Magis report
Our Semester 2 Year 7 and 8 Magis Elective classes have had their introduction to the course. One of the major components of our GATE course is the Personal Project. This program is based on the International Baccalaureate but modified to suit younger students and the timeframe within which the elective course is run. Students are challenged to choose a project related to a major interest or passion of theirs, and they work on this over the course of the Semester. Parents are encouraged to discuss ideas for these projects with their children. Inspiration can be found in photos of past student work, which students have access to through their respective Class Teams.
Personal Projects will be displayed in an Exhibition for staff, parents, and students to view at the end of the Semester – with special awards to be presented at the Magis Awards Breakfast for the most outstanding projects. Pictured below is our wonderful Semester 2 Year 8 cohort. These GATE students completed the Elective course in Year 7 and will be extending their knowledge and skills further with our Year 8 course.
Our Tournament of Minds and Creative Edge teams have been busy working on their submissions for their respective Regional Finals which will be held later this term. Tournament of Minds is to be held at Edith Cowan University on 2 September, whilst Creative Edge will be held at Curtin University on 26 August. Our Tournament of Minds STEM Team (pictured below) has been tasked with building an exotic bird that can fly freely and unaided (without support or guide wires) and perform two different manoeuvres whilst in flight. They have spent time this week brainstorming ways to release their bird from its perch through various launch mechanisms and propulsion. It will be exciting to see what they come up with. Our Creative Edge Teams have completed their planning for their dramatic presentation on how events and decisions from the past have had a significant effect on future generations. These two competitions provide students with the opportunity to develop both critical and creative thinking skills and encourage them to experiment with original ways to communicate their challenge solution to an audience.
MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!
College Creative Writing Competition
Last chance to submit an entry in our College Creative Writing Competition! Students from Years 7 to 12 are invited to submit an original poem or short story. This competition encourages imagination, innovation, and creativity. There are great book prizes and trophies to be won. Click on the flyer for further details. The due date for entries has been extended to Monday 31 July (Week 3) – don’t miss out!
Intergenerational Project
Do you like watching the TV show ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ on ABC? Well, Expressions of Interest are now open for students who wish to participate in an intergenerational program – where students will interview Mercy Care residents and record some of their stories in a Memories Book. For more information, please get in touch with the Magis Coordinator.
WA Hackathon
The Hackathon is a short, intense collaboration opportunity for young people to solve various problems using the skills outlined in the Shark Tank eSchool Program. It is an exciting opportunity for collaboration amongst schools, engagement with the University of WA and also the ability for students to develop well thought out solutions to real-world problems. Teams can choose a problem from a number of social and environmental problems selected by UWA. Open to students in Years 10 to 11. Expressions of interest are due by Friday, 18 August (Week 5). For further information, please see the Magis Coordinator.
Shakespeare Club
Are you a fan of the Bard? Or interested in extending your literature knowledge further? Why not join our College Shakespeare Club! The mission of the Club is to encourage all people to enjoy readings and discussions of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. For further details or registration, please email the Magis Coordinator.
Model UN Club
Model UN is a popular activity for those interested in learning more about how the United Nations (UN) operates. Hundreds of thousands of students worldwide take part every year at all educational levels. Many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts – including at the UN itself – participated in Model UN as students. For further details, or to register your expression of interest, please email the Magis Coordinator.
Term 3 Calendar
You can keep up to date with Magis and Altiora events by following the Term 3 calendar – which can be accessed by clicking on the link below.
Daisy Farley
Magis Coordinator – Gifted and Talented