Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

As we reach the end of Term 2, it has been somewhat of a challenge to have managed to navigate through a term that has thrown so many obstacles at us over the last 9 weeks. Like most schools we have numerous absences of both staff and students and it has been an immense effort from everyone to not only ensure students are up to date, with their learning, cover classes and manage assessment timelines particularly at year 12. 

Thank you to all of you who have supported JMSS and the processes we have put in place to manage situations created by Covid and Flu related illnesses. 

With the deadlines for finalising assessments ballooning out, the publishing of semester 1 reports have been pushed back accordingly and now will be published early in Term 3.

The new GAT

All students completing a VCE Unit 3/4 study have to sit the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday September 7th. This year there is a major change to the GAT in that not only will the GAT be used as the basis of Year 12 subject scaling but it will also lead to each student receiving an assessment of their literacy and numeracy standard that will be reported on their VCE certificate when they finish year 12. JMSS will have 430 students sitting the GAT!

At the last General Assembly I made students aware of the resources available on the VCAA website that can be used to help prepare for the GAT. This can be found at: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/index.aspx

Music

Last Thursday Night another excellent soiree was held that highlighted the talents of our VCE music students and the JMSS Stage Band. The quality was excellent and thanks to Mr Smyth and Mr Delves for their organisation and also to the parents who braved inclement weather to support their children and the program.

Earth Science Olympiad

Congratulations to Sean Roe of Year 11 who has been successful in making it into the Australian Earth Science Olympiad Team after a lengthy selection process. Sean was meant to receive his green Australian blazer at Parliament House in Canberra last Monday but a last minute flight cancellation meant that Sean and other Victorian Olympiad members were unable to make the ceremony. A replacement ceremony for Victorians in Olympiad teams is being held soon.

Reef and Rainforest Trip 2022

After some flight delays the first Reef and Rainforest trip for 3 years arrived in Cairns last Sunday. The trip which comprises a variety of fieldwork, citizen science and collaborations with James Cook University has already given students some wonderful experiences. The photo below was taken at the JCU aquarium that researches a range of marine animals that inhabit the Great Barrier Reef.

 Upcoming events in Term 3

One of the major events for Year 10 and 11 students in term 3 is the selection of courses for 2021. There will be  face to face information nights for Year 10 and Year 11 students and parents to discuss the processes involved in course selection in weeks 2 and  3 of term 3. More details will follow early in term 3.

Lastly, I will be on Long Service Leave at the start of Term 3, so any inquiries related to teaching and Learning programs at JMSS can forwarded to Dr Melanie Denney or Mr Luke Bohni who will be relieving in my absence.

Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal