Peter Corkill - Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of John Monash Science School

We are finally at the end of term three, traditionally a long and tiring term which certainly presents its challenges to students as the winter months stretch out and the first signs of spring still seem far away. But true to form the days are now getting a little longer and brighter, so too the horizon for students who will be looking forward to a welcome break from study. This is equally true of staff, and I trust all members of our learning community take the opportunity to take a well-earned and much deserved break over the coming holiday period.

JMSS Music Soiree, John Monash Day and Battle of the Bands

Last week saw JMSS host its seventh Spring Music Soiree to an enthusiastic audience of parents, family members, students and teachers, off-site this time at Clayton Hall. All were thrilled with the high standard of performances. When in full flight as they were on that night, the talent of our students is something to behold. I would like to sincerely congratulate Music Co-ordinator Mr Satoshi Sanada, our instrumental music teachers and especially our Music Captains Anthony Ta, Joseph Teoh, Troy Sutton and Amy Le, and Vice Captains CJ Santos, Amanda Chhoeu, Evelyn Chan and Nelly Ou for preparing the performances so effectively, to other staff for their help organising the event, and to the parents, family members and visitors for their support of the night.

The idea for John Monash Day was hatched in 2013 and finally came to fruition in 2014. It is now a regular feature on the last day of term three each year, as we seek to build further awareness of the life of General Sir John Monash in our community, and use his legacy to inspire our programs and our students. I would like to congratulate our Student Parliament on their hard work in providing such a range of engaging activities for our students and staff.

The Battle of the Bands was a terrific way to finish off such a busy term on Friday afternoon. I would again like to congratulate all of the student organisers and the staff who so capably supported them, especially the Music Staff and the Music Captains who played leading role in the organisation of the afternoon. This event enables a full showcase of the extraordinary range of talent we are blessed with across our community, and it is great to finish the term with a burst of such memorable energy.

School Captains 2018

Congratulations to newly appointed School Captains for 2018, Angi Frentiu and Andrew Harrison, and Vice Captains Jonathan Deng and Tikiri Silva. The applicants were all excellent and the final shortlist provided the selection panel with quite a challenge. We are confident that this group of students will be fantastic ambassadors and leaders for JMSS in 2018. On that note, we are most grateful for the outstanding contributions made by Captains Laurene Colin and Joshua Galland, and Vice Captains Ben Hardiman and YiJie Neo this year. Their work has been simply outstanding.

Football Fundraiser vs Sandringham SC

John Monash Science School was invited by Sandringham Secondary College to participate in a joint fund-raising endeavour on behalf of one of their Year 12 students, co-Sports Captain Jake Plumb, who is suffering from a genetic eye condition which could possibly lead to blindness. The event took place last Friday at SSC’s Bluff Road campus, with some 100 Year 12 students from JMSS in attendance. Representative teams of girls and boys played for both schools in AFL football, with many spectators also in attendance. Despite the cold wet day, we all had a terrific time. Both JMSS teams acquitted themselves really well but in the end couldn’t match their more seasoned SSC opponents. The two schools will raise between $1500 and $2000 between them for Jake, which will provide him with much needed equipment as he continues to cope with his condition beyond school next year. It was a wonderful gesture between two government schools, and there is some possibility the event will continue in 2018 at Monash University, for a cause of JMSS’s choosing.

A Chance to Rest, a Chance to Recharge, and a Chance to Prepare

After all of the interim reports received by students and parents, feedback via assessment tasks and discussions at course-counselling sessions, all students should be in no doubt as to where they are in their learning in each subject, and what they need to do to improve. The holidays will give students a chance to rest from the demands of term three, which is completely appropriate and should be a key focus. It will also be an opportunity for them to catch up if they have fallen behind in any particular study.

Finally it will also give students facing important exams early in term four, especially all Year 12 and some Year 11 students undertaking Unit 3, 4 exams, an opportunity to practise past papers and get their revision materials in order. I wish you all well for what lies ahead, and have every confidence in you that you will perform at your best when it counts. Remember that all of the Year 12 Practice Exams will be held at JMSS in week 2 of the holidays – all students should consult the schedule and make sure they are at JMSS at least 30 minutes prior to each exam.

I would like to sincerely thank all members of our community for their wonderful work this term, especially our staff who again have contributed above and beyond. I wish you all a safe and restful break, in preparation for another busy term to end the year.

An early highlight will be our Science Fair on the evening of Monday October 30th, a date you should all put in your diaries now.

Peter Corkill

Principal