Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

Covid lockdown 6: This lockdown has definitely thrown a number of curveballs that have caused degrees of uncertainty as to how many of the “normal” events that characterise the JMSS calendar will be rescheduled or be postponed. We have endeavoured where possible to find online solutions to many events and activities and these have been communicated via the Covid updates that are regularly uploaded into Compass. 

Unfortunately, some of the planned events such as Year 10 Course Counselling has not been able to proceed in the normal manner, and hopefully we will be able to individually catch up with each student later down the track. JMSS staff have been most impressed at how our students are following communications, adapting to each new changed circumstance and meeting each new challenge with aplomb.

With remote learning continuing longer than anyone could have imagined it has also been pleasing to see that most students although obviously wanting to see their peers face to face are still showing high levels of engagement in their classes and are keeping focussed on the bigger picture. Any technical issues experienced during online learning should be emailed to helpdesk@jmss.vic.edu.au or logged at https://helpdesk.jmss.vic.edu.au/support/home

In the week that we were back face to face we were able to see record numbers from JMSS sit Olympiad competitions in Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Biology as well as the RACI Chemistry quiz. The ICAS science competition for Year 10’s due to happen next week has been postponed til October.

We have also received some impressive results from competitions held earlier in the year. 4 Year 10 students, Hiba Ali, Gregory Handoyo, Zeina Mohamed and Meera Ganeshkumar have reached the final of the Australian Brain Bee Challenge. Davie Yue, Emily Papastamatopoulos, Thomas Ma and Hita Keshav received an Honourable Mention in the International Maths Modeliing Challenge whilst Ravon Chew and Mohit Singh received a meritorious achievement in the same event. Both teams were the only ones from Australia selected to compete!

Next week sees Jonathon Purcell of Year 12 represent Australia in the Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad that was due to be held in Russia. This event is now online and Jonathon is part of a team comprising members from all over Australia. Best of luck Jonathon!

VTAC processes

September 10 is the JMSS day for all year 12 students to finish VTAC applications, SEAS applications, scholarship applications and requests for other information needed for interstate and overseas universities. Kirstine Carter our careers and pathways manager has been busily interviewing every year 12 student over this term and assisting them to navigate the VTAC process. 

Parents wanting to learn more about the VTAC process can view the online information night that can be found on the JMSS youtube channel.

A quick reminder that University open days have gone virtual again this year and there are many opportunities to find out about courses at all Victorian universities.

Any Year 12 student who has not seen the VCE team to discuss SEAS, scholarships etc should arrange an interview asap at vce@jmss.vic.edu.au 

Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal