Magis Report 

Our first Magis Academic Challenge for the year took place during the week. These challenges are open to all Secondary students at the College. They provide not only a wonderful opportunity for students to test their knowledge in a fun format but moreover allows them to make a contribution to their House. Each Homeroom can nominate up to 10 students to take part in a quiz testing students' knowledge across a number of disciplines. Students receive valuable House points for participating and points for place positions. These points go towards awarding not only the Magis Academic Cup, for the highest achieving House, but also the overall College House Shield. Our first Academic Challenge for the year, tested students spelling skills. Other challenges this year include STEM, Humanities, Languages, Literature, Art, Music, and Theology. Student representatives from Years 9 to 12 took part this week, and it was great to see students getting into House spirit. Congratulations to the following Year group winners:  

• Year 9: William Hoar (Koolyangarra)
• Year 10: Jonah Liew (Loyola)
• Year 11: Elise Kwei (St Louis)
• Year 12: Thomas Kirwan (St Louis)

This Tuesday will be our Year 7 and 8 student representative’s turn. So, open those dictionaries and start studying!

WA Debating League Update

Some of our debating students jumped at the chance to speak one-on-one with a former WADL adjudicator in a debate tutoring session after school yesterday. Students gained insight and confidence with their upcoming prepared motion. Round 2 will be held on Tuesday, 25 March (Week 8) at Shenton College. Students decided on their speaker order at their debating meeting earlier in the week. A copy of our Round 2 fixtures and a map of the debate venue can be found below. Parents can find a copy of the full SDC draw on the WADL website. We wish all our debating teams the best of luck with their next debate.

Our Years 9 and 10 students met during the week for their academic mentoring sessions. The aim of this program is to promote positive peer cooperation by providing a forum for our GATE students to exchange tips and share advice, as it pertains to their academic studies and co-curricular. Special thanks to our student leaders who led these sessions: Jonah Liew, Joshua Standen, Samuel Watts and Jennifer Ong. 

What’s happening next week?

It will be our Years 7 and 8 turn to compete in the Spelling Challenge. Round 2 of WADL SDC will take place on Tuesday evening. We also have meetings for the following competitions: WADL SDC, Senior Ethics, Mock Trials, da Vinci, and World Scholars. Students are reminded to view their GATE student newsletter, the Magis Memo, on Monday to note their meeting schedule for the week.

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.  

Magis: Opportunities to do more!

Plain English Speaking Award 

The Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) is a public speaking competition open to senior secondary school students (Years 11 & 12). It was created to encourage the best use of English language in Australian schools. Taking part has been recognised by thousands of young people as a valuable experience and, for the participants and winners, a worthy mention in their resume. We will be selecting two students to represent our College in the state semi-final next term. If selected, students will need to prepare an eight-minute speech on a topic of their choice. At the competition, students will also deliver a three-minute impromptu speech. The topic to be given by the adjudicator on the day. The winner of the state final will represent the state and their school at the national final in Sydney, with the winner of the national final to represent Australia in an international competition conducted by the English-Speaking Union in London. Expressions of interest are to be emailed to the Head of Magis by Monday, 24 March (Week 8)

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).

STEM Design Competition

Catholic Education WA (CEWA) have launched this STEM design competition, with the aim to get student perspectives. Put your innovation into action and design a digital logo or graphic that visually depicts what CEWA STEM is all about. This competition is open to all CEWA students. Winning designs will be displayed and celebrated at the 2025 CEWA STEM Showcases. To submit an entry, email the Head of Magis, your design by Monday, 12 May (Term 2, Week 13). Please note: Digital tools could include (but are not limited to) canva, seesaw, sketches, pages, word, keynote etc.

Tournament of Minds 

Tournament of Minds (TOM) is an international problem-solving program for teams of students. TOM aims 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 are to be held at Edith Cowan University in September, with the International final to be held in Sydney in November. For more information, please visit the competition website or speak with the Head of Magis. Expressions of interest are due Monday, 12 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! Entries close Friday, 16 May (Week 13).

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. 

Daisy Farley

Head of Magis