Magis report 

John XXIII’s outstanding Year 7 team had another impressive victory in the second round of WA Debating League finals on Tuesday and now move into the state quarter fFinals at Perth Modern School this Tuesday. Congratulations to the team of Charlie Pronk, Sasha Pallis, Caterine Gazia, Tom Beach and Noa Mintz and coach Ms Dawson on a great performance defeating a very strong Year 8 team from Bob Hawke College. Warmest thanks to the wonderful parents giving great support for the team. 

Congratulations to Xavier Jeffrey who represented John XXIII College with great distinction in the WA Final of Famelab at the Heath Ledger Theatre on Thursday. Xavier delivered a superb speech on gravity and won the Wildcard Award (third prize) which included excellent cash awards from the McCusker Foundation.

The Magis Camp last weekend was a wonderful success, with a record 45 students attending at the beautiful Point Walter campsite. Highlights included outstanding 90-120 minute workshops from David Castanellani from Alpha Motivation, and Kathy Boyatzis, Director of Creative Edge Thinking. Year 12 Magis leaders Skye MacMillan and Bella Pether also gave splendid key note addresses, and the Talent Show on Friday night was  great fun. Special thanks to Mrs Alison O’Connor and Mrs Lorraine Holmes who gave fantastic support at the camp.  

The House Academic Championships for 2021 concluded last Friday with the Year 9 and 10 section of the Language-Literature section. Another record was broken with 46 Year 10 students competing. Loreto House won both Years 9 and 10 sections, but finished second overall behind Koolyangarra with St Louis third, but there were some fine performances from all Houses. The Language-Literature results are attached with this report. Congratulations to all competitors, and warmest thanks to House Coordinators and Homeroom Teachers. The overall champion House for the Academic Challenge series will be announced at the RUOK Secondary Assembly.

Several judges are still finalising deliberations on the Creative Writing entries, and I expect to announce results early next week. Next week also sees the commencement of the John XXIII Chess Championship run by Magis. Fixtures will be out on Tuesday, and it takes about 2-3 weeks to complete the competition depending on the number of entries in each year group. Good luck to all competitors.

Next week nominations will be taken for several upcoming major gifted student competitions including British Parliamentary Debating (this term), Royal Commonwealth Society’s Speech and Leadership Contest, Ethics Olympiad and International Debating, which we competed in for the first time in 2020.

Calendar of Events

Jim Miller

Magis Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator