Magis report

Warmest thanks to all who attended the Magis Mass this week, and special thanks to the Magis leaders who acted as readers or assisted in the choir, and to Mrs Mary-Anne Lumley for her wonderful organisation.  The Magis Mass came at an ideal time as we farewell our Year 12 cohort who have made such an outstanding contribution to the College, particularly via the leadership of Ben Linsten and Alex Panther,  but also via their wonderful involvement this year in the new house Academic Championship in which no fewer than  47 Year 12’s competed – setting a truly remarkable example of house spirit and participation. In this COVID year there have been few opportunities for interschool competitions, but we fielded two Year 12 teams in British Parliamentary Debating, and the Magis leaders made a magnificent contribution to the Magis Camp.

This week for the first time John XXIII Teams are preparing for two prestigious major competitions, the ethics Olympiad next month and the International Debating Competition which begins this coming Friday straight after school.  Our Year 8 team will compete via Zoom with teams from Asia and Australia in what should be a really exciting event.

In week three the Magis Awards Breakfast will take place with prizes, awards and certificates being distributed for House competitions, John XXIII events and Interschool competitions. These three areas along with academic performances in semester one, are used to determine the major awards, the Magis Champion Scholar from each year. Special awards will also be presented to several students and teachers for outstanding service to the program.

Best wishes to everyone for a very happy and successful final term for 2020.

Jim Miller

Magis Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator