Sally Cheah - Johnson

Assitant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

We are now approaching Week 8 of Term 3.  It has certainly been a very hectic term.  There were many SACs on one hand and many events and activities organised by the students on the other.  Our students are very proactive in organising events and activities that bring the school community together in celebrating school spirit and camaraderie.  We had the Lip Sync Battles, Battle of the Bands, Student versus Staff Sports Competitions and Music Soiree.  I would like to congratulate all the student leaders for their work in organising these activities.

I would also like to congratulate and thank the students who helped in the Breakfast Club.  Every Tuesday, students enjoy breakfast provided by the Breakfast Club.  All the above-mentioned activities provide JMSS with a great sense of community and team spirit.  We are very proud of our students for their initiatives and willingness to contribute to the school community.

I would like to take this opportunity to mention a recent accomplishment of a group of students who won third place in the Inter school Chess Tournaments.  They now qualify to participate in the State Championships.  My congratulations to Imanya Kodituwakku, Kendrick Lo, Nikolai Tee, Steven Fernandes, Lachlan O’Brien, Ranudi Wickramarahchi, Henry Nguyen and Samuel Chaw. 

Imanya also won the title of Best Female Chess Player in the tournament.  Congratulations Imanya.

2020 School Captains applications:

Our school is very fortunate to have a large number of applications from our students for the 2020 School Captaincy.  It is indeed an excellent reflection of the passion of our students to contribute to the JMSS community.  I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all the applicants for their courage and willingness to stand for the leadership positions.  

The calibre of the applicants is very high.  The Selection Panel is currently shortlisting the large number of applications.  Shortlisted applicants will soon be notified for an interview with the Selection Panel.   My best wishes to all of you.

Preparing for the rest of this Semester:

As schoolwork gains momentum, I would like to remind students on the importance of having good self-care such as in good sleeping habits and good nutrition.  Regular exercise and engaging in hobbies that help you to relax and reinvigorate are also important routines for self-care.

Now is the time to start planning and organising a study schedule for the final exams in November.  I hope students will be proactive and approach teachers to assist them when in difficulties with their studies.  Support each other and work as a team. 

To conclude, I would like to suggest a few things that students can consider:

At home:

Use your time efficiently in your study and preparation.  Studying for a long period of time is not a good thing.  Studies have shown that people tend to slow down when they work on the same thing for too long.  Try to give yourself short regular breaks so that you can refresh and re-invigorate. 

An intensive two-hour study session can cover as much ground than extended hours of half-hearted or exhausted shuffling about.  Have a ‘study space’ where you can concentrate fully on your tasks and studies.  Stay away from deterrents on your concentration such as the television. A lack of concentration is often one of the deterrents for a student to work effectively. 

In class:

Across the 5 periods of our school day, there is a lot of listening – to teachers, students, oral presentations and class discussions.  Active listening is different from simply hearing something.  Active listening requires you to listen for ideas, not words. To listen effectively you need to pay attention to not only what is said but also how something is said. Listening takes a great deal of focus and concentration.  So don’t be distracted. 

Listening is a key skill for your success both at school and beyond.  Sitting near the front of the room will help you feel more involved and enable you to see and hear more effectively, as well as avoid possible distractions. Take notes of key ideas during the lesson.  Class notes are very important as they provide you with a summary of relevant and important points that can be useful for revision. Writing notes can also help you to concentrate more on what your teacher is saying.

Sally Cheah-Johnson

Assistant Principal