JMSS Entry For 2018

[Appo]

Oh what, that's so sad D:
I planned to start 2 VCE (or at least 1) subjects in Year 10. Why isn't it being accredited?

Just edited my response, have a look again.

[Shadestache]

Hold up, there's some misconceptions here, Bio 1/2 is taught in Year 10 but is not accredited as a VCE subject. Lot's of the bio elective sciences are the same as VCE biology. The cells to systems kids did the Biology Unit 1 exam in semester 1.

So only physics and methods are accredited as VCE subjects in Yr10? While stuff like bio and chem are done through electives?

[Appo]

So only physics and methods are accredited as VCE subjects in Yr10? While stuff like bio and chem are done through electives?

Yes, that is correct. There are some exceptions where some students might do a language outside of school. A large majority of the science electives are based around the VCE curriculum, they're made to help you find your passion and transition into the VCE sciences.

[Shadestache]

Yes, that is correct. There are some exceptions where some students might do a language outside of school. A large majority of the science electives are based around the VCE curriculum, they're made to help you find your passion and transition into the VCE sciences.

It's weird that they only allow physics. Isn't Physics 1/2 usually done in Year 11? Since it's considered a relatively hard subject?
(Sorry, I know I'm being super annoying with all these questions XD)

[Appo]

It's weird that they only allow physics. Isn't Physics 1/2 usually done in Year 11? Since it's considered a relatively hard subject?
(Sorry, I know I'm being super annoying with all these questions XD)

It's fine with the questions, kinda enjoy answering them (have nothing better to do).

Physics Unit 2 is considered an elective science here so around 90% of the class don't continue it on to 3/4 Physics. The reason why they allow it in year 10 is because they only have one other physics related elective science (Life in the Universe) so they decided it'd be a good idea to carry on the Physics 1/2 curriculum into an elective science (but is still accredited by VCAA as Unit 2 Physics).

[Shadestache]

It's fine with the questions, kinda enjoy answering them (have nothing better to do).

Physics Unit 2 is considered an elective science here so around 90% of the class don't continue it on to 3/4 Physics. The reason why they allow it in year 10 is because they only have one other physics related elective science (Life in the Universe) so they decided it'd be a good idea to carry on the Physics 1/2 curriculum into an elective science (but is still accredited by VCAA as Unit 2 Physics).

Alright, thank you!
What science electives have you done this year? And what did you like/dislike about them?

[Appo]

Alright, thank you!
What science electives have you done this year? And what did you like/dislike about them?

I did Quarks to Quasars in Semester 1 (now named Life in the Universe). The subject was a crash course on university astronomy/astrophysics, we learnt a lot of topics in one semester.

Some positives:
- Lots of information
- Interesting if you're into physics

Yeah pretty much, most of the subject is based around projects/assignments rather than tests.

Some negatives:
- Lots of information
- Boring if you're not into physics
 
If you're not interested in astronomy or physics, no point picking the subject or you'll just get bored.

I'm currently doing Physics Unit 2 this semester. The subject is a compressed course on Physics Units 1/2 in one semester, some topics are taken out as they aren't used in Physics 3/4.

Some positives:
- Really fast paced classes, twice the speed of the year 11 physics class (if you're into that)
- Lots of practical work (majority in the electricity part)
- Majority is board work
- Edrolo and Physics textbook as resources
- Good teacher
- New physics and concepts

Some Negatives
- Really fast paced classes, twice the speed of the year 11 physics class (if you're not into that)
- Requires good conceptual understanding (if you understand what you're doing, it's a lot easier)
- Lots of board work (if you get bored)
- Can be difficult (depending on if you know what you're doing or not)
- You have to sit SACs (there's around 4 throughout the semester).
- You require a recommendation from your science teacher to undergo this subject

Crash Course on the other electives offered::
Semester 1 & 2

• Logic to Magic
Maths based elective science, explores the theory and concepts behind specific math. Really good teacher with a small interactive class. Cool practical work like making fancy geometrical shapes out of coloured paper and putting them on display. If you're really into maths and don't find the other subjects appealing, this is your go to class.

