Magis report 

It has been another busy week for our students with many teams meeting to discuss cases, practice past papers, brainstorm arguments, decide on speaker positions etc. An important reminder that communication to Magis students is mainly via the weekly Monday Magis Memo and through Teams. Notices are also placed on our Magis Noticeboard. With SO MUCH happening it is important that students read these notices carefully – and attend all practice sessions, development seminars and team meetings. All current competitions are team events - and so individual commitment to a group effort is vitally important. As Michael Jordan has said: 

'Talent may win games, but teamwork wins championships.'

The Magis Program continues to offer students the chance to compete in the top state gifted student competitions as well as national and global events. Expressions of Interest are now open for a number of competitions – so don’t miss out!

MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!

College Chess Tournament

Entries are now open for our annual College Chess Tournament. If you think you have what it takes to be our next College ‘Grandmaster’, or you simply want to have fun, then email your name, Year and House to the Magis Coordinator. All participants will win their House valuable points – with trophies to be awarded to our finalists. Will reigning Chess Champions, James Mitchell and Robbie Douglass (both in Year 12), be able to hold onto their title? Entries close Thursday 6 April, with the Tournament to take place at beginning of Term 2.

Intergenerational Project

Do you like watching the TV show ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ on the ABC? Well, Expressions of Interest are now open for students who wish to take part in an intergenerational project – where students will interview Mercy Care residents and record their stories in a Memories Book. For more information, please contact the Magis Coordinator. Expressions of Interest are due Thursday 6 April.

UWA Hackathon

A call out to Year 10 students. UWA will be providing a networking experience between students and professional industries, by partnering up with companies to run Hackathons. These Hackathons invite bright minds from all disciplines to come together as a team, and tackle challenges proposed by the partnered companies. Through these Hackathons, attendees are given the opportunity to understand how the company works internally and acquire essential skills, such as communication and critical thinking, from the event. No training will be required in the lead up. The event will be held early in Term 2 – date TBC. Please email your expressions of interest to the Magis Coordinator by Thursday 6 April.

College Public Speaking Competition

Entries are now open for our annual College Public Speaking Competition. Students are asked to prepare a three-minute speech on a topic of their choice. At last year’s grand final, students spoke on a diverse range of topics from the Kennedy curse; dreams; juvenile detention; the immune system; to providing compelling reasons for why pineapple should be placed on pizzas! All participants will win their House valuable points – with trophies to be awarded to our Year level finalists. Heats will take place in Week 14 – with the grand final to be held in the Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre (GBLT) on Thursday 8 June (Week 17). This competition will be judged by a panel of Magis Alumni students – who have all previously taken part in this event. It is sure to be a wonderful evening and we will be extending the invite to the College community to come in support. Expressions of interest are due Monday 8 May (Week 13).

Plain English Speaking Awards

The Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) is a public speaking competition open to senior secondary school students (Years 11 & 12). It was created to encourage the best use of the English language in Australian schools. Taking part has been recognised by thousands of young people as a valuable experience and, for the participants and winners, a worthy mention in their resume! Cash prizes to be won. The national winner also receives sponsorship to enable them to compete as the Australian representative in the international competition held in the UK. For more information, please speak with the Magis Coordinator. Expressions of interest are due Thursday 6 April. 

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. 

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