John XXIII College Newsletter

From the Principal

Magis

Our students have recently accompanied our Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Mr Jim Miller, on the ‘World Scholar’s Tour’ to Melbourne. The teams competed successfully and we have been advised that the College will be invited to compete at the international Tournament of Champions at Yale University. Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to providing more information as it becomes available.

 

One of our challenges is to provide opportunities for all students to achieve to their maximum potential. We often use the term ‘Magis’ when describing our extension programs.

 

Magis is the Latin word meaning "more; to a greater extent," and is one of the core principles of an Ignatian education. All students need a learning environment that fosters well-being and learning consistent with their potential. Education should never be for self-centred purposes, such as to acquire personal power, material prosperity or success. Rather, it should be to help people develop into the integrated persons God intends, including as individuals who have learned to 'serve and be responsible for others'.

 

This year there have been many new and exciting initiatives to complement our existing programs. These include:

  • Creation of a Magis Committee consisting of two students from each year from 7-12.
  • Introduction of a strand of Magis called Altiora.
  • Creation of a Magis competitive strand with points allocated for academic performance, performance in interschool and intra-school gifted student competitions, and a series of Magis Academic Challenge events including academic spelling, mental maths, academic knowledge and memory challenge.
  • Weekly Magis Memo to enhance communication and highlight Magis events and results.
  • Magis Academic Breakfasts – three so far with outstanding external speakers.
  • A Magis Awards’ Breakfast each semester.
  • Three John XXIII Championships in Public Speaking, Creative Writing and Chess.
  • Introduction of Magis camps beginning with a Magis Middle School Camp at Point Walter.
  • Magis special events including performances by Bell Shakespeare and Alpha Motivation.
  • Extension of the participation in World Scholars Cup to seven teams in the Regional rounds.
  • First ever representation in World Scholars’ Cup Global Round.
  • First ever participation in the Creative Edge Challenge at Curtin University (won by our students)
  • Participation in the first-ever Catholic Schools’ Mooting competition (won by our students).
  • First team in Opti-MINDS at Curtin university.
  • New model for Years 7 and 8 Gifted and Talented classes based on three central components: an International Baccalaureate-style Personal Project, an Introductory program on philosophy, and preparation for either representing the school or internal school participation in Da Vinci Decathlon (Term 1), World Scholars Cup (Term 2) and Opti-MINDS (Term 3).

Congratulations to all talented students involved in the programs and to Mr Miller and our other dedicated staff for providing their time and expertise for our students.

Robert Henderson

Principal

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