• Dynamic Earth
Your geology subject. Lots of field work (many excursions to different places, lots of camps). You have your own rock journal and analyse rocks and stuff and learn about the different types of rocks you can find and stuff. If you likes rocks, geology and field work, do this subject.

• Nanotechnology
Instead of learning about the universe and stars and stuff, you do the opposite and learn about atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other. You learn about stuff that is at the nano scale. Similar course to Chemistry 1/2, if you like chemistry, worth trying out this subject.

• Life in the Universe
Like I previously stated, it's a crash course in astronomy and astrophysics. All about stars, planets and space. If you're into this stuff, really worth picking it up as you'll learn a LOT.

• Imaging Science
Legit have no clue, I think it's related to biology and microscopes, don't take my word for this subject.

• Cells to Systems
Subject based around VCE biology. You learn about cells and the anatomy/physiology of humans. If you're planning to do Biology 3/4 in year 11, this subject will be helpful.

• Marine Biology
Pretty much biology but for fish and marine life. You go on some camps which involve diving, swimming and snorkeling. Seems like a pretty cool subject if you're into fish and water.

• Bioinformatics
Another subject based around VCE biology. You learn about genetics and stuff. If you're planning to do Biology 3/4 in year 11, this subject might be helpful.

• Pharmaceutical Science
Subject is mainly about pharmacy and chemistry (a mix of medicine, chem and bio). This subject is a mix of VCE Chemistry and Biology. Worth doing if you're looking into a combo of biochemistry in year 11 (biology and chemistry).

• Physics Unit 2
This is your raw physics subject, if you like conceptual and theoretical work in the field of physics, this is your subject. Because of time constraints, the only topics you do is electricity (small-medium sized), motion (medium-large sized) and an EI (extended investigation).

• Spectroscopic Science
You learn about microscopes and analysing data or something. No idea what it is lul.

• Material Science and Engineering [NEW]
New subject based on engineering and material science. You get to work in collaboration with the engineering department at Monash and get to 3D print designs and stuff out. Not sure how often you get to go into their labs but I know you do at least once (I think).

[emonerd]

I did Quarks to Quasars in Semester 1 (now named Life in the Universe). The subject was a crash course on university astronomy/astrophysics, we learnt a lot of topics in one semester.

Some positives:
- Lots of information
- Interesting if you're into physics

Yeah pretty much, most of the subject is based around projects/assignments rather than tests.

Some negatives:
- Lots of information
- Boring if you're not into physics
 
If you're not interested in astronomy or physics, no point picking the subject or you'll just get bored.

I'm currently doing Physics Unit 2 this semester. The subject is a compressed course on Physics Units 1/2 in one semester, some topics are taken out as they aren't used in Physics 3/4.

Some positives:
- Really fast paced classes, twice the speed of the year 11 physics class (if you're into that)
- Lots of practical work (majority in the electricity part)
- Majority is board work
- Edrolo and Physics textbook as resources
- Good teacher
- New physics and concepts

Some Negatives
- Really fast paced classes, twice the speed of the year 11 physics class (if you're not into that)
- Requires good conceptual understanding (if you understand what you're doing, it's a lot easier)
- Lots of board work (if you get bored)
- Can be difficult (depending on if you know what you're doing or not)
- You have to sit SACs (there's around 4 throughout the semester).
- You require a recommendation from your science teacher to undergo this subject

Crash Course on the other electives offered::
Semester 1 & 2

• Logic to Magic
Maths based elective science, explores the theory and concepts behind specific math. Really good teacher with a small interactive class. Cool practical work like making fancy geometrical shapes out of coloured paper and putting them on display. If you're really into maths and don't find the other subjects appealing, this is your go to class.

• Dynamic Earth
Your geology subject. Lots of field work (many excursions to different places, lots of camps). You have your own rock journal and analyse rocks and stuff and learn about the different types of rocks you can find and stuff. If you likes rocks, geology and field work, do this subject.

• Nanotechnology
Instead of learning about the universe and stars and stuff, you do the opposite and learn about atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other. You learn about stuff that is at the nano scale. Similar course to Chemistry 1/2, if you like chemistry, worth trying out this subject.

• Life in the Universe
Like I previously stated, it's a crash course in astronomy and astrophysics. All about stars, planets and space. If you're into this stuff, really worth picking it up as you'll learn a LOT.

