Principal's Address

Mr. Ralph David

Celebrating Achievements and New Beginnings at JJCMHS

Firstly, I would like to share that Mr. Lim-Klumpes has applied for and accepted a deputy principal position at another school. While this appointment is for 12 months, such opportunities often open doors to exciting new chapters in a person’s career. Affectionately known as Mr. LK, he has been an invaluable member of our community. In his role as Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts and Technology and Applied Studies, he provided outstanding leadership, building a dedicated team that delivers exceptional teaching and learning programs. He also played a pivotal role in leading whole-school initiatives, Vocational Education and Training, and Careers guidance.

During his time relieving as Deputy Principal at JJ, Mr. LK led the Learning and Support Team with distinction, establishing clear, effective processes that better meet our students’ needs. He was instrumental in promoting positive behaviour for learning and embedding trauma-informed practices throughout the school.

At the heart of Mr. LK’s approach is a deep understanding that relationships are key to unlocking our students’ potential. His presence will be greatly missed by students, staff, and our community alike. We wish him all the very best in his new role and look forward to following his continued success.

Reflecting on a Vibrant Term 3

Term 3 has been a whirlwind of activity, and looking back, it’s clear that JJCMHS is a vibrant, dynamic school where students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. I feel incredibly proud to be part of such an extraordinary community. What a great school we have!

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of working alongside students, parents, staff, and Wildflower, our Indigenous landscaping and land care experts, to enhance our school’s native gardens. It was inspiring to learn from Judi, Denzil, and Malakai, who shared their deep knowledge about native plants and sustainable planting techniques. Judi perfectly summed up our efforts as “giving back country,” a meaningful reminder of our connection to the land.

Leadership Transitions and Student Voice

As Term 3 closes, we bid farewell to the current senior leadership team and welcome the next group of student leaders. Our student leadership continues to evolve and improve, thanks in large part to the dedicated mentorship of Mr. Nguyen. He has worked closely with our leaders to develop their understanding of true leadership, providing them a genuine platform from which to lead and grow. I eagerly anticipate meeting our new leaders in Term 4 to explore how we can further empower students and amplify their voices in shaping our school.

Term 3 Highlights and Celebrations

There is so much to celebrate this term, and while it’s impossible to list everything, here are just a few highlights that showcase the incredible commitment of our teachers, students, and parents:

Bayside Fair: Our school community showcased JJCMHS proudly with a vibrant stall while the music faculty delivered a stellar 3-hour performance on their own stage.
Souths Juniors Showcase: Music students shone performing alongside local primary and high schools.
STEAM Challenge: Four local primary schools competed in designing model solar-powered cars, supported and mentored by our expert teachers and senior students. The event culminated in an exciting awards ceremony, with all schools taking home a solar car to their campuses.
Taster Lessons: We welcomed primary school students for hands-on experiences across a variety of subjects, sparking curiosity and connection.
QUEST Writing Partnership: Led by Ms. Tickle, this initiative supports high-potential gifted students in creative writing. Special thanks to Mr. Sneddon and Ms. Tickle for their inspiring presentations that were enthusiastically received.
Our amazing librarian, Mrs. Kasparian, continues to make the library a vibrant hub for school life, spearheading events like RUOK Day, Pear It Purple Day, and Book Week. Her book clubs and reading challenges have boosted borrowing rates nearly 150% and this continues to grow.
Volleyball is thriving under Mr. Espinosa’s expert guidance, supported by many enthusiastic staff. We’re also excited to welcome Mr. Mishawi, who is developing our soccer (football) programs.
Beyond classrooms, our extensive extracurricular offerings include chess club, homework hub, guitar club, choir, art club, board games club, breakfast club, coffee club (barista training), writing club, volleyball, and more.
We also embraced several special programs this term, including the Souths Cares Mai Marri Mentoring Program, Souths Cares Industry Visits, RAISE mentoring, and Love Bites, alongside important awareness weeks such as Book Week, National Bullying No Way Week, Wear It Purple Day, and RUOK Day.
Externally, our students excelled in events such as basketball competitions, SESSA Athletics Track, and BSTREETSMART, among others.

As we move into Term 4, I am energised by all we have achieved together and excited for the opportunities ahead. Thank you to every member of our JJCMHS community for your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm.

Let’s keep striving, growing, and celebrating together.

Mr. Ralph David