Magis Report 

Magis Academic Challenge

Our final Magis Academic Challenge for Term 2 tested students’ knowledge of Humanities, Art, Languages and Literature (HALL). Student representatives from Years 7 to 12 took part in a quiz, and we congratulate the following Year group winners:  

• Year 7: Rosie Davini (Campion)
• Year 8: Ash Karunaratna (Ward)
• Year 9: Oliver French (Campion)
• Year 10: Charlie Tegg (Loyola)
• Year 11: Alyssa Mignacca (St Louis)
• Year 12: Joseph Scott (Campion)

Congratulations to St Louis House – the overall champions for this challenge. Pictured is Ms Mavromatis’s Homeroom, Year 9 St Louis, celebrating their win. A full list of results, including the leading student performers in Years 7 to 12, can be found below. Our next Academic Challenge will be held during National Science Week in Term 3 and will test students’ STEM knowledge.

Update: WA Debating League 

The WA Debating League (WADL) has announced the top teams from each division who will progress to the final rounds of the Schools Debating Competition (SDC). In 2026, the number of students participating in the competition across the state has increased significantly. Whilst it’s pleasing to see continual growth in engagement, it also means those final spots are hotly contested! So, it’s with great excitement that we announce that John XXIII College has six debate teams progressing to the finals: three Novice Teams and three Junior Teams – sharing the top spot for the highest number of teams making finals with Perth Modern School and St Mary's Anglican Girls School.

The SDC finals consist of five knockout rounds (see the Magis Calendar), culminating in the Grand Final on Tuesday 25 August. The first finals round (Double Octo) will be held on Tuesday 28 July (Term3, Week 2). Communication will be sent to families once the debate venue and times have been finalised. We wish all our finalists the very best of luck!

Update: College Chess Tournament 

And then there were two…. We have had over 90 students from Years 5 through to Year 12 take part in this year's College Chess Tournament – our highest number to date. Since the beginning of the term, we have held heats which have knocked out players after each round. Our quarter-final was held at the start of the week, with the semi-final played earlier today – and what an exciting round it was! While Jamie Haydon (Year 9) put up a great game against his senior opponent, Joshua Standen (Year 11) was the first student to secure a position in the Grand Final. In a surprise upset, the 2025 Grandmaster Christopher Tan (Year 10) was knocked out by 2025 semi-finalist (and good friend) James Sommerfield (Year 10).  

The 2026 College Chess Tournament Grand Final will be played on Monday, 29 June, at lunch, in the Innovative Hub, Ignatian Centre. We wish both players the best of luck!

You can keep up to date with our schedule of competitions and events by viewing the Magis calendar, which can be accessed 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

Shakespeare Incursion

Next term, the Magis Program will host The Players from Bell Shakespeare for a wonderful afternoon of Shakespeare immersion. A key aspect of our GATE program is providing our students with opportunities to learn 'more'. It is important for our students to be exposed to a wide range of genres, styles, and topics. Learning about Shakespeare gives students a glimpse at another world, and helps improve their logical thinking processes, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness. The incursion will be held on Friday, 21 August (Term 3, Week 5), during periods 5 and 6. 

Students will take part in a short activity, followed by a performance of Such Sweet Sorrow and then a Q&A with the actors. Our annual Shakespeare Incursion is compulsory for all Years 7 and 9 Semester 1 & 2 Magis Elective students. All other students must complete the incursion e-form on Magis Teams by Friday, 31 July (Term 3, Week 2).

National Senior Stretch Conference

We are in the process of selecting twelve Years 10 to 11 students to take part in the 2026 National Senior Stretch Conference. At this event, senior students will grapple with challenging questions about knowledge, rules, freedom, technology and human experience – exploring issues of truth, responsibility, and what it means to live well. More than just abstract theory, this is philosophy in action: learning to follow the logic, question assumptions, and test ideas that touch every part of human life. This study day is not about memorising information. We work at the conceptual level to explore intellectual foundations and equip students with a deeper understanding. It’s about taking an interdisciplinary approach to the fundamental ideas that underpin our understanding of the world, ourselves, and others. We bring you the kind of intellectual stimulation previously reserved for the students of Oxford and Cambridge. Expressions of interest are due Monday, 29 June (Week 20), with the conference scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August (Term 3, Week 4).

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.