Magis

An important highlight of the Magis program in this final week of term has been the Debating Breakfast on Wednesday which saw 28 interschool debating attend the breakfast.  This was followed by excellent workshops presented by WADL representatives Madu Venkatesan, who addressed the advanced debaters, and Elizabeth Marsh who spoke to the novice competitors. Debating preparation will change next term, moving to Monday and Wednesday mornings to avoid clashes with sport and other after school events. Two of our outstanding current Year 12 debaters, Rory Hewson and Charlie Richards will take a new role in mentoring some of the novice teams.

Results from the Da Vinci Decathlon revealed some fine performances. With over 30 top colleges and high school participating in this prestigious program, the Year 9 and Year 7 teams excelled, finishing 7th and 8th respectively, whilst John XXIII College did particularly well in Creative Producers with Year 11s winning, Year 9 coming 3rd and Year 10 coming 7th, and in cartography, which Year 9 won, Year 8’s were 2nd , Year 11’s 7th, and Year 8 finished 13th. Congratulations and thanks to all team members and the teachers who gave great assistance with assisting the students to prepare for this challenging event.

Entries for the World Scholar’s Cup are being finalised, and John XXIII College will be fielding a record number of either 11 or 12 teams at the WA Championship at Sacred Heart College on 31 May and 1 June.  There are four teams from Year 7, three from Years 8 and 10, and two from Year 9.  Preparation will begin in week one next term, but teams are encouraged to commence over the holidays if they have not done so, via the resources on the WSC website.

Magis will be running two major competitions, the John XXIII College Public Speaking and Creative Writing competitions early next term, with short stories dues on the first Friday of term, and public speaking heats being held during week 2.  Finally, warmest thanks to all students and the many teachers who have been involved in this very successful first term of the gifted and talented program. Highlights have included the three academic seminar breakfasts, and record numbers and very good  in the major gifted and talented events, WADL Debating, Creative Edge  and Da Vinci Decathlon, whilst the 2020 Space Tour has also be finalised, and Year 7 and 8 Personal Projects seem to be progressing very well.

Jim Miller

Gifted and Talented Coordinator

Magis & Altiora Calendar

Term Two

• May 1 - Magis Public Speaking Breakfast
• May 6 - Magis Public Speaking Heats
• May 10 - Julie Arliss G/T at St Hilda’s
• May 14 - Magis Public Speaking Final (GBLT)
• May 17-18 - World Scholar’s Cup Camp
• May 23 - Mental Maths Challenge
• May 31 - J1 World Scholar’s regionals SHC
• June 12 - Magis Academic Knowledge
• June 26 - Magis Awards & Personal Project Breakfast