Magis report
Magis is well and truly under way – with students enthusiastically taking up the call to strive for excellence – to strive for the ‘more’ – from mapping out their competition schedules, to setting their academic goals. There has been a great response from students signing up for competitions and clubs, which has been very pleasing. Our first Magis Assembly for the year, was held on Tuesday. It provided a wonderful opportunity for Magis and Altiora students, from Years 7-12, to come together and to discuss our program for the year. Our 2023 Magis Captain, Daniel Doran, gave an inspiring speech – sharing with students his journey through the Magis program and offering his advice and support for our younger year students.
Our Semester 1, Year 7 and 8 Magis Option classes met for the first time this week. One of the major components of this Option Course is the Personal Project. This program is based on the International Baccalaureate but modified to suit younger students and the timeframe within which the College Option program is run. Students are challenged to choose a project related to a major interest or passion of theirs, and they work on this over the course of the Semester. Parents are encouraged to discuss ideas for these projects with their children. Personal Projects will be displayed in an Exhibition for staff, parents, and students to view at the end of the Semester – with special awards to be presented at the Magis Awards Breakfast for the most outstanding projects.
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. An important reminder that communication to Magis students is mainly via the weekly Magis Memo and through Teams. Notices are also placed on our Magis Noticeboard, as pointed out by some of our Year 11 Magis Leaders, Thomas Syminton and Asha Paton (pictured below). With SO MUCH happening it is important that students read these notices carefully.
Magis: Opportunities to do more! (WADL)
Western Australian Debating League
Last chance to sign up! Nominations close Monday 13 February (Week 3). The WADL Schools Debating Competition (SDC) is the largest and most prestigious secondary school debating competition in Western Australia. Divisions including Novice (Years 7-8), Junior (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-12). Teams from across WA compete for the title of State Champion. Students from Years 7 to 12 may nominate individually or as a team. Each team must have at least four members.
Mock Trials
The Law Society coordinates an interschool Mock Trial Competition for students in Years 11 and 12. A mock trial is a simulated court case in which teams contest a fictitious legal matter in the WA court system. The cases are presented by two teams – a prosecution/plaintiff team and a defence/defendant team – made up of students playing the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses, and court officials. The Mock Trial Competition provides students with an opportunity to learn valuable skills in research and in the development and presentation of a persuasive argument. An information session will be held on Wednesday 15 February at lunchtime in A9. Expressions of interest are to be made by email. Nominations close Friday 17 February.
Da Vinci Decathlon
The Da Vinci Decathlon is designed to celebrate the academic gifts of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging academic competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Please note competition dates:
- Years 7-8 Tuesday 9 May
- Year 9-10 Wednesday 10 May
Nominations close Friday 24 February.
World Scholar’s Cup
The World’s Scholar Cup is an international team academic program with more than 15,000 students participating from over 65 countries every year. Students compete in teams of three in events such as Scholar’s Challenge, Collaborative Writing, Team Debate and the Scholar’s Bowl. The academic activities each require knowledge of a curriculum, which is divided into a section about history, social studies, art and music, literature and media, science and technology, and a speciality area. Students will meet regularly to learn the curriculum prior to regional round. For more information click on the link. Nominations close Friday 24 February.
Senior Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad provides students with a unique opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. It is designed to get students thinking, talking, and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time. Its objective is to do more than just help students think through ethical issues: It is to teach students how to think through ethical issues together, as fellow citizens in a complex moral and political community. The Senior Ethics Olympiad is open to students in Years 10-12 – with nominations closing Friday 3rd March. Please note: There will be a Middle School Ethics Olympiad held later in the year – which is open for students in Years 7-9.
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