Magis Report 

Our Gifted and Talented program at John XXIII College is aptly named Magis – meaning ‘more’ or ‘to a greater extent’ - and it serves as far more than just a name. It captures the spirit of Ignatian pedagogy – emphasising the development of the whole person – intellectually, spiritually, and socially. This approach encourages students to become ‘men and women for others’, using their God-given talents not merely for personal advancement, but for the service of humanity. The concept of our Magis program sits at the heart of this philosophy, calling students to excellence not as an end in itself, but as a means to greater service and deeper understanding.

One of the pictures below shows some of our Year 7s from last year looking rather pensive in front of Socrates bust at UWA. The reason behind this photo is that we study philosophy as part of the elective course, and Socrates very much speaks to ‘the more’ when he advocates genuine intellectual growth is continual and a life-long journey. Our Magis students certainly understand this – that learning is not a passive absorption of facts, but an active engagement with knowledge. 

Our Magis program can be divided into two parts:

• Our Magis Elective Course is offered in 2026 to our Years 7 and 9 students and has timetabled classes, like all elective courses
• Our main Magis Program is run as co-curricular from Years 7 through to Year 12.

Magis in 2026

We look forward to the continual growth of our GATE program and to new ventures. The majority of academic competitions at John XXIII College are run through the Magis Program, with a small number of competitions run through some Learning Areas. Besides interschool competitions, our GATE students are provided the opportunity to engage in clubs, academic seminars, conventions, and special events throughout the year, including our annual Bell Shakespeare Incursion, TEDx Youth, UN Youth Conferences and our Magis Camp. Whilst some competitions and events are yet to confirm dates/details, you can find a draft 2026 Magis calendar below, for your reference.

We also have a number of interhouse College based competitions which are open to all students throughout the Primary and Secondary School including our annual College Chess Tournament and Public Speaking Competition. Secondary students will also have the opportunity to test their knowledge, and win valuable House points, in the various Magis Academic Challenges that are held throughout the year, during Homeroom. These challenges will cover topics such as: Spelling, STEM, Music, Humanities, Art, Languages, Literature and Theology. 

Leadership

Our Magis Captain for 2026 is Catherine Gazia (Year 12). Students would recognise Catherine from the many co-curricular competitions she has taken part in (and provided mentorship) over the years, including competing at the Tournament of Champions at Yale University a few years ago. Catherine is an outstanding scholar and role model, and we look forward to what she will bring to the role this year.

Communication

Communication to Magis students is mainly via the weekly Magis Memo, Magis Teams, and the Magis Noticeboard (located outside the Magis Office). The Magis Memo is a student newsletter which is sent to GATE students every Monday. It lists the meetings (and competitions if applicable) that are scheduled for the week. It also affords an opportunity for the Magis Captain to communicate with the student cohort. I have provided a copy of a Magis Memo from last year, for parents’ reference.

With so much happening it is important that students read these notices carefully. An integral component of the Magis program is students taking ownership of their academic journey, which includes organising themselves each week and balancing their co-curricular activities with their academic studies. The Magis program also publishes a report for families each week, in our College Newsletter. Naturally, we communicate with families via email regarding specific competitions or events as and when their child signs up.

How to sign up?

All competitions and events require students to email their expression of interest. Importantly, a change from previous years, these emails are to be addressed to 'Magis Assistance' and are to be emailed to the account magis@johnxxiii.edu.au

We advertise all competitions and events through Magis Teams, the Magis Noticeboard and in the College Newsletter (see below ‘Opportunities to do more!’). A selection is also advertised to the wider College Community through SEQTA Notices. We strongly encourage all students to do their due diligence by visiting competition websites and speaking with their families. At our first Magis Assembly for the year (Wednesday, 11 February, Homeroom), we will discuss the process of signing up, as well as the expectations and commitment that are involved. 

Best wishes to all Magis students and staff for a successful 2026. 

Daisy Farley

Head of Magis – Gifted and Talented

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 a number competitions. Please note: Deadlines will be strictly adhered to. Magis Teams explains to students how they can apply. For further information, students can also visit the Magis Office or email the Head of Magis directly. 

WA Debating League

The WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) is the largest and most prestigious secondary school debating competition in Western Australia. Divisions include Novice (Years 7-8), Junior (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-12). Teams from across WA compete for the title of State Champion. There are five rounds of debates held every 2-3 weeks between March and June. Whilst the draw has yet to be released, debates have been held in the past on a Tuesday evening at a nearby school. Students from Years 7 to 12 may nominate individually or as a team. Each team must have at least four members. For more information, please visit the WADL website. Nominations close Monday, 16 February (Week 3).

Mock Trials

The WA Law Society coordinates an inter-school Mock Trial Competition for students in Years 10 to 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 – comprising students who play the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses, and court officials. The Mock Trial Competition offers students the opportunity to acquire valuable skills in research, as well as in developing and presenting persuasive arguments. An information session will be held for students on Monday, 10 February at lunchtime in A9. For further information, please see the flyer below. Nominations close Monday 16 February 2026 (Week 3).

