Christopher Mann
Acting Assistant Principal
Dear Parents and Students,
Making the Most of Term 3
It is hard to believe how quickly the first few weeks of Term 3 have passed. Across JMSS, there has already been a great deal happening: students engaging with industry and universities, our outreach programs connecting with young people across Victoria, preparations for Presentation Night, student competitions and opportunities, and the many less-visible activities that keep a busy school community moving forward.
One of the things I have appreciated most while serving as Acting Assistant Principal has been the support I have received from our students. Whether through conversations around the school, students offering to help, responding positively to reminders, or simply taking the time to say hello and check in, I have been continually reminded of the warmth and maturity of our student community. Stepping into a different role brings a different perspective on the school, and it has been a privilege to see so many examples of students looking out for one another and contributing positively to JMSS.
Looking ahead through Course Counselling
This week also marked the completion of our Year 10 into Year 11 and Year 11 into Year 12 Course Counselling process.
These conversations are an important part of helping students think carefully about what comes next, and it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and considerable reflection students brought to discussions about their career aspirations, subject selections, courses and academic pathways.
Importantly, course counselling is not simply about selecting subjects. The conversations provided an opportunity for students, families and staff to reflect on learning more broadly: identifying areas where further growth or improvement may be needed, considering study habits and future goals, and, just as importantly, recognising and celebrating the areas in which every student has experienced success.
There were many thoughtful conversations about balancing interests, strengths, aspirations and future possibilities. Thank you to our students for approaching the process with such maturity, to families for their involvement and support, and to the many staff who contributed significant time and care to ensuring students were able to make informed decisions about their next stage of learning.
Connecting learning with our future
A recent highlight was Career Launchpad – Our Sustainable Future, delivered through Monash Tech School. The event brought together 101 students and 44 industry professionals, with students attending from Glen Waverley Secondary College, Mount Waverley Secondary College, Wellington Secondary College and JMSS.
The feedback was exceptionally positive. All industry and academic participants surveyed described the students they met as engaged, as well as courteous and respectful, while 99% of students reported learning something new and 92% said the program made them want to explore new ideas. Every student who completed the survey indicated that they found the program interesting and enjoyed the experience overall.
Beyond the statistics, what stood out was the quality of the conversations between students and professionals. Industry participants commented on the optimism they took from meeting the young people involved, while students valued the opportunity to discover the diversity of careers, pathways and people working across STEM fields. Congratulations to all involved, and particularly to our students for representing JMSS so positively.
Sharing STEM opportunities beyond JMSS
We also recently celebrated the completion of our Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) Milestone 3 Report, which provides another opportunity to reflect on the reach of JMSS beyond our own campus.
One of the programs highlighted is our Virtual Primary STEM Science Squad, including the Genetics and the Biology of Taste module. Through this initiative, 60 high-ability students in Years 4–6 from 16 Victorian government primary schools participated in live lessons with specialist JMSS science teachers while undertaking hands-on investigations at their own schools. Importantly, 58 of those students were from rural and regional Victorian communities. Feedback from participating students and teachers highlighted increased curiosity, engagement and enthusiasm for STEM, demonstrating the difference that accessible enrichment opportunities can make for students regardless of where they attend school.
This work reflects something that is central to the purpose of JMSS: not only providing outstanding opportunities for our own students, but also sharing expertise, resources and enthusiasm for STEM with the wider Victorian community.
Students contributing beyond the classroom
It has also been wonderful to see JMSS students taking their interests, ideas and skills beyond the classroom and contributing to opportunities across the wider community.
Congratulations to Jasper Francis, who has been selected to contribute to the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. As a member of the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disasters Youth Advisory Group, Jasper will participate in a panel discussion alongside another Youth Advisory Group member and researchers from the University of Melbourne, Victoria University and Curtin University, exploring a youth-focused, strengths-based approach to disaster resilience. It is a wonderful opportunity for Jasper to contribute a young person's perspective to important conversations about community safety, preparedness and resilience.
We also congratulate Ksenia Kurenysheva, who has achieved third place in the Years 10–12 category of the 2026 Parliament Prize. The Parliament Prize is an annual competition inviting Victorian school students to consider what they would say in Parliament if they were a Member of Parliament and to communicate their ideas through a 90-second Member Statement.
This is a significant achievement, with this year's competition attracting 1,180 entries from more than 180 schools across Victoria. Ksenia's success is a wonderful example of the thoughtful, articulate and engaged contributions our students can make to conversations about issues that matter to them and their wider community. Congratulations, Ksenia, on this outstanding recognition.
There will also shortly be another opportunity for students to contribute their skills closer to home, with expressions of interest for our Presentation Night Media Communications Team. Students involved will help prepare several of the multimedia presentations that form part of one of the most significant evenings on the JMSS calendar. For students interested in media, communication, design, photography, video production or simply contributing behind the scenes to a major school event, I encourage you to keep an eye out for further information.
These opportunities are a great reminder that learning and leadership at JMSS extend well beyond individual subjects and classrooms. Whether through advocacy, research, communication, creative production or engagement with the wider community, our students continue to find meaningful ways to apply their interests and make a positive contribution. Comment end
A few small reminders
As we settle fully into Term 3, there are also a few simple things that we can all do to help our community operate at its best.
Please continue to take pride in wearing the JMSS uniform correctly, including ensuring that school and PE uniform items are worn in the appropriate combinations. Our uniform is one of the ways we represent our school community, both on campus and beyond it.
Similarly, punctual attendance matters. Students should be at every scheduled class, Mentor session or other activity shown on their Compass timetable and arrive ready to begin on time. Being punctual is not simply about attendance records; it demonstrates respect for classmates and teachers and ensures that valuable learning time is not lost.
Most importantly, I encourage everyone to continue looking after one another and ourselves. A demanding school environment brings busy periods, competing commitments and occasional setbacks. Asking for support early is almost always easier than trying to resolve a problem once it has become larger. Students should feel comfortable reaching out to their Mentor, teachers, House Leaders, Wellbeing staff or another trusted adult at school when something is not going well. Equally, if you notice that a friend or classmate may need some support, checking in with them can make a significant difference.
There is much to look forward to over the remainder of the term. Thank you again to our students, staff and families for the many different ways you contribute to JMSS each day, and particularly to the students who have made my time as Acting Assistant Principal so far such a positive experience.
Regards,
Christopher Mann
Acting Assistant Principal