Magis Report
John XXIII College
Public Speaking Grand Final
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 College Public Speaking Competition. The speeches delivered by all grand finalists were exemplary, and the results were exceptionally close. Special thanks to Magis alumni Jennifer Ong (Class of 2025), Asha Paton (Class of 2024), James Green (Class of 2022) and Ben Ottobrino (Class of 2022) for adjudicating the Grand Final. Trophies will be awarded to students at our Magis Awards Breakfast later this year. A copy of the Grand Final program can be found below.
Our 2026 College Public Speaking Champions are:
- Year 7: Cecilia Natale
- Year 8: Holly Harrison
- Year 9: Henry Larkin
- Year 10: Zachary Sartorello
- Year 11: Rosabelle Taylor
- Year 12: Grace Nicol
Debating Update
The first finals round of the WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) took place on Tuesday evening at Shenton College and Wednesday evening at Perth Modern School. Many thanks to the family and friends who came in support. From over 300 teams in the preliminary rounds, the DoubleOcto Finals had the top 32 teams competing for a place in next week’s finals. We are pleased to announce that one of our
teams will be progressing to the next round.
Congratulations to Novice JTC 7:
- Asha Bowers
- Madeleine Miller
- Holly Harrison
- Rosie O’Toole
- Pearl Bovell
The next finals round will be held this Tuesday 4 August at Shenton College. Debate times/positions have not yet been released, but communication will be sent to students/families once confirmed by WADL. We congratulate our champion debating team and wish them the best of luck with their next debate. For those students who wish to develop their debating skills further, we encourage you to sign up for British Parliamentary Debating in Term 3 (see below for details) and/or the International Debating Championships, which will take place in Term 4.
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.
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
British Parliamentary Debating
British Parliamentary Debating is an amazing opportunity for students to develop their public speaking skills and learn a new style of debating. It is a niche and intensive competition that encourages teamwork and thinking outside of the box. The skills gained in this competition can transfer across all subjects and other co-curricular activities. This is a one-day competition, and students sign up in pairs. Further details, including the EOI process, preliminary round dates/locations, student resources, etc., can be found on Magis Teams. Expressions of interest are due Monday 17 August (Week 5).
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.
