thank you to all of our families that were able to attend this event.
School Holiday Activities
Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities. There are plenty of free, low-cost and virtual events and family attractions to choose from.
City of Melbourne School Holiday Events: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/family-and-kids/school-holidays
End of Term 3
Cody, 78C Teacher, is leaving Jackson this term to start her maternity leave. Thank you for your dedication to our students. We wish you all the very best with your new arrival. Thank you Michael Lindner, who has been working with us as a teacher this year, for offering to stand in for Cody in Term 4.
It has been a busy term filled full of engaging activities and exciting events for our students and community from the Book Week, 9-12 Formal, Prep-2 late night/sleepover and lots of swimming! This term students in Prep-Year 8 have been learning about materials in their inquiry topics (chemical sciences). Years 9-12 have been continuing their work education programs. VCAL are preparing to transition to VCE (Victorian Pathways Certificate) in 2023 and our Year 12 (ASDAN & VCAL) students have their future education, training or employment in sight. Our Staff have worked hard to ensure that our students have had authentic, real-world learning opportunities. Thank you.
A reminder that today, Thursday 15th September is the last day of Term 4 for students. As a result, School Council agreed to schedule the last day of Term 3 (16th September 2022) as a pupil free day to allow the school to run our Term 3 professional practice day. Students will therefore not be required to attend school on this day. We thank you as always for your support.
Students return to school on Monday 3rd October 2022 to start Term 4. SDTP buses will be running as normal on this day.
Finally, thank you to all the parents and carers who have completed the annual DET Parent / Carergiver / Guardian Opinion Survey (PCGOS) will be released to a random sample of families (83 parents/carers around 30%). This survey closes tomorrow on16th September 2022. The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete. You will have been contacted if you have been randomly selected to participate in the survey and be in the running to win a $50 Woolworths voucher. We thank you in advance for your feedback and support.
I hope you all have a good holiday break!
Best wishes,
Anthony