Magis Report
It has been a busy week setting up our teams for our Semester 1 competitions. We are pleased to announce that we have nine debating teams, across the Novice and Junior Divisions, who will compete in the 2025 WA Debating League Schools Debating Competition - with introductory letters having been sent to families.
We also congratulate those students who have been selected for the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon. We received a significant number of applications this year, and students were notified during the week of the final teams list. The da Vinci Decathlon will be held at UWA on Monday, 12 May (for Years 9 & 10 students) and Tuesday, 13 May (for Years 7 & 8 students). Communication has been sent to families.
What’s happening next week?
Next week, we will begin our academic mentoring sessions. The aim of this program is to promote positive peer cooperation by providing a forum for our GATE students to swap tips and share advice, as it pertains to their academic studies and co-curricular. These sessions will be led by the Magis Captain, Jennifer Ong, and will be held each term. Magis students are reminded to view the Magis Memo (student newsletter) for notice of when and where their year group is meeting.
With many competitions now underway, the week will be full of team meetings. We will be holding a Debate Development Seminar after school on Friday, 7 March, with the support of a former WADL CEO and debate adjudicator. WADL has also proposed its own Debate Development Day on Saturday 8 March, but at this stage, no details have been released. Debating students can view event information through the Magis Teams WADL channel. Debating Development Seminars are terrific opportunities for our students to upskill prior to the start of the 2025 debating season.
Magis Competitions and Events Calendar
A calendar of our Magis competitions and events can be found below. This calendar will be updated each week, as and when details are released by event organisers.
Magis: Opportunities to do more!
Astronomy Club
Calling all stargazers and astronomy lovers! Join our College’s Astronomy Club, where you’ll learn more about the night sky and the history behind constellations, gain confidence with telescopes, and discover tips to make stargazing more enjoyable. It is a great social club where you’ll meet like-minded people of all ages, who share a passion for learning and stargazing. The Astronomy Club meets on the College Oval on various evenings throughout the year – and has a few events booked with the Perth Observatory. For more information, please email the Club Coordinator, Mr Peter Mazur (Mathematics Learning Area), or the Head of Magis. Our next Astronomy Evening is set for Friday, 28 February (weather permitting).
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