• Imaging Science
Legit have no clue, I think it's related to biology and microscopes, don't take my word for this subject.

• Cells to Systems
Subject based around VCE biology. You learn about cells and the anatomy/physiology of humans. If you're planning to do Biology 3/4 in year 11, this subject will be helpful.

• Marine Biology
Pretty much biology but for fish and marine life. You go on some camps which involve diving, swimming and snorkeling. Seems like a pretty cool subject if you're into fish and water.

• Bioinformatics
Another subject based around VCE biology. You learn about genetics and stuff. If you're planning to do Biology 3/4 in year 11, this subject might be helpful.

• Pharmaceutical Science
Subject is mainly about pharmacy and chemistry (a mix of medicine, chem and bio). This subject is a mix of VCE Chemistry and Biology. Worth doing if you're looking into a combo of biochemistry in year 11 (biology and chemistry).

• Physics Unit 2
This is your raw physics subject, if you like conceptual and theoretical work in the field of physics, this is your subject. Because of time constraints, the only topics you do is electricity (small-medium sized), motion (medium-large sized) and an EI (extended investigation).

• Spectroscopic Science
You learn about microscopes and analysing data or something. No idea what it is lul.

• Material Science and Engineering [NEW]
New subject based on engineering and material science. You get to work in collaboration with the engineering department at Monash and get to 3D print designs and stuff out. Not sure how often you get to go into their labs but I know you do at least once (I think).

oh damn this is gonna kill me hahaha I want to do like, all of those omg how tf am I supposed to pick 2 ahhhh

[amtopm]

All the electives are science electives. In year 10, you do maths (or methods), English, science, Health/PE, sports, emerging technologies (or french/jap) and 2 science electives.

Okay thanks! So on the prospectus (http://www.jmss.vic.edu.au/images/2018_JMSS_Prospectus_web.pdf) it has a section called co-curricular program, what does that mean?

Also if you don't mind explainging to me how a school day would run in terms of the amount of subjects etc? And is there any humanities subject? Thanks!

[Appo]

Okay thanks! So on the prospectus (http://www.jmss.vic.edu.au/images/2018_JMSS_Prospectus_web.pdf) it has a section called co-curricular program, what does that mean?

Also if you don't mind explainging to me how a school day would run in terms of the amount of subjects etc? And is there any humanities subject? Thanks!

Co-curricular is like extra activities at school time. They're run on Wednesdays after lunch and go till the end of school (3:30).

Here's the list of co-curricular subjects for 2017, they are subject to change for 2018:
Learning to be:
1A – A Capella Choir*
1B – Jazz-Rock band*
1C – Strings Orchestra*
1D – Drama
1E – Drawing
1F – Dance
1G - Photography

Learning to do:
2A – Fencing
2B – Sport
2C – Yoga
2D - Group Fitness
2F – Gym
2G – Netball
2H - Quidditch
2I - Elite Sport*
2J – Volleyball
2K – Cricket*

Learning to Know
3A - The Internet Of Things (accredited)
3B - Open Ended Programming
3C - Little Scientists Big Science*
3D - Robocup Rescue
3E - Robocup Junior
3F -   Chess
3G – Mini Mathematicians

Learning to live together
4A – Positive Psychology
4B - Community Service*
4C - Model United Nations
4D - Cake decorating
4E – Warhammer 40k/Table Top Gaming
4F – VET*
4G - Environment Club
LOTE
Language via Distance Ed
Language with Outside Provider

A school day generally runs like this:
[8:40] Period 1 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[9:40] Period 2 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[10:40] Recess - 25 minutes
[11:05] Mentor Group (based on your house) - 15 minutes
[11:20] Period 3 - 65 minutes (Core Subject)
[12:25] Period 4 - 60 minuntes (Core Subject)
[1:25] Lunch - 50 minuttes
[2:15] Period 5 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[3:15] School Ends

Some days of the week, your period 1 will be 90 minutes and period 2 will be 30 minutes. On Wednesdays, there are only 4 periods and after lunch you have co-curricular for around 2 hours, school ends at 3:30 that day.

