Magis report
Welcome to another exciting year for our Magis Program! Magis refers to the philosophy of doing more for Christ, and therefore doing more for others. It is a philosophy that guides our Magis students to push themselves further in all areas of College life – from their academic achievements, their commitment to extra-curricular activities, to their service and leadership within the College and wider community.
We look forward to the continual growth of our program, to new ventures, and the return of competitions which did not take place last year due to COVID, including Jesuit National Debating. This year, we have fifteen interschool competitions scheduled for our gifted students, as well as several Clubs, Academic Seminar Breakfasts, and special events including our Bell Shakespeare Incursion in Term 3. We also have our College Public Speaking and Creative Writing Competitions which are open to all students, as well as the College Chess Tournament. Students will also have the opportunity to test their knowledge, and win valuable House points, in the annual Homeroom Magis Challenges which will cover topics such as: Spelling, STEM, Music, Humanities, Art, Languages, Literature and Theology.
Communication to Magis students is mainly via the weekly Magis Memo and Teams – and with so much happening it is important that students read these notices carefully.
Nominations for the Magis Student Committee are now open. The Committee, which consists of 18-20 students from Years 8-12, will be led by our 2023 Magis Captain Daniel Doran. Committee members will provide leadership and support to our Magis students, as well as assistance with the overall development of the program.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2022 graduating class on their exceptional ATAR results. Special mention to the College Dux and last year’s Magis Champion Scholar and committee member, Natalie Ong, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.6 – an outstanding achievement!
Magis: Opportunities to do more!
The Magis Program continues to offer students the chance to compete in the top state gifted student competitions as well as national and global events. Expressions of Interest are now open for the following competitions. For further information please visit the Magis Office or email the Magis Coordinator.
Western Australian Debating League (WADL)
The WADL Schools Debating Competition (SDC) is the largest and most prestigious secondary school debating competition in Western Australia. Divisions including Novice (Years 7-8), Junior (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-12). Teams from across WA compete for the title of State Champion. Last year we had great success with one of our Year 8 teams (pictured below) reaching the finals. Students from Years 7 to 12 may nominate individually or as a team. Each team must have at least four members. Nominations close next Friday 10 February (Week 2) – and can be made by email.
Mock Trials
The Law Society coordinates an interschool Mock Trial Competition for students in Years 11 and 12. A mock trial is a simulated court case in which teams contest a fictitious legal matter in the WA court system. The cases are presented by two teams – a prosecution/plaintiff team and a defence/defendant team – made up of students playing the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses, and court officials. The Mock Trial Competition provides students with an opportunity to learn valuable skills in research and in the development and presentation of a persuasive argument. An information session will be held on Wednesday 15 February at lunchtime in A9. Expressions of Interest are to be made by email. Nominations close Friday 17 February.
Da Vinci Decathlon
The Da Vinci Decathlon is designed to celebrate the academic gifts of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging academic competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Our teams last year (pictured below) did exceptionally well, taking first place in Legacy and third for Creative Producers. We look forward to continuing our success in 2023. Please note competition dates: Years 7-8 Tuesday 9 May and Years 9-10 Wednesday 10 May. Nominations close Friday 24 February.
Senior Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad provides students with a unique opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. It is designed to get students thinking, talking, and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time. Its objective is to do more than just help students think through ethical issues: It is to teach students how to think through ethical issues together, as fellow citizens in a complex moral and political community. Last year’s Senior Ethics Team (pictured below) did exceptionally well. They were awarded the silver medal in the Australasian Ethics Olympiad and the bronze medal in the International Ethics Olympiad Final. The Senior Ethics Olympiad is open to students in Years 10-12 – with nominations closing Friday 3 March. Please note: There will be a Middle School Ethics Olympiad held later in the year – which is open for students in Years 7-9.
Best wishes to all Magis students and staff for a year of success, happiness, and service to our wonderful College. You can keep up to date with Magis and Altiora events by following the Term 1 calendar – which can be accessed by clicking on the link below.
Daisy Farley
Magis Coordinator – Gifted and Talented