Magis report 

Over the long weekend, several of our debating students attended the WA Debating League’s Training Day. Students heard from the WADL adjudicators as to what makes a good debate, and they received valuable techniques and strategies that they can utilise over the course of the SDC season. We also held our own College based debating development seminar on Tuesday. Two fantastic opportunities for our students to advance their critical thinking and debating skills in preparation for Round 1. 

On Wednesday and Thursday our top Years 7 to 10 scholars competed in the 2024 da Vinci Decathlon held at the University of Western Australia. The Decathlon is a national academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Our students competed against over 60 teams across ten disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. The standard of work submitted by students is always exceptionally high and the competition is fierce. We congratulate our students on an outstanding effort. Our Year 7 Team came 2nd in Creative Producers, and 2nd in Legacy. Our Year 8 Team came 1st in Ideation, and 1st in Legacy. Our Year 9 Team came 3rd in Engineering, and our Year 10 Team came 2nd in English and 3rd in Code Breaking. It should be noted that all our teams were ranked in the top ten across a number of the disciplines, which is an exceptional achievement. It was a fantastic two days and a wonderful opportunity for our Magis students to interact with like-minded students from other WA schools. Our Year 7 and 8 students were excited to strike a pensive pose beside Socrates statute outside Winthrop Hall, as they are learning about Greek Philosophers in their Magis Elective classes (see photo below). I would like to thank my colleagues Ms Gray, Mr Connellan, and Mr Harris for their assistance at the competition, and to all staff that assisted with practice sessions in the lead up. 

We have a group of students attending the WA Young Leaders Summit this Sunday. This year’s summit will focus on space law, governance, and the future uses of space. Our students will also get to explore and discuss prevalent political and social justice issues facing our world, and we very much look forward to hearing about their experience in next week’s College Newsletter. 

MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!

Girls Day Out in STEM!

Girls Day Out in STEM is a unique online event for girls aged 10 to 14 years old, to help them discover their potential through opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The event will be held from Sunday, 3 March to Sunday, 10 March. Registration is required. For further information please click on the link here. 

Young Women in Public Affairs Award

The Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award is an exciting opportunity for young woman who are aged 16 to 19 years on 1 April 2024, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes.  It is designed to encourage applicants to continue their participation in public and political life.  The Award initially attracts a grant of $500.  As it is part of the Zonta International suite of awards, the successful recipient will subsequently have the opportunity to be considered, alongside other regional awardees, for an International Award (and grant of $5,000). For further information, including the application form, please see the Head of Magis. The deadline for receipt is 15 March. 

Ethics Olympiad Case Writing Awards 

Ethics Olympiad are holding a case writing competition with prize money to be won. Submissions should follow the general format for Ethics Olympiad cases: a scenario, between 400 and 800 words long, which highlights a clear moral issue and is appropriate for middle or high-school students and is written in a way that encourages civil discourse. The scenario should be framed so the central issue is clearly moral and not simply or primarily legal or professional. Knowledge of the structure of the Ethics Olympiad competition is important. If you haven’t taken part previously, I would encourage you to either speak to a student who has competed or contact the Head of Magis for more information (copies of past cases can be provided). Entries must be submitted by email to the Head of Magis by Friday, 19 April (Week 10). 

UN Youth - WA State Conference

UN Youth WA State Conference is a three-day event for passionate young people to gather from across Western Australia. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘The Future of Your Democracy’. Students will discuss some of the most important issues facing our global community and develop a greater understanding of the role they can play in shaping our global future. Open to students in Years 9 to 12, the conference will be held at Seaside Camp on Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April (Week 10). The cost of the conference is $260 per person (all-inclusive of food and accommodation). If a weekend of leadership, diplomacy, and advocacy sounds good to you, then join other like-minded youths at the 2024 State Conference. For further information please click on the link: WA State Conference | UN Youth Australia or speak with the Head of Magis.

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 click here for more information, or speak with the Head of Magis.

Entries close Friday 17 May (Week 14).

Term 1 Calendar

You can keep up to date with Magis events by following the Term 1 calendar, which can be accessed by clicking on the link below. 

Daisy Farley

Head of Magis - Gifted & Talented Program