Peter Corkill

Principal

Dear Parents and Students

Off to a Great Start

Term Three has begun in earnest and the next few weeks will be characterised by much activity and plenty of challenges to meet time demands. The early part in term three is characterised by follow-up selection processes for the selection of Year 10’s and Year 11’s to join the school in 2019, as well as current Year 10 and 11 students choosing their courses for 2019. So it is very much a busy time for all.

Interstate and International Trips at the End of Semester One

International Students Science Fair 

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Aurora, Illinois, USA

June 25 – July 5, 2018

Students attending were Angelin Thom (Year 11), Parker Stroh (Year 12), and Xavier Pellow (Year 12), accompanied by Ms. Sarah Adolph and myself.

The event was an absolutely outstanding experience for all, with students and teachers treated to some outstanding panels and Q&A with policy makers and scientists in the fields of Climate Science, Water Purity and Security Renewable Energies, and visits to wonderful sites such as the Chicago Science and Industry Museum and the Argonne Particle Accelerator.

Furthermore the relatively new International Science Schools Network (ISSN) took significant further steps forward with many schools now wishing to join. Over the next few months we are co-writing a new Strategic Plan to take us forward to 2025, and hope to have decisions in place to sustain and grow our organisation after the next ISSF event at National Junior College in Singapore in March 2019;

Reef and Rainforest

Cairns + Surrounds

Queensland, Australia

June 24 – July 6, 2018

75 students and eight staff, led by Mr. Peter Thompson took part in this year's Reef and Rainforest expedition to the wet tropics of far-north Queensland.

This was another outstanding success, despite the often inclement weather. The data gathered by our students on each of the four rotations (Outer Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Fitzroy Island and Atherton Tablelands) is always much appreciated by our partners in this very successful annual arrangement, James Cook University.

Water is Life Conference

Tokyo, Japan

July 23 - 29

In addition to these two highly successful trips, the Water is Life Biennial Conference is currently underway in Tokyo, Japan. Teachers Chris Mann and Catherine Gallus are with students Eli Czerniecki (Year 12), Emma McGuire, Olivia Musgrave (Year 12) and Riley Purcell (Year 12). The group will present the latest work on our longitudinal study of using water run-off to create and sustain a small wetlands area.

International Physics Olympiad

Lisbon, Portugal

It is also worth noting that Year 12 students Boris Deletic and Vlad Mikho are currently representing Australia in the International Physics Olympiad being held in the beautiful capital of Portugal, Lisbon. We wish the boys all the very best and look forward to hearing about their experiences on return.

Current International Opportunities for Students

The following trip opportunities have been advertised on Compass and email to students currently in Years 10 and 11 and we enthusiastically look forward to receiving their applications:

• Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF)
• at Ritsumeikan Science High School in Kyoto, Japan, November 14-18 this year;
• Thailand International Science Fair (TISF)
• at Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Bangkok, Thailand, January 6 – 15, 2019;
• International Students Science Fair (ISSF) 
• to be hosted by the National Junior College of Singapore (NJC), held from March 18– 22, 2019.

Parent/Teacher Student Learning Conferences

Parents and students need to note that the semester two round of parent-teacher-student learning conferences are scheduled for Thursday August 23rd (12.00pm – 8pm).

This format seemed to work well in semester one and we are therefore continuing with it this time around. Students will not be required at school in the morning but will be required to attend the interviews with their parents in the afternoon or evening.

We very much look forward to meeting you all again on the appropriate afternoons and evenings to celebrate the successes of our students and co-construct plans for suture improvement. Bookings as usual will via the Compass portal, and these will be available for booking soon.

Congratulations to William Dunstan (Year 11)

Sincere congratulations to Year 11 student William Dunstan, on his recent achievements in the Australian Fencing Championships.

William managed bronze in Cadet foil at Nationals followed by silver with Victoria's A foil team. An outstanding effort given the balancing act between school and training. This is amazing Will, all at JMSS are really proud of you!

Peter Corkill

Principal

John Monash Science School