Your humanities subject is Issue Studies (Core Subject).

[amtopm]

Co-curricular is like extra activities at school time. They're run on Wednesdays after lunch and go till the end of school (3:30).

Here's the list of co-curricular subjects for 2017, they are subject to change for 2018:
Learning to be:
1A – A Capella Choir*
1B – Jazz-Rock band*
1C – Strings Orchestra*
1D – Drama
1E – Drawing
1F – Dance
1G - Photography

Learning to do:
2A – Fencing
2B – Sport
2C – Yoga
2D - Group Fitness
2F – Gym
2G – Netball
2H - Quidditch
2I - Elite Sport*
2J – Volleyball
2K – Cricket*

Learning to Know
3A - The Internet Of Things (accredited)
3B - Open Ended Programming
3C - Little Scientists Big Science*
3D - Robocup Rescue
3E - Robocup Junior
3F -   Chess
3G – Mini Mathematicians

Learning to live together
4A – Positive Psychology
4B - Community Service*
4C - Model United Nations
4D - Cake decorating
4E – Warhammer 40k/Table Top Gaming
4F – VET*
4G - Environment Club
LOTE
Language via Distance Ed
Language with Outside Provider

A school day generally runs like this:
[8:40] Period 1 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[9:40] Period 2 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[10:40] Recess - 25 minutes
[11:05] Mentor Group (based on your house) - 15 minutes
[11:20] Period 3 - 65 minutes (Core Subject)
[12:25] Period 4 - 60 minuntes (Core Subject)
[1:25] Lunch - 50 minuttes
[2:15] Period 5 - 60 minutes (Core Subject)
[3:15] School Ends

Some days of the week, your period 1 will be 90 minutes and period 2 will be 30 minutes. On Wednesdays, there are only 4 periods and after lunch you have co-curricular for around 2 hours, school ends at 3:30 that day.

Your humanities subject is Issue Studies (Core Subject).

Thanks so much that's super helpful! I have one last question sorry  in year 11 and 12 are there the same subject options as a normal school doing vce? Thanks again.

[Appo]

Thanks so much that's super helpful! I have one last question sorry  in year 11 and 12 are there the same subject options as a normal school doing vce? Thanks again.

Primarily yes; however, at JMSS you can do Algorithmic's 3/4 and Extended Investigation 3/4 which only few schools offer in Victoria.

Another subject in year 11 is Computatonal Physics 1/2 which is exclusive to JMSS. You can do it in replacement of Physics and Specialists 1/2 which then leads into Physics and Specialists 3/4 in year 12. It's made for people that like physics and maths.

Unfortunately there are few subjects that you cannot do at JMSS but can do through distance Ed. Legal Studies and Philosophy aren't offered here (not sure if bus management is either).

[DiamondEyes]

Hi,

I really want to try out for JMSS next year. Has anyone gotten in without tuition?

Thanks!

If you're already doing well then you probably didn't need tuition. Just know the year 9 curriculum and some of the year 10 would be good (advanced math etc). Personally, I've never had a tutor and didn't prepare for the entrance exam until two days before, and happened to make it. It's up to you

[miguel_1]

Primarily yes; however, at JMSS you can do Algorithmic's 3/4 and Extended Investigation 3/4 which only few schools offer in Victoria.

Another subject in year 11 is Computatonal Physics 1/2 which is exclusive to JMSS. You can do it in replacement of Physics and Specialists 1/2 which then leads into Physics and Specialists 3/4 in year 12. It's made for people that like physics and maths.

Unfortunately there are few subjects that you cannot do at JMSS but can do through distance Ed. Legal Studies and Philosophy aren't offered here (not sure if bus management is either).

Busman isnt

[sZera]

Adding to @Appo's elective summary (don't wanna quote it cuz its so long)

Marine Biology
you don't get to go on camp (I'm not sure why its on the prospectus?), You also learn about sediments and marine environments.

Analytical Spectroscopic Science
It's basically forensic science; analysing data, chromatography etc

Imaging Science
You basically learn about electromagnetic waves, rays etc. It's mostly about image perception.

And also Cells to Systems involves psychology as well not just biology... Don't be too stressed about electives, they'll give you a handbook about what the subjects are about.