School Organisation

Students at Jacana School for Autism are grouped into primary, middle and secondary sub schools, each lead by a leading teacher and support by the whole school leadership team. Most classrooms consist of eight students, one teacher and two teacher aides. There are also some selected classrooms which are larger and are lead by two teachers.

Jacana School for Autism has a distributive leadership model to ensure the whole school community have access to leadership support on a day to day basis.

The leadership team consists of three (3) Principal Class Officers who lead learning and teaching and manage all supporting operational aspects of the school.

Five (5) Leading Teachers lead three sub schools, provide coaching in autism strategies and positive behaviour support and manage student transitions, integration, well-being and enrolments.

Learning and teaching activities are supported by the Therapy Team Leader and operational activities supported by the Human Resources and Finance Managers.

The school participates in educational networks beyond the school. We participate in the activities of the

• Broadmeadows Schools Network (BSN) (local) and
• Principals Association of Specialist Schools (PASS) (state-wide).
• AMAZE – State-wide Autism association

THE PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST SCHOOLS, VICTORIA INC. (PASS)

The Principals Association of Specialist Schools Victoria Inc. (PASS) is the professional body for the principals of the 83 specialist schools in the Victorian Department of Education Training (DET).

These schools provide the educational programs for over 7,000 students with a wide range of special needs throughout the state.

The aims of PASS include:

• To promote the principles of special education and improved community awareness of the capacity for special education throughout the State of Victoria.
• To watch over and protect the interests, rights and privileges of its members and specialist schools.
• To act as a representative body of principals of specialist schools in the state of Victoria.
• To promote the effective administration of special education and the employment of appropriately qualified special education personnel in all areas.
• To consider and deal with all matters affecting the professional interest of its members.
• To promote the consideration and discussion of all questions affecting special education

ONE CERTIFICATION – Amaze

In May 2015, Jacana School for Autism successfully gained the Amaze ONE Certification accreditation. ASD Standards for Education were achieved in the following areas

• Operational Standards
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Standards
• Educational Standards

We consider our organisation a centre of excellence and believe we have a systematic approach to continuous, self-improvement.