Magis report
Over the summer break, a select group of Magis students took part in The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) Stargirls STEM Camp. This camp is open to high school girls and underrepresented genders in Years 9 to 12. Over the course of three-days, our students participated in a host of amazing hands-on events including networking, learning about the Universe and how we study it, and participating in a nighttime stargazing session.
Maia Kim (Year 9) said
The unique program offered us the chance to use research-grade telescopes and engage in a variety of astronomy and engineering related activities. I especially enjoyed being able to connect with experts in the field of astronomy. It was an immersive, thoroughly rewarding, and captivating holiday experience.
We look forward to announcing details of 2025 camp and application process, later in the year. Here’s to the next generation of women in STEM.
Magis is well and truly underway, with students enthusiastically taking up the call to strive for excellence – to strive for the ‘more’ – from mapping out their competition schedules to setting their academic goals. There has been a great response from students signing up for competitions and clubs, which has been very pleasing. We have extended the due date for some of these competitions, due to the technical issues we have been experiencing with transitioning to a new College system. Our Main Magis Teams is now up and running, and students will be receiving their student newsletter, the Magis Memo, as of Monday. We also look forward to holding our first Magis Assembly for the year, next week. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for all our students in Years 7 to 12 to come together and discuss our program for the year.
MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!
WADL Debating
The WADL Schools Debating Competition (SDC) is the largest and most prestigious secondary school debating competition in Western Australia. Divisions including Novice (Y7-8), Junior (Y9-10) and Senior (Y11-12). Teams from across WA compete for the title of State Champion. Last year we had great success with one of our Novice League Teams named Runner-Up State Champions. Students from Years 7 to 12 may nominate individually or as a team. Each team must have at least four members. Nominations close Tuesday, 13 February (Week 3).
Mock Trials
The Law Society coordinates an interschool Mock Trial Competition for students in Years 11 and 12. A mock trial is a simulated court case in which teams contest a fictitious legal matter in the WA court system. The cases are presented by two teams – a prosecution/plaintiff team and a defence/defendant team – made up of students playing the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses, and court officials. The Mock Trial Competition provides students with an opportunity to learn valuable skills in research and in the development and presentation of a persuasive argument. Nominations close Tuesday, 13 February (Week 3).
Da Vinci Decathlon
The da Vinci Decathlon is designed to celebrate the academic gifts of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging academic competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Last year, our teams did exceptionally well, winning several prizes. We look forward to continuing our success in 2024. Please note the competition dates: Years 9-10 Wednesday 6 March and Years 7-8 Thursday 7 March. Nominations close Tuesday, 13 February (Week 3).
Senior Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad provides students with a unique opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. It is designed to get students thinking, talking, and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time. Its objective is to do more than just help students think through ethical issues: It is to teach students how to think through ethical issues together, as fellow citizens in a complex moral and political community. The Senior Ethics Olympiad is open to students in Years 10-12 – with nominations closing Friday 1 March. Please note: There will be a Middle School Ethics Olympiad held later in the year – which is open for students in Years 7-9.
Daisy Farley
Head of Magis - Gifted & Talented Program