Magis report
John XXIII College
With the 2023 WADL Schools Debating Competition almost upon us, it is important that all debating students are prepared before Round 1 - which will commence for our teams on Tuesday 21st March. All our rounds will be held at Shenton College, with debates commencing at 5:15, 6:15 or 7:15pm (the final debate to be concluded by 8:30pm). Students have access to the draft version of the 2023 draw, with the final calendar to be released by WADL early next week. Information will be sent out to students and parents at that time.
All preliminary Novice rounds are prepared rounds, meaning students will receive the topic one week prior to their debate. Team meetings will be held in the lead up to each round, and students are encouraged to use this time to think critically about their arguments and strategies. Rounds 1 and 2 of the Junior and Senior levels will also be prepared debates. However, Round 3 to Round 6 are impromptu rounds, which means that topics will be provided one hour before the debate with teams preparing their cases independently of external support, including the internet.
Success in debating is not solely determined by securing a place in the finals, but rather the development of students’ critical thinking skills and team strategies over the course of the six preliminary rounds. All debating students are encouraged to attend one of upcoming Development Seminars to best prepare for the competition. Some students have registered for this weekend’s WADL Development Day at Shenton College. It is expected that those students who are unable to attend, will be going to the College run seminar held after school this Tuesday 7th March (3:30-5pm in the GBLT). These Development Seminars, are a fantastic opportunity for students at all levels to spend time learning and polishing their debating skills, such as:
- How to identify different types of topics and how to unpack them
- How to construct cases
- How to prove arguments
- How to rebut arguments
- Strategies for winning debates and
- How to speak confidently and articulately.
We encourage every student, even those who have debated previously, to attend. Pictured below are some of our debating students having fun preparing for their rounds last year.
MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!
Ethics Olympiad Case Writing Awards
Ethics Olympiad are holding a case writing competition with prize money to be won. Submissions should follow the general format for Ethics Olympiad cases: a scenario, between 400 and 800 words long, which highlights a clear moral issue and is appropriate for middle or high school students. Please see Magis Coordinator for case criteria. Entries are due 29 April.
Creative Edge Short Film Competition
Lights, camera, action! Here’s a competition for budding film directors. Students can create a short 3-minute film about anything! Judges are looking for films which embody the creative edge spirit: imaginative, innovative and unique. Teams of 2 to 6 students may be entered. For more information, or if you are interested in registering a team, please email the Magis Coordinator before Friday 24 March. Film submissions will be due 30 June.
You can keep up to date with Magis and Altiora events by following the Term 1 calendar – which can be accessed by clicking on the link below.
Daisy Farley
Magis Coordinator – Gifted and Talented