Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

I write this after completing a week of course counselling interviews with our current year 10 and 11 students. It was certainly a rewarding experience to catch up with so many students and parents to see how learning had progressed remotely during the latest period of lockdown. 

It was pleasing to see that most students although obviously wanting to see their peers face to face were showing high levels of engagement in their classes, and also participating in many of the activities that have been available this term. This week has seen Olympiad competitions in Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Biology as well as many house competitions. I have been particularly impressed with Year 10 student presentations on sustainable cities to industry panels organised through the Monash Tech School. Student groups presented virtually (pitched their urban improvement designs) to an Industry panel of town planners, Monash Council representatives, transport experts and business executives. These presentations were developed in a unit on settlement and urban development that is part of Year 10 Issues studies classes. Thanks to our Head of Humanities Mr Chris Mann for all his efforts in being able to get this program off the ground. 

We have been endeavouring to keep students and parents informed during the latest period of remote learning via a range of communications strategies such as bulletins, compass posts and by video information sessions. Our last general assembly The next video information session delivered on our Youtube channel is a GAT (General Achievement Test) information session for students who are completing year 12 subjects this year. This session is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd September at 5pm. Students will be sent a link prior to the session.

Year 12 SACs during the rest of Term 3

As mentioned in the media in recent times, the school may invite students back to school to complete mandatory assessments and to participate in activities essential to aspects of Year 12 assessment. Starting from next week we will invite some groups of students back to JMSS. As per Covid 19 regulations, students must wear masks, observe social distancing protocols and be temperature tested on entry to JMSS. Teachers organising SACs will also be checking whether students need to stay at school to complete other lessons. We will supervise students who have to come earlier or stay after assessments. For those students in the country or those who have legitimate reasons for not coming on site we will arrange virtual assessments. Any enquiries about this should be made to the VCE managers. All students coming back to JMSS will be issued with an onsite learning pass that must be carried with them when coming to and from school.

October Tests are also scheduled to be run in the second week of the term 3 holidays. We will communicate any changed arrangements once we check the latest advice closer to the time.

VTAC processes

September 11 is the JMSS day for all year 12 students to finish VTAC applications, SEAS applications, scholarship applications and requests for other information needed for interstate and overseas universities. Kirstine Carter our careers and pathways manager has been busily interviewing every year 12 student over this term and assisting them to navigate the VTAC process. 

A quick reminder that University open days have gone virtual this year and Monash’s open days are on this weekend.

Any Year 12 student who has not seen the VCE team to discuss SEAS, scholarships etc should arrange an interview asap at vce@jmss.vic.edu.au 

Andrew Chisholm

Assistant Principal