Magis report 

Our College Senior Ethics Team competed in the International Ethics Olympiad Final on Wednesday. They competed against 40 qualifying teams from seven countries - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The international panel of judges commended the students on a superb ethical discussion – which made judging extremely difficult… CONGRATULATIONS to our College team, Gemma Bailey, Meg Cleary, Meg Derbyshire and Asha Paton, who were awarded the Bronze Medal - with University of Toronto School (Canada) awarded gold, and Santa Sabina College (NSW) awarded silver. An outstanding achievement and well deserved!

Special thanks to Ms Tripi for supervising the team on the day.

Here are some takeaways from the competition:

Gemma Bailey (Year 10)

The Ethics Olympiad is a fantastic opportunity. In reading and researching the cases you learn about topics and specific ethical debates that allow you to think more deeply about morals and your beliefs about the wider society. The competition allows you to polish up your public speaking and debating skills, whilst also fostering an environment of meaningful collaboration with the opposite team - as opposed to debating where you have to argue against the opposition. The standard of teams is incredibly high and everyone is there to have an enjoyable yet reflective and thoughtful discussion. It not only encourages teamwork, but also strengthens the relationship within the team - as often you have to be able to think as one, discussing between yourselves for only a minute before presenting a united and cohesive argument. This competition is fun, engaging, thought provoking and thoroughly one of the best Magis opportunities available. 10/10 would recommend students to get involved!

Meg Cleary (Year 10)

The Ethics Olympiad evokes a lot of interesting ethical conversations that continue after the actual competition part is over and gets all the participants to really think and delve deep into their morals and beliefs on the topics that the Olympiad focuses on and other side topics that get brought up during the discussions. The topics are engaging and they point out standpoints that wouldn't have been thought of before and encourage students to collaborate to bring together a viewpoint that is expanded upon by the other team, which allows further sides of the discussion to be shown. Thanks to Ms Farley and other supervising teachers for the time and effort put into allowing us to participate in this wonderful competition!

Meg Derbyshire (Year 10)

Ethic's Olympiad is one of my favourite competitions. It's a fun day where you get to have ethical discussions about engaging cases, which provoke interesting thoughts and ideas. These cases range in subject with questions designed to challenge you and make you come up with original and innovative viewpoints. It's always a pleasure to listen to the other teams who challenge your perspectives and ideology - helping you expand the way you view ethical and moral problems. I would really recommend it for anyone considering participating. Your perspective is always challenged and you come out of it, thinking over your beliefs and ideals.

Asha Paton (Year 10)

The Ethics Olympiad was an opportunity I am so grateful to have had. To get into the finals was so unexpected - its a dream come true - and I am so proud of our team. This is such a fun competition and I would recommend it to everyone, as is it helpful in improving your understanding of the world around you and how ethics come into play. Looking at issues through an ethical lens and perspective and discussing it in a supportive and informative situation is so enlightening, and it gives you a whole other perspective on life. Thank you so much to my team members, and to Miss Farley for being the absolute best, even when she was struck down by COVID she still helped us and guided us on the day, and to Miss Tripi for supervising and encouraging us! Thanks to the school for giving us this opportunity, which progressed past our wildest dreams. It was the best day and as a young person wanting to get more involved in the world around me - it truly helped me see new points of view.

Once again, congratulations to our Senior Ethics Team – you are an inspiration for our Junior Ethics Teams who will be competing in the Regional Competition later this Semester.

You can keep up to date with Magis and Altiora events by following the Term 3 calendar – which can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Daisy Farley

Magis Coordinator – Gifted and Talented