Peter Corkill
Principal
Dear Parents and Students
We are now entering into the full swing of Term Two with much happening at JMSS.
Exam Advice
I would advise all students to have a look through this article as there are some important tips and ideas to help you manage time, prepare appropriately and be at your best for the June exam period. This is the second of three instalments to help students get through these busy, and for some, stressful times.
Information Night – Prospective Students for 2020 Welcomed!
I would like to congratulate and thank our students and staff for their help at our recent annual Information Night. A special thanks to our School Student Leaders Francine Machin and Raj Gaddam who hosted the night so ably, and to Year 10 students Hannah Parker and Charles Ma who spoke so honestly and passionately about their new school. The attendance was again massive, which augurs well for student enrolments here next year and in the years to come. The presence of so many of our Monash colleagues sent a powerful message about the strength and productivity of our unique partnership. Professor Kris Ryan and Dr. Jim Driscoll spoke passionately about the importance of the partnership and the outstanding opportunities afforded our students as a result. The performances on stage of our music students, the Stage Band and Concert Band, were again most impressive, and helped to show the diversity of opportunity at JMSS.
Tours of the school for prospective students and parents are taking place this week and next. Our student group leaders and staff leaders are again doing an impressive job of sharing their knowledge and experience of JMSS with our eager visitors.
Science Exhibition Evening
I am looking forward to seeing the impressive standard of work, and enthusiastic presentation of projects by our Year 10 scientists at the Science Exhibition evening next week on Tuesday May 21st. The many visitors to JMSS look forward to sharing conversations with our students about their work and are usually captivated by their passion for it. To think these students have been here for well less than a semester is remarkable, and my sincere congratulations to them all, as well as their teachers, for putting this event together. Many prospective students and their parents will also attend this event, and I would encourage all members of our community with an interest in science to come along and support our students.
Regional Exchange
We warmly welcome 24 student visitors from remote and regional Victoria, in our annual Regional Exchange. All of our visitors seem to have settled well into their new routine and environment, and are rising to the many challenges inherent in this experience. Our visitors come from an expanse stretching across the state, many several hours drive away, with school populations much smaller than JMSS in some cases. The welcome lunch on Sunday was a wonderful start to what we hope will be an exciting time here for these students.
The grateful thanks of our visitors and their families go to the JMSS home-stay mums, dads and children. I trust you will all build friendships which will last, and the opportunities your generosity has availed these young people cannot be over-stated. We will be joined by regional teachers at the beginning of week 3 of the exchange, and we look forward to the projects these students will be undertaking being a feature of our October Science Fair. The students have already enjoyed an experience in Science within the university, and will taste a few of Melbourne’s delights, including an AFL Football match MCG-style when Geelong takes on Essendon on Saturday night.
A Strategic Approach to Study Part TWO – Before, During and After Exams
We are soon about to enter the important mid-year exam period, and I would like to wish all of our students the very best during this time. Written exams are reality in schools, some find them a positive experience and a chance to show what they know and can do, for others the exams are dreaded for the fear of underperforming. The former description IS THE REALITY, the latter is not. It is just a misfire in your thinking. If you prepare well, get plenty of rest and maintain a balance over the next two weeks, you will be at your best when you need to be.
I thought I would devote the last instalment of ‘A Strategic Approach to Study’ to some positive tips for students in overcoming the nerves which naturally arrive at this time.
Exam Advice Part One: Before Exams
I would like to reinforce some tips for PREPARATION which should stand you all in good stead. You need to start NOW.
1. As a first step complete a summary page for each topic in each subject you are sitting an exam for. Include headings, key ideas, examples, diagrams, and show how the ideas are linked. Use colour to assist you to recall these ideas when you need them.
2. Obtain practice questions and start working through them. You can get these from chapter reviews, revision sheets, past exams. If you are in Year 12, the ‘Checkpoint’ series of books and past exam papers are great resources.
3. As you get closer to the exams, try questions under test conditions to ‘road-test’ your skills under pressure. Always do at least one full practice exam under test conditions before the real one. This has become standard practice for most students doing a Unit 3, 4 Study.
4. Always get feedback on any and all of this extra work you do. Check by looking over answer sheets, chapter answers or examiners reports. Discuss difficulties with fellow students and teachers. Doing this will greatly improve your confidence before you begin.
Exam Advice Part Two – During an Exam
1. Ensure a good night’s sleep before the exam. There is little point staying up unnecessarily late – perhaps better to get up earlier and do some final preparation.
2. Make sure you are at the exam venue at least 30 minutes prior to the starting time. There is no excuse for lateness which shows total disregard for other students in the exam who will be disrupted because of your late arrival.
3. Make sure you have all necessary equipment, including a dictionary if allowed, spare battery for your calculator, mathematical drawing equipment if that is necessary, and any notes you are allowed to take in.
4. Once inside you may begin reading ONLY when you are directed to by the supervisor. Strict silence at all times in the exam room. If you have a question, raise your hand. You must NOT pick up a pen until instructed to do so.
5. Use reading time wisely. Read through the full exam at least once, more if you have time. Most exams contain questions graded in difficulty from easiest to hardest. You can use reading time to decide on the order you are going to attempt t