Principal's Desk 

Corinne Pupillo 

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

CELEBRATING AUTISM - 2021 JACANARAMA FUN RUN/WALK 

We are currently in full swing, preparing for our 8th Annual Community Fun Run/Walk for 2021.  It was disappointing that the 2020 event was cancelled due to the global pandemic and hard to believe that 12 months has now lapsed.  As we plan to bring our community together at this public event, it's important that a COVIDsafe plan is in place to keep all staff, students and family members safe. 

Scheduled for Wednesday 31st March, this community event also marks the importance of collectively celebrating autism awareness. 

Families and friends are invited to the event and there is an opportunity for students to obtain sponsorship and raise funds for the school.  Students always look forward to this opportunity as they can challenge themselves by setting some individual goals for the run/walk. 

We encourage the whole family to be involved and enjoy the casual recreational setting out on the school /walking track and afterwards enjoy a sausage and drink with staff, friends and family. 

We hope you can join us in celebrating autism and the joy that young people on the spectrum bring us. 

Autism Awareness  – Is looking beyond the autism to see the special abilities in all our students. 

COVIDsafe Practices 

• Signs will be erected around the area to ensure that staff and parents/carers attending the event are provided with education and guidance on physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying home from work if unwell.
• COVIDsafe Marshals - to assist visitors to use the COVID event QR code for record keeping requirements - Name and phone number.
• Clockwise direction of travel on walkways with preference for one way flow, where practical.
• Santiser will be available at all entry/exit points and around food and drink stations.
• Staff and volunteers will complete a Coronavirus Checklist prior to beginning their working day.

School Council Annual General Meeting Invitation

Annual General Meeting: Reminder

School Council Annual General Meeting will be held from 5.30pm – 6.30pm Thursday 25th March.   I encourage our families to attend the AGM and hear first-hand our achievements over the past 12 months.  Please RSVP to the office if you would like to attend. 

Curriculum Day – 9th March 

We really appreciate that staff have dedicated days to come together to build their professional knowledge and capacity, so they can support your child in their learning.   On this day we provided a smorgasbord of Professional Learning activities including:

• Introducing the Reading and Viewing Guide
• Supporting Behaviours of Concern – How our approach can make all the difference.
• Designing your  individual 2021 Professional Development Plan
• Tier 1 – Universal Autism Practice
• CPR – online module
• Anaphylaxis Training

The day highlighted that staff are delving deeper in our school focus goals rather than adding on new information. 

Using the department suite of tools and resources to support us with the work has been a great opportunity to establish common language and concepts across the system.  Thank you to our presenters, Denise Clarke, Miranda Ingram, Cynthia Kearney, Katelyn Leddy, Elizabeth Smith and Linda Wakeling 

Staffing Updates 

Congratulations to Jessica Doherty for being the successful applicant for the Teacher Aide position.  

Thank you to Linda Wakeling for stepping in to replace Dan Moloney while he was on a practicum at Coburg SDS. Dan is due back on deck on Thursday 25th March.

End of Term 1

Thursday 1st April is the last day of Term 1.  Students will finish school one hour earlier at 2pm and the newsletter will be published on Thursday instead of  Friday.  

Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism

To complement our Schools Virtual School Tour, Karen Glare has engaged a photographer that 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 March 25th at 5.30pm. 

School Council Sub Committee Representatives

Finance Sub Committee Representative - Sharon Borg 

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