Principal's Address
Mr. Ralph David
End of Term 1 – Reflecting on a Busy Start to 2026
It’s hard to believe we have already reached the end of Term 1. Our school continues to be a vibrant and dynamic place, with so much happening across every corner of our community.
Firstly, thank you to all parents and carers who took the time to complete the parent survey sent out this term. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, we have resent the link and warmly encourage your feedback. Your input is invaluable as we develop our next four-year school plan. This plan reflects what matters most to our community, what we are doing well and where we can improve. In shaping this, we have also gathered feedback from students, staff, feeder primary schools, and community partners.
JJCMHS is fortunate to be part of the NSW Department of Education, which provides access to expert teams, current research, and statewide networks of educators. This collective knowledge supports us in continually improving teaching practices and student outcomes. The Department’s vision: “Every student learns, grows, and belongs in an equitable and outstanding education system” guides the work of all public schools, including ours.
As we refine our school plan, our key focus areas will be improving reading and numeracy, strengthening HSC results, and increasing student attendance. Improving attendance will involve supporting smoother transitions, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and enhancing engagement in learning.
Our P&C has met twice this term, and I extend my sincere thanks to the parents who generously give their time to support our school. If you haven’t yet attended a meeting, I encourage you to come along, you will find a welcoming and collaborative group. Thanks to their fundraising and grant-writing efforts, the P&C has raised over $40,000 to support projects that enhance our school environment, including the continuation of our landscaping initiative in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney, Indigigrow, and Tanya Wood.
At the time of writing, our Year 7 and 8 students are away on camp, having left full of excitement this morning. I am sure they will return tired but enriched by experiences that build friendships, confidence, and leadership, while creating lasting memories.
Thank you also to the many parents and carers who attended Parent Teacher Night for Years 7, 11 and 12. These evenings are invaluable opportunities to connect with teachers and discuss student progress. If you were unable to attend, please contact the school to arrange a phone meeting.
On Monday, 24 March, representatives from School Infrastructure NSW visited our school. As part of their visit, several student leaders, Omar, Ryan, and Steven, spoke with the team. They used this opportunity to thoughtfully raise important issues, including equity between schools, classroom heat, and aircraft noise. I was incredibly proud of the way they advocated for their peers and the confidence they showed when addressing senior representatives.
Pearl was invited to deliver the Acknowledgement of Country in what was a challenging setting. She showed great composure and pride, representing herself and her culture with strength. Thank you also to Narikah for her support.
During the visit, I had the opportunity to share news of the international award our school received last year for the Landscapes for Wellbeing project. This initiative, led by our P&C President Daniel Girling Butcher in partnership with Tanya Wood, UTS landscape architecture students, and Indigigrow, has resulted in the development of our beautiful native gardens and reflects a whole-school community effort.
Finally, I wish all our families a safe and joyful Easter, spent in connection with loved ones. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 2, ready for another term of growth and opportunity.
Mr. Ralph David