Peter Corkill
Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends of John Monash Science School,
It is hard to recall any term in living memory which has presented more challenges to school communities. Term One began with the aftermath of the bushfire crisis still alive and very real in our minds, and it ends with the Coronavirus pandemic making some of the most significant changes to daily life since perhaps the Great Depression, or even World War 2.
No doubt each of your households has made the appropriate plans to change the way things operate should the restrictions on movement tighten even further, as we are told they inevitably will. This will provide each and every one of us with challenges none of us could have conceived, even only a month ago. And yet all I have seen at school over the last couple of weeks is a strong sense of purpose, a calm acceptance of what must be done, and a strong resolve on the part of everyone to do what it takes to ‘get this done’.
Pride in and Gratitude for Our Staff
I would like to express my deep gratitude and admiration for all of our staff for their work this term. They have all risen to the challenge in remarkable fashion over recent weeks. At a time when they would have been rightly worried about their own families they have doubled their pace, boosted each other’s confidence and have done simply outstanding work in preparing to teach online once Term 2 begins. I am so proud of them all, and especially the capacity and spirit of the formidable team they have become. To briefly individualise, I would like to pay a special tribute to Rowen May, Luke Bohni and Jade Bohni for preparing the workshops for teachers as well as the online videos and modules which will act as wonderful back-ups as we collectively perfect this approach before Term Two begins in earnest. Their collective capabilities, patience and good humour have been much appreciated by us all. Similarly, I am indebted to Brenton de Moel, our Network Manager, and his IT team, whose work continues to be pivotal in helping us achieve the aims of our online delivery, which I believe will stretch well into Term Two and perhaps even beyond. And of course our Leadership Team has set the tone and sense of optimism with which we move forward.
The Minister of Education, Hon. James Merlino, sent this video to all school staff late this week (link below). I would urge you all to take a look. It is the heartfelt endorsement of our work the profession needs. We know we are very much on the collective front foot of work at this time, as no one wants this pandemic to have lasting effects of the education of our young people. We are not just keeping your sons and daughters in learning, we are helping them work towards their goals. We know we can count on your continued support and our classrooms reach into your lounge-rooms next term.
Belief in Our Students
I would like to conclude by stating yet again the deep faith I have in all of our students. We all know the weeks ahead will provide their challenges. Joining your normally busy classrooms remotely will take some getting used to, but something tells me you are all up for that challenge. You will still have access to your teachers. You will still be able to engage in some interesting discussions, and help co-construct solutions to problems which at first seem tough. You will still hear a variety of opinions. But perhaps not as much as before.
Nonetheless you will not only survive, you will thrive. As I said in a recent bulletin, the day of the truly independent learner has arrived at JMSS. More will be expected of you now. Log in on time. Follow the lessons closely. Use the chat-feeds to ask your questions. Contribute your thoughts and opinions. Keep your notes up to date, and complete the homework you are set without falling behind. And make sure above all you keep your working groups going online, after the lessons are over each day. Help each other understand new concepts. We will need all of you to help each other to succeed in this new environment. Forming a smaller study group in each of your classes is probably an excellent idea to make sure everyone understands each topic or concept.
So in short I need each of you to take full responsibility for your own learning. The teachers will help when you don’t understand something, but your job is to keep up with the work, turn up on time, every day, and give this your very best shot.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for being a remarkable student cohort this term. Your Captains Jackson McAloon, Emmy-Lou Reeve, Zac Elimelech and Charlotte Gilley have led the way wonderfully well, together with your Parliament and its many committees and clubs. It has been a term to remember for so many reasons. Let’s make Term Two even better – one where our whole community pulls together to achieve as good a term’s learning as we’ve ever had. Now there’s a challenge I know you can meet!
Have a terrific break, and a well-earned rest. Together look forward to meeting the challenges which will come. Personally I could not wish to be doing this together with a better group of people.
Peter Corkill
Principal