Magis Report
John XXIII College
A select group of Years 7 to 9 Magis students embarked on our annual Magis Camp last Friday, enjoying an enriching and memorable experience designed specifically for gifted and talented learners. The camp is a much-anticipated highlight of the Magis calendar, providing students with opportunities to extend their learning, embrace new challenges, develop friendships, and celebrate their shared passion for curiosity and discovery.
The adventure began at WA Museum Boola Bardip, where students were placed into vertical teams, encouraging collaboration and connection across year groups. Their first workshop, Enterprising Entrepreneurs, challenged students to explore how innovators have transformed their passions into successful businesses. Working creatively in teams, students developed their own entrepreneurial ideas, demonstrating impressive problem-solving, innovation, and teamwork.
Students then participated in Lunar Design and Discovery, an exciting exploration of the Moon and its geology. After investigating objects from space in the Museum's Origins and Innovations galleries, students tackled a digital technology challenge, programming robotic lunar rovers to search for resources and explore how technology may shape the future of space exploration. It was inspiring to see students engage so enthusiastically with complex scientific and technological concepts.
After returning to the College, students enjoyed afternoon tea before taking part in an interactive workshop led by Ms Redfern, our Library and Learning Services Educator. Continuing the lunar theme, students explored the phases of the Moon and tested their learning with a hands-on Oreo challenge, combining learning with plenty of fun.
The group then travelled to Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre, where they enjoyed an inspiring keynote address from our 2026 Magis Captain, Catherine Gazia. Catherine reflected on the profound impact the Magis program has had on her own journey, sharing stories of lifelong friendships, invaluable skills, and extraordinary opportunities, including representing the College at Yale University in the United States. Her message was simple yet powerful: embrace every opportunity, say "yes" to new experiences, and trust that each challenge may lead to remarkable growth and unexpected possibilities.
Although wet weather prevented the scheduled astronomy session, student enthusiasm remained undiminished. The annual Magis Talent Show once again proved to be a camp favourite, showcasing an incredible range of talents, from comedy and dance to music and performance. Congratulations to Connor Siegert and Henry Larkin, whose entertaining rendition of Piano Man, complete with harmonica and vocals, earned them well-deserved top honours.
An early morning walk along the picturesque Swan River gave some of our keenest campers a refreshing start to Saturday before they gathered for the camp's much-loved finale, the Big Quiz. Expertly prepared by our Year 12 Magis students, the competition was fiercely contested and full of energy. Congratulations to Bonnie Erickson, Lucy Hayward, Henry Larkin, Daisy Price, and Connor Siegert on claiming this year's title.
Beyond the activities and workshops, the true success of the Magis Camp lay in the students' enthusiasm, camaraderie, and willingness to challenge themselves, support one another, and make the most of every opportunity. It was wonderful to witness so many students stepping outside their comfort zones, forming new friendships, and embracing the spirit of the Magis. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Harding from the Science Department and Mr O'Hara from the Mathematics Department for their generosity, enthusiasm, and support throughout the camp. Their dedication helped create a truly rewarding and memorable experience for our students. We are already looking forward to next year's Magis Camp.
Magis Awards Breakfast
We held our annual Magis Awards Breakfast yesterday in the Thomas More Exhibition Centre (TMEC), where students, staff, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Magis students. It was a wonderful morning filled with pride, connection, and recognition of the many ways our students strive for the Magis in their learning and pursuits. Before the ceremony, guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast and had the opportunity to explore a mini exhibition showcasing the depth of learning, curiosity, and academic challenge students embrace in the Magis Elective course. The displays featured exceptional Year 7 Inquiry posters, Year 9 pre-ATAR research booklets, and insights into the study of Philosophy, highlighting the rich and varied experiences available through the program. The exhibition provided a wonderful celebration of student achievement and the impressive levels of initiative, creativity, and scholarship demonstrated by our students. Click on the link for further information about the Inquiry Assessment and Philosophy course.
The Awards Ceremony was a joyful celebration of a truly outstanding year for the Magis community, providing an opportunity to recognise the dedication, curiosity, and excellence demonstrated by our students throughout 2026. The morning also gave us the chance to acknowledge four exceptional young scholars, Thomas Archibald, Lily King, Henry McGlue, and James Sommerfield, and wish them every success as they travel to the United States next week to compete at the prestigious Tournament of Champions at Yale University. We are incredibly proud of these students and look forward to following their journey as they represent our College on the world stage.
A program like Magis is only possible because of the support and commitment of a remarkable community. My sincere thanks go to our staff, students, and families, whose encouragement, enthusiasm, and partnership continue to enrich the program and inspire our students to achieve their very best.
As we look ahead to Magis 2027, we hope this program will continue to inspire students to pursue excellence, embrace new opportunities, and use their gifts in service of others. Congratulations to all of our award recipients. Your achievements are a testament to your hard work, determination, and passion for learning, and we are immensely proud of all that you have accomplished. A full list of award recipients can be found below.
You can stay up to date with our schedule of competitions and events by viewing the Magis calendar, which you can access by clicking the link below.
Daisy Farley
Head of Magis – Gifted and Talented
Magis: Opportunities to do more!
Note: All expressions of interest should be sent to the Magis Assistant: magis@johnxxiii.edu.au
Summer Camp for Gifted and Talented Students
BRAINways Education, in conjunction with University of Western Australia, is pleased to offer the BRAINways Summer Camp – program for gifted and talented students of Perth. The following topics will be offered to Year 7 students: The Mathematics of Plagiarism, The Science of Stage Fright, Rollercoaster Science, and The Essence of Humanity in Science Fiction. For those students interested in attending, you will require a signed nomination form from the Head of Magis. Further information can be found below and/or on the BRAINways Education website (Summer Camp – Perth – Brainways Registration). The Summer Camp will be held on 23-24 January 2027.
Curtin Rising Scholar Program
Attention current Years 9 to 11 students: Curtin University is pleased to invite schools to nominate gifted and talented Years 10 to 12 students for the Rising Scholar Program (RSP) in Semester 1, 2027. This program offers high-achieving students the chance to get a head start on their university journey by completing Curtin University units while completing their high school studies.
Program Overview:
- High-ability Years 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to enrol in one Curtin University unit per semester (up to four units in total)
- Participants can choose to study either on campus or online (course dependent)
- An A-grade average is required for all students and all units. This is assessed against their MESH subject results (Maths, English, Science and HASS).
- The Health Science Faculty requires all Health Science students to be 16 years or older as of 15 February 2027. We apologise for any inconvenience—unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.
- All places are fully sponsored with no fees payable. Though it should be noted, due to the program’s competitive nature, we strongly advise early applications.
For further information about this outstanding learning opportunity, including unit offerings, application guide, information PowerPoint, etc., please see Magis Teams, and/or speak with the Head of Magis and/or the Head of Pathways and Transition.
