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 and 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 and 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. This year, we have over 15 interschool competitions scheduled for our Gifted and Talented (GATE) students, as well as several clubs, academic seminars, conventions, and special events, including our annual Bell Shakespeare Incursion, TEDx Youth, UN Young Leaders Summit and Magis Camp. Whilst most competitions and events are yet to release dates and details, we will be providing a draft Magis calendar for families following the Years 7 to 12 Parent Information Night.
We also have a number of interhouse College-based competitions, which are open to all students throughout Primary and Secondary school, including our annual College Chess Tournament, Creative Writing and Public Speaking Competitions. Secondary 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
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 parent’s reference.
With so much happening, it is important that students read these notices carefully. An integral component of the Magis program is student’s taking ownership for their academic journey, this includes organising themselves each week and balancing their co-curricular with their academic studies. The Magis program also publishes a report for families each week in our College Newsletter. Naturally, we communicate through email to families with regards to 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 to the Head of Magis. We advertise these competitions and events through Magis Teams, the Magis Noticeboard and the College Newsletter (see below ‘Opportunities to do more!’) - and we encourage students to have conversations with their families. On Tuesday, 11 February, we have our first Magis Assembly for the year during Homeroom, and one of the items which will be discussed is the process of signing up as well as the expectations and commitment which is involved.
We look forward to sharing details from this Assembly in next week’s edition of the College Newsletter.
Best wishes to all Magis students and staff for a year of success, happiness, and service to our wonderful College.
Daisy Farley
Head of Magis
Magis: Opportunities to do more!
The Magis Program continues to offer students the chance to compete in the top state gifted student competitions and national and global events. Expressions of Interest are now open for the following competitions. Magis Teams explains to students how they can apply. For further information, students can visit the Magis Office or email the Head of Magis.
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 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. We look forward to continuing our success in this competition. Last year, a number of teams won their divisions, with one of our Novice Teams being named Runner-Up State Debating Champions. There are five rounds of debates that are held every 2 to 3 weeks between March and June. Whilst the draw is yet to be released, debates have, in the past, been held 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 view the flyer below or visit the WADL website. Nominations close next Friday, 14 February (Week 2).
Mock Trials
The WA Law Society coordinates an interschool 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 – 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 for students on Monday, 10 February at lunchtime in A9. For further information, please see the flyer below. Nominations close Monday, 17 February (Week 3).
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. This competition is open to students in Years 7 to 10. Our teams last year did exceptionally well, winning several prizes. We look forward to continuing our success in 2025. Please see the attached flyer or the competition’s website for further details, including competition dates. This is a one-day competition held at UWA. Nominations close Monday, 24 February (Week 4).
Senior Ethics Olympiad
With our multiple award-winning Ethics Team graduating last year (pictured below), we are looking at forming two new Senior Ethics Teams for 2025. 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 challenging 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. 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, 24 February (Week 4). Please note: There will be a Middle School Ethics Olympiad held later in the year, which is open for students in Years 7 to 9.
World Scholars 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 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 30 - 31), with the top performing teams qualifying for a Global Round (for example: Kuala Lumper 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 9 – 22*). An information session will be held for students on Wednesday 12 February at lunchtime in the GBLT. You can also check out the WSC website for information (including videos) concerning the different events teams compete in, as well as a copy of the 2025 curriculum which students will need to learn, on top of their schoolwork and other co-curricular/family commitments. Expressions of interest are to be emailed to the Head of Magis by Monday 24 February (Week 4).
Ethics Olympiad Case Writing Awards
Please note: This competition is suited to students who have completed or are familiar with an Ethics Olympiad. Students in Years 7 to12 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 25 April (Term 1 school holidays).
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! Entries close Friday, 16 May (Week 13).
Daisy Farley
Head of Magis