Jeremy Mackinnon

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

I think sometimes I forget the pure magic of this place. And then, just when I need it most, something happens that reminds me all over again. This year, that reminder came in the form of our Athletics Carnival. Although the entire Principal Class Team was away at a conference and unable to attend, we were eagerly watching the weather and working closely with Ms Porter to decide whether the event could go ahead. With no alternative dates available, we made the call to proceed - despite a forecast that looked more like winter in Antarctica than a school carnival.

The day delivered everything the Bureau promised: bitter cold, heavy rain, even hail. And yet, our students showed up. They participated. They encouraged one another. They embraced the day with the kind of spirit that makes this community so special. What a credit to them!

There have been countless other highlights this term, but one that stands out is the World’s Greatest Shave. This event is always a favourite, not because it’s about performance or competition, but because it shifts the focus to service, compassion, and collective action. Each year, students (and sometimes staff) shave, cut, or colour their hair to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. JMSS adds to the fun with milestone teacher “prizes”, and this year’s brave recipients were:

Ice bucket – Dr Denney, Ms Grainger, Mr Thompson, Mr Anderson

Pie facing – Mr Thompson, Mr Anderson

Spicy noodle eating – Mr Anderson

So far, we have raised almost $10K. If you would like to contribute, donations can be made here:

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/JohnMonashScienceSchool1060 

'Every dollar helps provide families with the support they need, while powering critical research projects that bring us closer to a blood cancer-free future. By joining the World's Greatest Shave community today, you'll help fuel real, tangible change tomorrow. - Leukaemia Foundation' 

Term Two brings with it a significant peak assessment period across the school. Our hope is that we have equipped students with the skills, habits, and confidence they need to navigate this time successfully. At the same time, we encourage both students and parents to keep these assessments in perspective. They capture learning at a single moment, not the full story of a student’s growth or potential.

In line with Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset, we invite students and families to view the upcoming assessments as opportunities rather than endpoints; opportunities to learn, to stretch, and to understand themselves more deeply as learners. Each task offers valuable feedback about strengths and areas for improvement, and each challenge helps students build the resilience required to manage future peak periods with confidence.

Here are some photos showing our students participating in different events and activities this term.

Term 2 House Assembly:

PE class with Mr Mackinnon:

Primary Schools at JMSS Exhibition Night:

Of course, shifting perspectives takes time. Some students may still place disproportionate pressure on themselves, which can lead to heightened anxiety or unhelpful coping strategies. If this is the case, please know that support is available. Our Wellbeing Team can be contacted at wellbeing@jmss.vic.edu.au, and they are ready to assist students in developing healthier thinking patterns and more effective strategies for managing stress.

The Department of Education also provides helpful resources on supporting mental health:

Students -https://www.vic.gov.au/tips-building-mental-health

Parents -https://www.vic.gov.au/parents-mental-health-toolkit

Finally, as always, I encourage all households to familiarise themselves with our school policies (https://jmss.vic.edu.au/community/policies/) and provide any feedback (please write to policy@jmss.vic.edu.au).

I wish our students all the best for the remainder of term.

Regards,

Jeremy Mackinnon

Assistant Principal