Andrew Chisholm
Assistant Principal
Dear Parents and Students,
As a very busy term 3 ends, this article covers a number of important events and deadlines that are on the school calendar between now and early term four.
2019 Reef and Rainforest Trip
The itinerary for the 2019 Reef and Rainforest trip in the last week of Term 2 and the first week of the holidays in 2019 has been released.
Students can collect the itinerary from the VCE area. Payment can be made in instalments and the first payment is due in early November. Payment can be made via Compass.
We again hope to get a large JMSS group to visit the Great Barrier Reef, Atherton Tablelands, Fitzroy Island, and the Daintree Rainforest. Students will be involved in collecting scientific data for Coral Watch and Daintree research station as well as learning about a range of current research projects in the tropical sciences at James Cook University in Cairns.
VTAC Processes for current Year 12’s
All Year 12 students by now should have completed their VTAC applications, as well as SEAS statements and scholarship applications where relevant.
There are still some students who have yet to register their tertiary choices on the VTAC site, and also finalise SEAS and scholarship applications. It is worth mentioning that all VTAC courses applications close at the end of September and if the fee for the VTAC application has not been paid, there is a significant increase in cost incurred by paying late.
October Tests
All students completing a VCE Unit 3 and 4 exam have October tests in the second week of the Term 3 holidays.
These tests are an attempt by JMSS to replicate the content and conditions of the final Year 12 exams in November and so provide an excellent opportunity for students to receive realistic feedback on their performance in their subjects and allow them to diagnose with the assistance of their teachers any areas in need of improvement. All exams are held in the JMSS building.
All students have received an email that outlines the date and time when each October test is being held. Students should be in JMSS school uniform and all official VCAA rules will be enforced.
With some disruptions to rail and roads planned over these holidays, students should plan carefully so that they are not late to these assessments.
A shortened version of the October Test Timetable can be found by accessing the link below.
AM sessions begin at 9am and PM sessions begin at 1pm. Students should plan to be at school 1 hour before any October test.
Students should arrive no later than 60 minutes prior to each assessment.
VCE Unit 3 and 4 VCE Timetables, Oral Language, Extended Investigation and Music Performance exams
Any student completing a VCE Unit 3 and 4 subject will also have received an exam navigator and individual timetable outlining all their exams and their locations.
Students do need to show parents this document so that everyone in the family is aware of the times and locations of each of the end of year exams.
Students doing Extended Investigation, most languages and Music will have an oral component or a performance scheduled in the first two weeks of Term 4. These orals and performances begin on the week of Monday 8 October and continue throughout the week. The locations of these assessments are varied. If your student is completing a language oral or music performance, please check the location of this assessment on your student’s exam timetable closely.
Students have been told that they need arrive at any exam at least one hour early to ensure they are not adversely impacted by traffic or public transport issues.
Andrew Chisholm
Assistant Principal
John Monash Science School