Magis Report
Our first academic mentoring session was held yesterday in the Ignatius Centre, with some of our Year 11 students meeting with the Magis Captain, Jennifer Ong. 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. These sessions will be held each term, with our Years 7 to 9 students meeting next week and the Year 10s, the week after. Magis students are reminded to view the Magis Memo (GATE student newsletter) for notice of when and where their year group is meeting.
Our Senior Ethics and World Scholar Teams were formed this week, and introductory letters have been sent to families. These teams will now begin their preparation and training in the lead-up to their Term 2 competitions. This afternoon, members of our WA Debating League teams will be meeting for a development seminar in preparation for their Round 1 debate. WADL are also running a session tomorrow at Shenton College, and we are pleased to see a number of students will be in attendance.
What’s happening next week?
Years 7 to 9 academic mentoring sessions will be held in the Collaborative Hub of the Ignatius Centre. Round 1 of the WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) will be held on Tuesday, 11 March (Week 6) at Shenton College (see map below) – with Novice division debates commencing at 5:15pm and Junior division debates at 6:15pm. Students have access to the 2025 season draw through Tabbycat. Below is a copy of our team fixtures for Round 1. We wish all our debating teams the best of luck with their first debate for the season.
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!
Girls Day Out in STEM
STEM fans, come and join Girls Day Out in STEM (GDOS) this International Women's Day for a week of online fun. It's all about Robots, Cyber Safety, AI, Financial Wellbeing and Data Science with STEM. There are also cool prize draws to be won. For more information about all the online events, visit the GDOS website. This event is open to girls ages 10-14 and anyone keen to explore STEM in a fun, safe space.
See you online!
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