Magis report 

Warmest thanks to everyone who has assisted with the Magis program during this difficult COVID term. The program has been very successful in interschool, house and club events.  Our Magis Committee consisting of 16 students from Years 8 to 12 met this week, reviewed the term, and discussed the term 2 program. One amendment for Term 2 was the amalgamation of the Arts/HASS House Challenge with the Language Literature Challenge. Both will now be completed in one session with 20 questions for each of the challenges.  Some members of the Magis Committee are also assisting with both the coaching of Year 7 Interschool Debating teams and the adjudication of the Public Speaking heats for Years 7, 8 and 9. Their service to the community is outstanding. I would also like to thank Mr Connellan, Ms Lumley and Sr Tess for the terrific help with managing Interschool Debating teams, and to key alumni debating coaches Rory Hewson, Charlie  Richards and Ben Linsten

Public Speaking heats take place in weeks one and two next term followed by the grand final in the GBLT on Tuesday 10 May at 6.30pm.  We look forward to some splendid speeches.  Interschool Debating also continues in week two next term, on Tuesday 3 May. From this debate onwards only novice teams (Years 7 and 8) will have prepared debates where they have the topics in advance.  All junior and senior debaters have impromptu debates and receive the topic an hour before the debate. Therefore students in impromptu 5:30pm debates will need to be in their rooms setting up for Zoom by 4:15pm, and 6:30pm debaters must get ready at 5:15pm.  The Round 3 debating details are linked with this report, and an updated set of instructions will be sent out to all debaters on the first day of second term.

A full term 2 Magis calendar will be circulated at the start of term 2, and will include Interschool Debating, public speaking, the House Academic Series details, Famelab, and information about the various clubs including Drones, Dungeons and Dragons, Sleek Geeks and the Shakespeare Clubs. Parents and families are encouraged to assist Shakespeare Club members by completing the questionnaire asking you to rank Shakespeare’s best sonnets – it takes about 5-10 minutes.

Years 7 and 8 Magis elective students have just completed assessment challenges in either Da Vinci Decathlon or  Creative Edge – two major interschool competitions we always compete in, which will both be held in Term 3. The elective students produced some exciting work. Photo collages are linked below. 

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.

Jim Miller

Magis Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator