Magis report 

Our College Creative Writing Competition closed on Monday, and what a marvellous response we have received from our Years 7 to 12 students. Their short stories and poems have been collated into a book and will be distributed to our panel of judges early next week. A selection of College staff and a former Senior Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame, have the unenviable task of determining our junior, intermediate, and senior division winners. We look forward to announcing the winners of the 2023 Competition, with prizes to be presented at our Magis Awards Breakfast in Term 4. We commend all students who put ‘pen to paper’. The standard of entries was simply outstanding!

Our Mock Trials Team held a morning tea earlier this week, in celebration of their success at trial, and to signify the end of the 2023 season. Our students reflected upon their work leading up to trial and their performance in the various criminal and civil trials they conducted. It also provided an opportunity to recognise the exceptional work, leadership, and commitment displayed by our Year 12 team members over the past two years. We congratulate these students on their outstanding achievement in the WA Law Society Mock Trial Competition:

• Spencer Burchett
• Daniel Doran
• Rachell Flavell
• Sophie Gazia
• Alexia Philpot
• Jonanna Negus
• Ben Mignacca
• Yvie Rigg
• Kate Scalise

Congratulations to Year 9 student, Christopher Cesare, who competed in the State Semi Final of the 2023 FameLab Academy Competition. FameLab Academy is the sister competition to FameLab, Cheltenham Festival’s world-leading science communication competition, which discovers, trains, and promotes the best new voices in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Christopher presented a three-minute talk on using artificial intelligence and robots in modern warfare. His presentation will now be judged by a panel of expert judges and industry professionals, and we wish Christopher the best of luck in this next stage. Special thanks to Mr Purkiss for his assistance. 

MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!

WA Schools Constitutional Convention

A reminder to Year 11 Politics and Law ATAR students that expressions of interest in the 2023 WA Schools Constitutional Convention are due by Monday, 14 August (Week 5). The Convention will provide a unique opportunity for students to hear from a variety of experts exploring the topic of Constitutional Change in a Referendum Year, complete a variety of educational activities, and work collaboratively with peers from around the state. The students participating in the Convention are then eligible to apply for the National Constitutional Convention, which will be held in Canberra in March 2024, with all costs fully funded by the Australian Government Department of Education (DOE). For more information, please see attached flyer.

British Parliamentary Debating

The WA Debating League is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 British Parliamentary Debating Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their skills in public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving. It is an extremely rewarding competition. Students who have participated in previous years have found that the skills they learned during the competition, transferred across subjects in school and different extracurricular classes. Students will also have a lot of fun on the day, as they can partner up with a friend, explore a range of interesting topics, and meet new people. For more information on the format of the competition and the different skills learned, please see the Magis Coordinator. Expressions of interest are due by Monday, 14 August (Week 5).

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