Principal's Address
Mr. Ralph David
Celebrating Our Successes as We Conclude Another Term
As we approach the end of another successful term, there is much to celebrate. I feel incredibly fortunate to work within such a positive and caring community. Each day, I look forward to sharing in the journey of helping our students navigate and thrive in what can often be a complex and demanding world. In my role, I have the privilege of celebrating their joy, enthusiasm, and successes while alsosupporting them through their challenges. I am deeply committed to doing my best for all our students, always focusing on collaboration with students, parents, and staff to foster an environment at JJCMHS that prioritises the wellbeing and learning of every student.
Values and Expectations
As many of you are aware, our school has worked closely with the community to establish our core values and expectations. I consistently discuss these with our community, and they are central to every enrolment interview. We recognise that schools must focus not only on teaching and learning but also on helping young individuals develop into positive, respectful members of their community. You may have heard me say that the values of an organisation function like the rudder of a ship: they set its course and guide its direction. Without a clear understanding of our values, an organisation can lose its way.
Our shared values and expectations are prominently displayed and actively taught. They enable us to work collaboratively in a manner that minimises conflict and promotes positive, respectful relationships. Given that our values and expectations have been in place for over seven years, it is time to revisit them through discussions and consultations. We will engage the entire school community, including students, parents, carers, staff, and members of the broader community connected to our school. Your involvement is crucial, and we encourage as many voices as possible to contribute to this important cultural initiative.
High Performance Gifted Education (HPGE)
At JJCMHS, we are dedicated to identifying and developing our students' potential across various domains, not just academically. We also focus on creativity, social and emotional growth, and physical development. You can witness this commitment through events such as Big Night Out (creative and performing arts), the STEAM challenge (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills through the SRC and formal leadership teams, as well as our sporting programs and the recently introduced Writing Quest.
In the past four years, particularly post-COVID, we have steadily expanded opportunities for students outside the classroom through clubs and extracurricular activities. These initiatives enable students to connect more deeply with their school, explore new interests, and potentially develop their talents. For example, students have been participating in competitive volleyball, thanks to our Volleyball head coach, who has fostered interest in this sport. He completed his Level 2 volleyball coaching certificate to ensure our students receive the best possible training. As a result, students stay after school to practice and compete with outside teams, with some even joining teams beyond the school. The high expectations of this program are reflected in our students' engagement and commitment. Every Thursday at 4pm, I hear a jubilant group of students leaving the school. The first time I heard them, I stepped outside to find out what they were doing, and they excitedly told me they had just come from art club. It was clear they were thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Other opportunities for students include the Learning Hub, where they receive support with homework and assessment tasks, run by our careers advisor, who has also extended this to include coding. The HSIE faculty hosts board and card games every Friday, while our librarian leads a book club. We also have woodwork and technology clubs, as well as opportunities for students to form bands and receive mentorship in the music rooms. Students in Year 10 and above can work with a teacher on a fitness program in the weights room. These are just a few of the opportunities currently available.
Our teachers are continuously learning how to better identify and nurture potential in their classrooms. By the end of the year, we will compile and share the high potential and gifted education opportunities we offer. This is an exciting area of growth that demonstrates our school is thriving.
Facilities Upgrade
You may have seen in the media that JJCMHS is undergoing a significant upgrade to our facilities. As principal, I am committed to ensuring that this upgrade meets the learning needs of our students now and into the future. I am currently consulting with staff and students to determine how we can best utilise these upgraded spaces.
Key focus areas include:
Upgrading two science labs to accommodate future learning needs.
Enhancing the hospitality/food technology space to better serve this popular area of student learning.
Upgrading the music rooms, including soundproofing to minimise disruptions during exams, which often coincide with music classes.
Creating a high-level STEM lab in the technology space, equipped with industry-standard technology to better prepare students for the real world.
Upgrading the school hall, library, and the front of the school.
I will keep you informed of our progress in each of these areas, including how we are utilising the spaces to enhance student learning.
Leadership During Term 3
I would also like to inform parents that I will be on leave during the first half of Term 3.
Mr. Mifsud will serve as acting Principal, and Mr. LK will take on the role of acting Deputy Principal, while Ms. Batista De Mello will continue her leadership as Deputy Principal.
External Evaluation and Future Planning
As we approach the conclusion of our five-year school plan, we will undergo an external evaluation next term. This evaluation will guide our decision-making regarding key focus areas for the future. We will involve our entire school community in a consultation process to plan our priorities for the next five years. Please keep an eye out for requests for your involvement.
I look forward to collaborating with the community to shape our school’s future.
Mr. Ralph David