Peter Corkill

Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of John Monash Science School,

Term Four has begun in earnest and we will be in our final examination period in a few short weeks. Students in all Unit 3, 4 studies undertook practice exams in the second week of the holidays and I would sincerely like to thank our VCE Co-ordinators Mrs Jenny Parker and Mrs Grace Turner for organising these exams so successfully, as well as members of the school’s leadership who gave up their time to assist. This week is marked by the end of formal schooling for our Year 12 students. They have been a wonderful cohort to work with, and we wish them every success for their final exams in the weeks ahead.

Recent Student Achievements

Sincere congratulations to Year 11 students Daniel Hong and Gavin Li who have been awarded a Victorian Young Historian Silver certificate in the Democracy Matters section of the 2019 National History Challenge. This award is given to students who were selected as a finalist to proceed to national judging, another amazing achievement by JMSS students which shows the all-round talent across disciplines we have at the school.

Australian Science Fair Coming Soon!

This year marks our ninth annual JMSS Science Fair, coinciding with the school’s 10th Anniversary. The event will be held over three days and evenings – from Monday November 25th, to Wednesday November 27th. To mark the occasion, we have invited a STEM specialist school from each state and territory in Australia to join us, and all have accepted. We will also welcome back our Regional Exchange students as well as the many Primary students who have taken part in our Little Scientist program. All will present their projects alongside those of our Year 10 and 11 students. I urge you all to come along and see another wonderful display of student learning at John Monash Science School.

Valedictory Dinner for Class of 2019

Last Monday night the Valedictory Dinner for our soon-to-be-graduating Year 12 students was held at Caulfield Racecourse. The night was a wonderful opportunity for students to relax with their parents and teachers in a night full of energy, friendship and laughter – a really large crowd being in attendance.

Our guest speaker Mr. Gai Thok Chutwea, former South Sudan refugee currently studying Law at Monash University, spoke passionately about the power of education to make a difference, and urged our graduates to grab these opportunities with open hands, hearts and minds. His speech was very much a highlight of the event. All of the students were presented with a certificate marking their graduation. Our school Captains Francine, Raj, Sadhana and Ned spoke sincerely about their time at JMSS, and thanked the staff and their families for their wonderful support. I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Cheah Johnston and all of her staff and student helpers for their organisation of such a wonderfully memorable evening.

Farewell to the Class of 2019

The time draws near for us to officially farewell our Year 12 students, who are about to embark on their final exams and then move into life beyond secondary school. I know the whole school community will join me in congratulating them on the fine leadership and ambassadorship they have shown the school since their arrival, and wishing them every success in the upcoming exams. Their collective achievements are many, varied and mostly exceptional, and their achievements in group and individual competitions too many to individualise.

It is indeed the extraordinary leadership that these students have brought to JMSS which has set them apart. Wonderfully led by Captains Francine Machin and Raj Gaddam, and Vice Captains Sadhana Sridhar and Ned Callander, they have indeed set the bar high for others to follow. Under their leadership, this Year 12 cohort have led the school superbly, providing wonderful mentorship to younger students, a genuine thirst for involvement and participation in so many endeavours and events, and morale-lifting enthusiasm which has kept the JMSS heart beating strongly all year. They leave an impressive legacy indeed, but I am in no doubt that the current Year 10s and 11s will continue to build their own tradition of excellence and that the school will be in the best of hands over the next few years. We are lucky to have so many fine young people at our school.

Peter Corkill

Principal