Magis report 

The second state Semi-Final of the Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) was held last Saturday. The primary aim of the Award is to encourage and maintain the best use of clear and effective English. Meg Derbyshire (Year 11) delivered an eight-minute speech on animation as an art form and a three-minute impromptu speech on the long-term effects of COVID-19. Meg was commended on the consistency in manner and matter in both of her speeches and was selected as one of six state Finalists who will compete next month for the title of WA PESA representative. The State representative will compete in the National final later this year, with the Australian finalist competing at the international level of the competition. We congratulate Meg on an outstanding achievement.

Round 5 of the WA Debating League (WADL) Schools Debating Competition (SDC) was held on Tuesday night at Shenton College. Our Novice Teams debated the notion that ‘children are the future’. Whilst our Junior and Senior Teams took part in an impromptu debate, which meant that they arrived an hour before their scheduled debate to receive their topic and construct their position without the use of the internet or any supplementary resources. All teams performed admirably, and we congratulate them on a terrific effort. Many thanks to the parents who came to support the students on a very wet and chilly evening – and special thanks to Mr Webber, for supervising.

Over 60 participants took part in our College Chess Tournament this year – which is an impressive number. Over the past nine weeks, chess players from Year 5 through to Year 12 have taken part in a series of knockout rounds. The Grand Final was held over two lunchtimes – and what a game it was! Massimo Torre (Year 11 Ward) took on, reigning champion, Robbie Douglass (Year 12 Ward) in a thrilling game of masterful strategy from both players. Massimo started with a very strong attacking game, but Robbie came back with some interesting and alternate moves that seemed to take Massimo (and the spectators) by surprise.  In the final moments, Robbie trapped Massimo’s Queen behind some Pawns with a Bishop, whilst restricting his King as well. Robbie then moved his Queen into position – and that was Check Mate. Robbie Douglass has held on to his title of College Chess Grandmaster. We congratulate both players on a terrific achievement and recognise the wonderful spirit of fairness and comradery in which they conducted their games. Both Robbie and Massimo will be awarded their winner and runner-up trophies at our Magis Awards Breakfast later this year. Special thanks to Mr Connellan and Ms De Pinto for their wonderful support and assistance throughout the Tournament.

Yesterday, our Year 7 and 8 Magis Elective students displayed their Personal Projects in an exhibition held at the Thomas More Exhibition Centre. This is a very special event on the Magis calendar for it allows us to come together to celebrate the talents of our students. This exhibition not only marks the culmination of many months of hard work and planning, but also the completion of the Semester 1 Elective Course. The Personal Project Assessment, forms a major component of the course, and is based on the International Baccalaureate program but modified to suit younger students and the timeframe within which the course is run. Students were challenged to choose a project related to a major interest or passion of theirs, and the results were simply outstanding! We commend the students on the enthusiasm in which they discussed their projects and the professional way they were executed. Projects ranged from shipwrecks to embroidery, and everything in between. A full list of Personal Projects can be found below. 

Vlad Ksenyk (Year 7 Magis) said: 

'I had so much fun at the exhibition. I felt very adult like. Speaking about my exhibit with so many people. What I enjoyed most about this assessment was the process itself. I would look forward to going home and working after school on my project – and speaking to my parents about what I had learnt.'

Charlotte Foot (Year 8 Magis) said: 

'I love the Magis Program because of the Personal Project assessment. It has given me the opportunity to research the things that I love and present it to a wide range of people. Doing the project taught me many useful skills, including creating plans and setting goals – these are skills that I can now apply to all my other subjects.'

Many thanks to the staff, family and friends who came to the exhibition. It was also wonderful to see so many students had come in support of their peers - honouring our Ignatian values of being ‘people for others’ (homines pro aliis). Magis Committee Member, Felix Frichot (Year 11) was one of these students. He said of the exhibition: 'The effort applied by all the students was simply astonishing! It was such a pleasure being able to witness projects of this calibre.'

Congratulations to our Year 7 and 8 Magis students on a memorable exhibition! 

Next Friday 30 June is our Magis Community Mass. This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community in celebration and support of the Magis Program. Some students have nominated to take an active role in the mass, and we thank them in advance. Invitations have been sent out to all Magis families and we hope to see everyone there next Friday – our last day of the term!

MAGIS: OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE!

College Creative Writing Competition

Entries for the 2023 College Creative Writing Competition are now open! 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. Further details can be found on the Magis Noticeboard. Entries close Friday 28 July (Term 3, Week 2).

TEDx Kings Park Youth Competition

Win you own TEDx talk! If you’re a West Australian aged 14-21 with an idea for change, TEDx Kings Park, in partnership with Curtin University, can help. Your idea could be small and handy, or big and world-changing, for people, for the environment, maybe for the world. If you’re one of the five finalists, you’ll share your idea on the main stage of the State Theatre Centre of WA at the TEDx Kings Park Youth Event (see below). Entry is easy: Simply upload a 30-second video of you sharing your idea by 30 June. Five finalists will receive professional curation and coaching in public speaking. For more information click here, or speak with the Magis Coordinator.

Invitation to TEDx Kings Park Youth Event

Australia’s largest TEDx event for young people is back, at the State Theatre Centre of WA on Saturday 29 July. In one action-packed afternoon, students aged 14-21 will experience nine world premiere TEDx talks, performances and short films from WA’s young creative community and, in the breaks, interactive installations and complimentary food and refreshments. This is a powerful event for young people: to be stimulated by fresh ideas, and original approaches, and connect with the global TEDx community. If you would like to attend as part of our College delegation, please email your expression of interest to the Magis Coordinator by 30 June.

Term 2 calendar

You can keep up to date with Magis and Altiora events by following the Term 2 calendar – which can be accessed by clicking on the link below. 

Daisy Farley

Magis Coordinator – Gifted and Talented