Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

As we approach Easter it does seem that the Term has passed very quickly. All of our new students seem to have settled in well and are meeting the challenges thrown in front of them head on. As we reach the end of term teachers have been conducting many assessments to get an indication about how students are progressing in each of their subjects. Parent Teacher Student conferences were especially well attended and we hope that the feedback to students and parents given at this event and also on Canvas will be informative and timely and also allow students to continue to perform to the best of their ability.

It is very important that any follow up and any suggestions made by teachers as how to improve performance in terms of work habits and the application of key knowledge and skills are acted upon. This may involve follow up work over the holidays and the creation of revision folders particularly at year 11 and 12 levels. This type of activity is great preparation for second term which has many assessments in all year levels scheduled in mid-term and an exam period in weeks 7 and 8 of Term 2.

Reef and Rainforest Trip 2021 

Our seventh expedition to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, James Cook University Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland is only a term away. 

A very well attended information night was held this week covering aspects of the itinerary, items to bring and any other preparation required. Mrs Vandenberg who is coordinating the trip at JMSS’s end is sending an email this week with links to some forms from Swall World Journeys (our trip facilitator in Cairns) that need completion by the start of May.

Monash University is also offering waterwise swimming courses for students who may want to improve their swimming prior to the trip. If this of interest to you please RSVP to me as soon as possible. Students have already completed a form to indicate their swimming ability, and this will also be taken into account when allocating places in this program.

Music Soirees

Over the last fortnight we have had 4 outstanding music performances held in the JMSS building that have been well attended by the JMSS community. The 4 performances have showcased the choir, VCE music students, piano students, stage band and strings orchestra. The last performance saw a one hour Vivaldi concert performed by the strings group that was superb.  Congratulations to all students who performed over the 4 nights and to the music teachers who after only about 8 weeks produced such high quality performances.

The JMSS strings orchestra is pictured below

Term 2

The start of term 2 will be a busy time at JMSS. The JMSS athletics sports, Anzac Day assembly, regional exchange, JMSS Open Night (done virtually again this year) and Music camp all occur in the first 3 weeks of term. Australian Dental Health Victoria will also have their mobile dental clinic at JMSS for all of week 1.

A quick reminder for our current Year 10’s that they need to really get moving find their work experience placement for the last week of Term 2 if they have not done so already. Although work experience is not compulsory this year we would encourage students to find a science related work opportunity for the last week of Term 2. Any enquiries can be directed to Kirstine Carter our Pathways manager at school.

Have a wonderful Easter !

Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal