Magis Report
It was wonderful for our Magis students in Years 7 to 12 to come together as a cohort for their first Magis Assembly for 2025. Our Magis Captain, Jennifer Ong, gave an inspiring welcome address which set the tone for the assembly. A lot of important information was discussed, chiefly the launch of our 2025 Gifted and Talented competitions and events program. Students heard from Jennifer about the importance of balancing co-curricular activities with academic studies, and they were reminded about reading their weekly student newsletter, the Magis Memo, checking out the Magis Noticeboard, and having Teams notifications turned on. We offer so many wonderful opportunities for our GATE students to do more, to expand their learning beyond the classroom, so it’s important that they don’t miss out on what is offered throughout the year. A copy of the Magis Assembly presentation can be found on Magis Teams.
A reminder on 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 in the College Newsletter (see below ‘Opportunities to do more!’) - and we encourage students to view the competition websites, seek information from students who have previously taken part, and have conversations with their families.
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.
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. 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*). You can 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).
UN Youth State Conference
UN Youth’s State and Territory Conferences are overnight events bringing together a group of students from across a region to explore a complex and interesting topic in the fields of 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 a model UN debates. The conference is a perfect opportunity for those passionate about global affairs and looking to challenge their understandings beyond the classroom setting. The 2025 State and Territory Conferences will explore content relating to Politics and the Economy and how wealth inequality and economic growth affects international politics. Students will gain valuable insight from immersive educational experiences into how trade relationships, political allegiances and global economies influence international decision-making, and will develop the skills to form and defend their own stances on economic issues, an increasingly important skill in international politics today. Email the Head of Magis your expression of interest, detailing why you would like to represent the College at this year's State Conference. We will be selecting a small delegation to attend. Expressions of Interest close Tuesday, 4 March (Week 5). Please note: The Conference will be held on 4 to 6 April at Seaside Camp for Children, Rockingham.
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 – Gifted and Talented