Magis Report
UN Youth State Conference
Last weekend, a small delegation of students represented our College at the 2026 UN Youth State Conference. This event gathered some of the State’s most exceptional students to learn about a diverse array of international and local issues. Held annually, the conference was run as a residential camp over three days. The State Conference allows students to engage in meaningful discussions on topics that are often only briefly touched on in the school curriculum. It also allows them to learn from experts and academia, and to develop their own opinions through peer learning.
This year’s theme was ‘The Age of Energy’. Our students learnt about Global Security and took part in some amazing activities such as model UN debates, content-focused workshops, crisis simulations, and a General Assembly.
Oliver French (Year 9):
'I think what I enjoyed most was working alongside other like-minded (politically engaged) students and being able to learn more about the issues affecting young people today.'
Isaac McCready (Year 10):
'The Conference provided me with greater insight into the inner workings of our most important multilateral institutions….I found myself throughout the conference conversing with other students about some of the most prominent issues facing our generation. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience.'
Senior Ethics Olympiad
Earlier this week, our Senior Ethics Teams competed in the Australasian division of Ethics Olympiad. This is a competitive yet collaborative event in which students analyse and discuss complex issues facing the world today. Our teams competed against schools from Australia and Singapore– and we are excited to announce that our Year 12 team were awarded the bronze medal for their performance, whilst our Year 10 team received honourable mention. This was a very special moment for our Year 12s, who have competed together for a number of years.
Catherine Gazia (Magis Captain, Year 12):
'On Monday I competed with my team in my final Ethics Olympiad, a competition I have competed in many times while in high school. It was a bittersweet conclusion to the years we’ve spent learning and growing together. This competition has pushed us to think critically about ethical questions and to engage in thoughtful, respectful dialogue. Looking back, I’m grateful not only for the skills we’ve developed, but for the way this experience has shaped how we listen, reason, and collaborate as a team. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete in competitions such as this, as they have provided me with essential skills in communication, analysis, and critical thinking that will remain useful long after I graduate.'
Congratulations to our Senior Ethics Teams:
| Year 12 | Year 10 |
|---|---|
Chloe Bell Felicity Finch Catherine Gazia Noa Mintz Charlie Pronk | Henry McGlue Charlie O’Toole James Sommerfield |
WA Debating League
Round 3 of the WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) was held on Tuesday evening at Shenton College. This round’s theme was education. As it was an impromptu round, students received their debate topic on the night and had one hour to prepare without assistance. We congratulate our teams on another impressive evening of debates – with many wins across the board. Special thanks to Mr Webber for his assistance on the night.
Debating Make-Up Round Update
Please note: WADL SDC Make-Up Round 1 (MUR) will be held on Tuesday, 12 May (Week 13) at 5pm at Shenton College. This round concerns Novice JTC2 Team only. This is their postponed Round 1 debate against Shenton 4. Communication was sent to the respective families last week.
da Vinci Decathlon Update
A reminder that the 2026 da Vinci Decathlon will be held on Monday, 11 May (for our Years 9 and 10 teams) and Tuesday, 12 May (for our Years 7 and 8 teams). Students are required to arrive between 7:50am and 8am at our meeting location - outside UWA’s Recreation & Fitness Centre. This will be our College’s drop-off/pick-up zone for parents.
The competition will be held at Winthrop Hall and students have received a hard copy of their competition program (see below). In our meetings this week, students received a detailed outline of what to bring, where to go, what to wear, etc. A notice has also been posted to the students’ Magis Teams Channel. Please note: As the College will be moving to winter uniforms as of Monday, students have been asked to ensure that they are also wearing the winter uniform (including blazer).
We wish all our da Vinci, Mock Trials and debating teams the best of luck with their respective competitions next week. You can keep up to date with our competition and event schedule by viewing the Magis calendar, available at the link below.
Daisy Farley
Head of Magis – Gifted and Talented
Magis: Opportunities to do more!
Future Female Leaders
The Future Female Leaders (FFL) Purposeful Leaders digital program was created to meet the demand for leadership skills development that is accessible, purposeful and addresses the core World Economic Forum skills. The program outline is attached below. Any girls interested in signing up for these free places, funded by FFL’s generous investors, should email the Head of Magis by Wednesday, 20 May (Term 2, Week 15). I would recommend the program for Years 10 and 11 girls.
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 magis@johnxxiii.edu.au. All participants will earn valuable points for their House, with trophies awarded to our finalists. Entries close Monday, 11 May (Term 2, Week 13).
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).
College Public Speaking Competition
Entries are now open for our annual College Public Speaking Competition. This is a prestigious event on our College Calendar, with the grand final attended by students, parents, staff, and alumni. Students can speak up to 3 minutes on a topic of their choice. Heats will be held in Weeks 16-18, with the top 3 students from each year group progressing to the Grand Final, which will be held on Wednesday, 29 July (Term 3, Week 2). Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top and runner-up public speakers in each year group. These prizes will be awarded at our Magis Awards Breakfast in Term 4. Entries are due Friday, 22 May (Week 14).
Political Perspectives Competition
Attention, budding artists, cartoonists, and political satirists. The Political & Legal Educators Association of Western Australia (PLEAWA) invites students in Years 7 to 10 to participate in the Political Perspectives Competition. Students are tasked with producing a creative piece that sheds light on a current issue relating to topics covered in Years 7 to 10 Civics & Citizenship. This creative piece can take the form of a poster, political cartoon, video, or other creative medium. Please visit the PLEAWA website for more information. Cash prizes to be won! Submission deadline Monday 1 June (Term 2, Week 16).
Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds (TOM) is an international problem-solving program for teams of students. TOM’s aim is to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the discipline to work collaboratively within a challenging and competitive environment. Teams will be required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Languages & Literature, or Society & Environment (HASS) disciplines. Regional and State Finals to be held at Edith Cowan University in September, with the International Final to be held in Darwin in November. For more information, please visit the competition website or speak with the Head of Magis. Expressions of interest are due Monday, 1 June (Term 2, Week 16).
