Magis Report
John XXIII College
Tournament of Minds
Congratulations to our Languages and Literature Team who competed in the Regional Finals of Tournament of Minds (TOMs) at Edith Cowan University last Saturday. TOMs is a program for primary and secondary students providing the opportunity to solve authentic, open-ended challenges that foster creative, divergent thinking whilst developing collaborative enterprise, excellence, and teamwork. Our students presented both a long-term challenge solution and a spontaneous challenge. The judges commended our teams on their engaging performance and awarded them the Certificate of Merit for their problem-solving and outstanding creativity.
Our Languages and Literature Team:
- Gabriel Fitzpatrick (Year 7)
- Henry Siegert
- Abbey Cheong (Year 8)
- Rosie O’Toole
- Henry Larkin (Year 9)
- Mia McCombe
- Connor Siegert
There is a lot of preparation involved in the lead-up to the competition, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students who, despite their busy schedules, enthusiastically attended meetings and rehearsals. I would also like to thank Mr Massey, who assisted with supervision at the competition and for their tutelage in solving spontaneous challenge problems.
Save the date!
Our Magis Community Mass is scheduled for 8am on Friday 25 September, in the College Chapel. Not only will this be a terrific way to finish a very busy term for students, but it will also provide us with a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community in celebration and support of the Magis Program. Some students have nominated to take an active role in the mass, and we thank them in advance. We look forward to seeing our Magis students and their families on the last day of term!
You can keep up to date with our schedule of competitions and events by viewing the Magis calendar 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
Magis Camp
A highlight of the Magis calendar is our annual camp to Point Walter, for Years 7 to 9 Magis students, which will be held on Friday 23 October to Saturday 24 October (Term 4, Week 12). We have some terrific activities planned which will prove an enriching experience for students, including workshops at the WA Museum. There will be a number of opportunities for our younger year students to work alongside and learn from our senior school students. The cost of the camp is $200, which covers all activities, transport, food and accommodation. Those interested need to complete the Magis Camp Expression of Interest e-form and submit by Monday 14 September (Term 3, Week 9).
Curtin Rising Scholar Program
Attention current Years 9 to 11 students: Curtin University is pleased to invite schools to nominate gifted and talented Years 10 to 12 students for the Rising Scholar Program (RSP) in Semester 1, 2027. This program offers high-achieving students the chance to get a head start on their university journey by completing Curtin University units while completing their high school studies.
Program Overview:
- High-ability Years 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to enrol in one Curtin University unit per semester (up to four units in total)
- Participants can choose to study either on campus or online (course dependent)
- An A-grade average is required for all students and all units. This is assessed against their MESH subject results (Maths, English, Science and HASS).
- The Health Science Faculty requires all Health Science students to be 16 years or older as of 15 February 2027. We apologise for any inconvenience—unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.
- All places are fully sponsored with no fees payable. Though it should be noted, due to the program’s competitive nature, we strongly advise early applications.
For further information about this outstanding learning opportunity, including unit offerings, application guide, information PowerPoint, etc., please see Magis Teams, and/or speak with the Head of Magis and/or the Head of Pathways and Transition.
Quest Tutorials Program for Gifted and Talented Students
BRAINways Education, in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is pleased to offer the BRAINways Quest Tutorials program for Gifted and Talented students of Perth. Incorporating information and lessons from a wide range of international curricula, the Quest Tutorial Program offers advanced learning experiences in both content and process, delivering challenging yet interesting, hands-on learning. Their next program of workshops will be held at UWA in the upcoming school holidays (Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October). Below is the list of programs for students in Year 7:
The Mathematics Games program will provide an opportunity to explore the depth of advanced mathematical concepts, as well as to develop skills such as multi-step problem solving, spatial reasoning and pattern recognition by integrating deeper mathematical thinking into gameplay
The Science of Pain program will explore the basic physiology of how humans experience pain, and the mechanics of the medicines we’ve invented to block or circumvent that discomfort. It will investigate the biological and psychological factors that influence our experience of pain and how our nervous system reacts to harmful stimuli
What is Art? The Philosophy of Beauty program will explore the impact of visual art and its meaning across time and culture, as well as identify philosophical concepts of beauty. The students will be given an opportunity to create original art incorporating ideas that emerged during this exploration.
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, 7 September (Week 8). Please note: Students require a Nomination Letter to be signed by the Head of Magis, before parents can book their place in the program.
Nature in Focus Photography Competition
Celebrate Australian biodiversity with the Nature in Focus Photography Competition. Last year’s entries came from across Australia, showcasing the extraordinary nature, wildlife, and conservation efforts around our vast country. This competition is open to students in K-12, to show off their amazing photography skills. Categories for high school students include Oceans, Wetlands & Rivers; Sustainability; and Species and Habitats. Visit Conservation Volunteers Australia. Nature In Focus Photo Competition (2026) to learn more (including judging criteria). Competition closes at 5:00pm AEST, 7 September 2026. Great prizes to be won!
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.
