Peter Corkill

Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of John Monash Science School,

I trust this newsletter finds you all safe and well. With the regular Updates to Community I have found my communication with you all much focussed on the issues impacting JMSS due to life in the COVID 19 era, so it is refreshing to hit the keyboard with other news.

A huge congratulations to Mal Anderson and his team of dedicated staff for all their wonderful work in organising and making sure the Year 10 Induction Camp was such a great success. I had the pleasure of speaking to all of the students on the day of their arrival, and on the last day of the camp, having seen many of the events during the week, and taking part in the rotations back at school which added further to everyone’s understanding of the school and its processes, as well as sparking much thinking about how to prepare for the year and most importantly how to make the most of every opportunity. The Talent Show on the second night is always one of my favourite events on the school calendar. Not only does it show the new Year 10 students what an amazing array of talent they have within their cohort, it also shows them all the great benefits which accrue when everyone is supported, everyone is encouraged, and everyone is thanked for putting their talents on display. It is indeed a special time, and one which has become a microcosm of what is to follow.

It mirrors the very ethos of the school – support one another, encourage one another, don’t be afraid to share and show your talents to others, and pick people up when times get hard. The whole theme of ‘A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats’ rings never more true than in this event, and I hope it is a memory which will last for everyone. For indeed people are capable of amazing achievements when they have the belief and support of others. It is the mind-frame which powers our academic work and achievement, and helps our students during the difficult times they will all face at one time or another.

Indeed this is a lesson for life. Support, Collaboration and Belief, both in yourself and in others, can power people to great heights. Everyone at JMSS should remember that.

This week we look forward to the annual House Swimming Sports on Thursday. Attendance at this event is compulsory for all students, as all strive to win points for their respective Houses in the school’s first major House event for the year.

New Staff at JMSS

A huge welcome to JMSS to the following new members of staff:

Please make them all welcome when you meet them.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021

We were delighted with the academic performance of our Year 12 cohort last year, and even more delighted with the tertiary offers they received. A mighty 96.5% of all graduating students have been accepted into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) courses, surely an amazing outcome on all counts, and a wonderful endorsement of the school’s mission. I have copied some statistics for your interest:

Well Done, And Keep It Going!

In conclusion we are off to a good start, with the new COVID protocols seemingly working well. My sincere thanks to Assistant Principal Mr. Jeremy Mackinnon, and his most able ‘dynamic duo in Tanya Hempshall and Erin Veldsman for putting the protocols together and keeping everyone up to date with information of any positive cases onsite, helping to ensure communication channels between home and school work seamlessly and parents and students feel fully supported.

There is no doubt the challenges will continue to arise from time to time, but we are confident we have made an excellent start. Let’s all do our best to comply with the instructions put in place for the safety and health of everyone.

Peter Corkill

Principal