Magis report 

Round 1 of 2023 WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) began on Tuesday night at Shenton College. The atmosphere was electric! This being the first time that our debaters have competed in person since the pandemic, with the last two years being run over the Zoom platform. There was a great energy and a wonderful sense of comradery amongst the students from all schools. Our teams debated contemporary topics such as:

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16;
• What’s to be done about the rise in slacktivism; and
• Should vacant properties be taxed significantly.

For some of our debating students, it was their first time competing. Year 7 student, James Sommerfield said: 

'I found debating a fun experience. I made new friends, got to argue an interesting topic, and prepare and deliver a speech - which is something that I really enjoy. Winning our debate was a bonus!'

All teams performed admirably, and we congratulate our students on having won four debates – narrowly losing by a few points in our fifth debate. What a terrific start to the 2023 season! Special thanks to Ms Pickering for her assistance on the night.

Our debating students are now busy preparing for Round 2 – which is to be sponsored by the Australian Red Cross, Humanitarian Law Division. A reminder to students to view the SDC app and Teams for all up-to-date information including fixtures, resources and meeting notices. All debates will continue with set topics for the next round – with our Junior and Senior teams progressing to impromptu in Round 3.

Our first Homeroom Academic Challenge for the year took place this week. Was great to see students getting into House spirit! Student representatives from Years 7 to 12 took part in a quiz testing their spelling skills. There will be several challenges held throughout the year including STEM, Humanities, Languages, Literature, Art, Music and Theology. Congratulations to our Year group winners: 

• Year 7: Rose McLoughlin (Ward)
• Year 8: Jonah Liew (Loyola) – with a perfect score!
• Year 9: Joseph Scott (Campion)
• Year 10: Thomas Kirwan (St Louis)
• Year 11: Gemma Bailey (Loyola)
• Year 12: Hannah Rafiq (St Louis)

Congratulations to Koolyangarra House – the overall champions for the 2023 Spelling Challenge. Pictured is Ms Brindley’s Homeroom, Year 7 Koolyangarra, celebrating their win – as the top performing Year 7 Homeroom.

MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!

College Chess Tournament

Entries are now open for our annual College Chess Tournament. If you think you have what it takes to be our next College ‘Grandmaster’, or you simply want to have fun, then email your name, Year and House to the Magis Coordinator. All participants will win their House valuable points – with trophies to be awarded to our finalists. Will reigning Chess Champions, James Mitchell and Robbie Douglass (both in Year 12), be able to hold onto their title? Entries close Thursday 6 April, with the Tournament to take place at beginning of Term 2.

Intergenerational Project

Do you like watching the TV show ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ on the ABC? Well, Expressions of Interest are now open for students who wish to take part in an intergenerational project – where students will interview Mercy Care residents and record their stories in a Memories Book. For more information, please contact the Magis Coordinator. Expressions of Interest are due Thursday 6 April.

Ethics Olympiad Case Writing Awards

Ethics Olympiad are holding a case writing competition with prize money to be won. Submissions should follow the general format for Ethics Olympiad cases: a scenario, between 400 and 800 words long, which highlights a clear moral issue and is appropriate for middle or high school students. Please see Magis Coordinator for case criteria. Entries are due 29 April. 

Creative Edge Short Film Competition

Lights, camera, action! Here’s a competition for budding film directors. Students can create a short 3-minute film about anything! Judges are looking for films which embody the creative edge spirit: imaginative, innovative and unique. Teams of 2 to 6 students may be entered. For more information, or if you are interested in registering a team, please email the Magis Coordinator before Friday 24 March. Film submissions will be due 30 June.

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