World Scholar's Cup

Expressions of interest are now open for the annual World Scholar’s Cup. This is a BIG commitment, both academically and financially, so we have asked students to take the time to carefully consider whether this competition is best for them. The World Scholar's Cup is a global academic competition that challenges students to explore diverse topics and skills. More than 50,000 students from over 65 countries participate every year. Students compete in teams of three at a Regional Round (May 22-23), with the top-performing teams qualifying for a Global Round (for example, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok Global Round, August/September). The top performing teams at Globals will then qualify for the Tournament of Champions, which is held at Yale University in the US (November). This year’s theme is: Are We There Yet? Students are encouraged to visit the WSC website for information (including videos) on the different events teams compete in, as well as a copy of the 2026 curriculum, which students will need to learn alongside their schoolwork and other co-curricular/family commitments. Nominations close Monday, 16 February (Week 3).

WA Youth Parliament

Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, the WA Youth Parliament program is a unique opportunity for young people to have their voices heard by policymakers and to create the change they want to see. Participants act as 'youth members', representing a state electorate in parliament. The bills debated in the program are based on the interests and concerns of our state’s youth. They are then presented to the Governor, Premier, and Leader of the Opposition in WA for reflection and consideration. Youth Parliament also provides an outstanding opportunity for personal development, whether through leadership skills, public speaking, or lifelong friendships forged throughout the transformative experience. The 2026 application pack is available below. Young people aged 15 to 25, living in WA, can apply. The time commitment to the program includes three training days, weekly online meetings, and a residential camp from 6-11 July. Applications close 19 February (Week 3). We ask that students interested in the WA Youth Parliament speak with the Head of Magis before submitting their online application. For further information please visit the WA Youth Parliament website.

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. This year’s state final theme is 'Machines and Mechanics.' Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. This competition is open to students in Years 7-10. Our teams last year did exceptionally well, winning several prizes. We look forward to continuing our success in 2026. Please see the da Vinci Decathlon website, for further details, including competition dates. This is a one-day competition held at UWA. Nominations close Monday, 23 February (Week 4).

Senior Ethics Olympiad

Ethics Olympiad provides students with a unique opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. This competition 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 teaches students how to think through ethical issues together, as fellow citizens in a complex moral and political community. The Senior Ethics Olympiad is open to students in Years 10 to 12. Further information can be found on the competition’s website. Nominations close Monday, 23 February (Week 4). Please note: A Middle School Ethics Olympiad will be held later in the year and is open to students in Years 7 to 9.

UN Youth State Conference

UN Youth’s State and Territory Conferences are overnight events that bring together students from across a region to explore a complex and interesting topic in international affairs, law, and global politics. Conferences combine a range of workshops, speaker panels, case study explorations, and signature UN Youth activities, including Interactive Problem Solving and model UN debates. The 2026 Conference theme is The Age of New Energy. The global energy transition is one of the biggest collective projects humanity has ever undertaken, demanding cooperation among governments, industry, and communities alike. Students will dive into how technology, politics, and public opinion collide to shape the future of energy. The State and Territory conferences will allow students to gain valuable insight from immersive educational experiences and develop skills to form and defend their own stances on issues, an increasingly important skill in international politics today. Expressions of interest must detail why you would like to represent the College at this year's State Conference. We will be selecting a small delegation to attend. Nominations close Monday, 23 March (Week 8). Please note: The WA State Conference will be held Friday, 1 May – Sunday, 3 May (Term 2, Week 11) at Seaside Camp for Children, Rockingham.

Book Launch

Students, parents, staff and friends are warmly invited to attend an upcoming book launch being hosted at John XXIII College: Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide, authored by Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO. This special event will be officiated by The Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, together with Fr Frank Brennan. The evening will be an opportunity to hear directly from Fr Brennan as he explores Pope Francis’ impact as a 'disruptive pilgrim' and offers a rich reflection on the transformative, and often disruptive, papacy of Pope Francis.

Details:

• Date: Tuesday 24 February (Week 4)
• Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
• Venue: Thomas More Exhibition Centre (TMEC), John XXIII College
• Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/1514428 

Specialty Talk

Fr Frank Brennan will be our Academic in Residence later this term. Fr Brennan will be here to launch his new book (see Book Launch details above), and he will also be conducting a series of lectures. Of interest to some students will be our Politics & Law Specialty Talk held in the Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre (GBLT) on Thursday, 26 February (3:30pm - 5:00pm). This talk will be tailored to Politics & Law ATAR students, and we extend the invitation to Magis students as well. The following topics will be discussed:

• The Hollingworth Affair: Was the Governor-General held to account?
• Pell: A miscarriage of justice
• Should Australia have a bill of rights?

• Indigenous rights in post-Voice referendum Australia

   

Please email the Head of Magis should you wish to attend. RSVP by Monday, 23 February (Week 4).

Ethics Olympiad Case Writing Awards

Please note: This competition is suited to students who have completed/are familiar with an Ethics Olympiad. Students in Years 7-12 are invited to submit a case which, if chosen, would be used internationally for both the Middle School and Senior Ethics Olympiads. Information can be found on the attached flyer and/or on the competition's website. Prize money and prestige to be won! Cases are to be submitted directly to Ethics Olympiad by 24 April (Term 2, Week 10).

What Matters? Writing Competition

Inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia’s future, the What Matters? Writing competition is currently open to school students in Years 5 to 12 from Australia. Responding to the simple question ‘what matters?’, entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about. Part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity, What Matters? is the perfect opportunity to empower students to raise their voices on issues that are important to them and know that their perspectives are valuable, no matter their age, background or viewpoint. Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of up to 600 words, and submitted online. Please visit the website Whitlam Institute What Matters for more information, including samples of past winners. Major cash prizes to be won! Submission deadline is Friday, 15 May (Term 2, Week 13).