Magis Report 

Update: College Chess Tournament

We began with 90 chess players, and we are now down to the top 7! The Preliminary and Quarter Finals of our College Chess Tournament were played this week. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Primary and Secondary school students who made it to the finals – what an outstanding achievement. Our youngest finalists were in Year 5 and our eldest, in Year 12.

The Semi-Final will be played in Week 19, with the Grand Final set to take place in Week 20 (what a way to finish the term!) Congratulations to our 2026 Chess semi-finalists:

• Henry Myers (Year 7)
• Axl White (Year 7)
• Jamie Haydon (Year 9)
• Christopher Tan (Year 10)
• James Sommerfield (Year 10)
• Christie Ho (Year 11)
• Joshua Standen (Year 11)

WA Debating League 

Round 5, the final of the preliminary rounds of the WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC), was held on Tuesday evening at Shenton College. Many thanks to Ms Lumley and Mr Kerslake for their supervision. We have two debate teams that will attend this Tuesday’s make-up round, having had earlier debates postponed. Please see below for the MUR.2 fixtures and venue information. Once the make-up round is completed, students will be informed as to which teams will progress to the finals, which will be held in Term 3. 

You can keep up to date with our schedule of competitions and events by viewing the Magis calendar, which can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Daisy Farley

Head of Magis – Gifted and Talented

Magis: Opportunities to do more!

Note: All expressions of interest should be sent to the Magis Assistant: magis@johnxxiii.edu.au

Middle School Ethics Olympiad

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 tough 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. This international competition is open to students in Years 7 to 9. Team positions are highly coveted, with only 10 spots available. Expressions of interest are due Monday, 22 June (Week 19). A training clinic will be held in Term 3, with the competition scheduled for Term 4.

STEM School of Excellence 

BRAINways EDUCATION programs provide opportunities for highly able and gifted students and are tailored to their special educational needs. Incorporating information and learning from a wide range of international curricula, the BRAINways EDUCATION programs offer advanced, content- and process-driven learning experiences that are challenging yet interesting and hands-on. Their next program of workshops will be held at UWA in the upcoming school holidays (Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 July). Below is the list of programs for students in Year 7:

• Day 1
  • The Mathematics of Snowflakes
  • The Chemistry of Unboiling an Egg
• Day 2
  • Gravity vs Pressure: The Battle That Formed the Universe

  • Checks and Balances: Your Body Adapting to Change

     

For more information, please see the attached flyer. Students interested must discuss the program and check availability with their parents before submitting an expression of interest by Monday, 22 June (Week 19). Please note: Students require a Nomination Letter to be signed by the Head of Magis, before parents can book their place in the program.

National Senior Stretch Conference

We are currently selecting 12 Years 10 to 11 students to participate in the 2026 National Senior Stretch Conference. At this event, senior students will grapple with challenging questions about knowledge, rules, freedom, technology and human experience – exploring issues of truth, responsibility, and what it means to live well. More than just abstract theory, this is philosophy in action: learning to follow the logic, question assumptions, and test ideas that touch every part of human life. This study day is not about memorising information. We work at the conceptual level to explore intellectual foundations and equip students with a deeper understanding. It’s about taking an interdisciplinary approach to the fundamental ideas that underpin our understanding of the world, ourselves, and others. We bring you the kind of intellectual stimulation previously reserved for the students of Oxford and Cambridge. Expressions of interest are due Monday 29 June (Week 20), with the conference scheduled for Wednesday 12 August (Term 3, Week 4).

The Global Voices Fellowship

Attention Year 12 students: Applications are open for the Global Voices Fellowship. This life-changing program aims to upskill and develop the next generation of Australian leaders to contribute to domestic and global decision-making. This is a fully funded scholarship, with all domestic and international flights, accommodations, breakfasts, visas, insurance, and registration fees covered. For more information, please click here or speak with the Head of Magis.