Principal's Desk 

Corinne Pupillo 

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Each year we rely on the generosity of our volunteer to support programs and activities that promote school pride and connectedness.  Our usual pool of committed volunteers have been unable to support special activities and events from late Term 2 due to the pandemic. Last week we acknowledged the contributions  and commitment to making a difference for our students.   Staff and students are very fortunate to have developed a positive partnership with our volunteers and we've really missed the events and activities that enhanced our programs.  We are  fortunate to have the knowledge, skills, expertise and partnerships with each and every one of our volunteers and in recognition of their effort and contributions in signing the draft events calendar for 2021, the volunteers received a small box of cupcakes delivered to their home (contact free). Collectively they make a significant impact on our school community and we are proud to have such a loyal and committed group of volunteers and we are looking forward to seeing them back on site in 2021.

Prep Transition Program

It was so lovely to meet all our new prep students (16) over the last 2 weeks. Supporting our new families to navigate the operations of the school as well as getting to know our new students was a little more challenging due to the restrictions on visitors to the school.  Starting school can be a little overwhelming for some children however, our team provided lots of opportunities for our new preps to explore and investigate their new surroundings. Thank you to Julie Coonan and the team of helpers for making our students orientation days really engaging and supportive.   

School Operations and COVID

As is the case throughout the year, we are regularly reviewing the DET Operations Guide that help to inform our practices are in line with the most up to date COVID advice.  Further easing of restrictions include;

• Face masks must be worn indoors, unless an exemption applies. Face masks are not required outdoors except where 1.5 meters physical distancing cannot be maintained. This includes students who are over the age of 12 and are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability. This also includes students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability or a mental health condition;
• Parent-teacher information sessions and interviews can resume on-site.

State Budget Announcement 

Its official!  Jacana School for Autism is one of 39 Specialist Schools that will receive funding for building modernisation works. 10 Million dollars has been targeted for JSA and this will create modern safe places for our students to learn and explore. This initiative will improve educational outcomes through the provision of high-quality teaching spaces and we are so excited to have the ability to make further improvements for our students.  

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.  

Hume Whittlesea LLEN Vocational Education Awards 2020

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.

Congratulations to the following VCAL students for being recognised by HWLLEN Vocational Education Award 2020

Term 4 Focus 

The focus throughout Term 4 has been health and wellbeing, literacy and numeracy and transitions. Due to changes in the Operational Guidelines, we will now be able to invite parents to Graduation. Parents will be notified shortly with more information regarding this. This year twenty-one Grade 6 students and eleven Year 12 students will graduate.  On behalf of the school community we hope they have an incredible evening and celebration. 

Jhan Bozkurt will be the successful recipient for the John Edmunds Memorial Scholarship presented by Glenroy Lions Club Auxiliary. 

William Kelly has been the successful recipient of the $1,000 Hume Scholarship Award.  Congratulations to both students. 

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

Monday 23rd November – Thursday 10th December, 2020. This is the last scheduled opportunity for families to meet to discuss the progress towards individual student goals. SSG invitations will be sent home Friday 20th November.

End of Year Reports 

End of year reports will be distributed to families on Friday 27th November 2020.

2020 School Finish Dates 

In line with School Council endorsement, Year 11 and 12 students may finish school on Friday 4th December 2020.   Students that choose to attend school in the last two weeks will still have a program provided to meet their individual needs. 

All other students will finish the 2020 school year on Friday 18th December at 1pm 

2021 Class list 

Students who will be enrolled in the 2021 VCAL Class will be provided with their class list and and staff on Friday 27th November 2020, acknowledging that some will not return to school from 4th December 2020.  All other students will be provided with their class list and staff on Friday 4th December 2020.

Staffing for 2021 

Unfortunately, we say goodbye to Assistant Principal, Richard Crawshaw at the end of the year. Richard will be moving on and I'd like to thank him for his contributions to our community during a challenging year and we wish him all the best in his next role. 

In planning for 2021 we are currently advertising for the following positions: 

• 1 x Assistant Principal: Positive Climate for Learning.
• 3 x Classroom Teachers
• 1 x Tutor
• 1 x 0.4 Speech Therapist
• 0.2 x  Hands On Learning Building

Congratulations to the following staff for their appointment to JSA in 2021

• Miranda Ingram – Learning Specialist
• Leah Mallet – Classroom Teacher
• Kat Schuyler – Teacher Assistant
• Tiffany Wasnig – Occupational Therapist

School Council - Casual Vacancy DET Representative 

One casual DET vacancy exists on School Council for a department representative and if you are interested in this position, please contact me directly via the school office.  I would love to hear from you and explain the role as well as the mutual benefits from being an integral part of the successful governance at JSA.  

School Council Meeting 

Our final School Council meeting for 2020 is scheduled for Thursday 3rd of December and will be conducted via Webex. 

Lisa Sette is our Fundraising Co-ordinator and can be contacted via the school office or Lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au

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