Magis
Open Day
Open Day on 16 March show-cases the multitude of wonderful opportunities offered by the College to provide excellence in co-education for our students. In the Library Magis Media Club students will screen some of their productions as well as offer visitors a post card of the College to take with them. The Chess Club and Astronomy Club will also be active through the morning.
Media Club
Members of the Media Club had another successful afternoon on Friday, filming the Weekly Wrap. Each week we change the film crew, editors and presenters in order to give all Club members a chance to develop their skills and learn new ones. Interested people can see the Wrap at:
At our weekly planning meeting it was decided to begin work on a short film. I am excited to see what the students produce given time to develop scripts and film.
Philosophy
This week has been busy in relation to philosophy. On Monday night I attended the Australian Philosophy in Schools executive committee meeting. After discussion about the WACE philosophy course it was decided teachers need PD and that John XXIII College would be the perfect venue for such an event. Members of the committee are very interested in our Primary Philosothon.
On Thursday afternoon I had a meeting at the Art Gallery of Western Australia to organise the day which is in our diaries for 28 June. I expect up to 70 primary students from up to 10 schools will participate in this. We will run a PD for teachers before the event. The idea of the Philosothon is that students will be able to work with art works to generate a philosophical discussion. We are fortunate to have this unique opportunity and I expect the Primary Philosothon will be a much anticipated annual event.
Philosophy Club in the senior school continues to meet on Friday at lunch time in Xavier 10. All students are welcome.
Mock Trials
This week Team Compassion welcomed their new coach, College parent and Alumni, Peter Quinlan. Our existing coach, Assistant State Solicitor Kate Pedersen, goes on long service leave this year. It is wonderful that she can leave our beautiful team in such capable hands. What is also exciting is that we have a number of Year 10 students who have joined the team and I am very excited about their prospects over the next few years as they learn new skills through Mock Trials. Furthermore we are fortunate that Mr Fitzpatrick has taken on the task of coaching our witnesses. Already it is obvious that this will work well for our case preparation. Our first trial is next week on 21 March in the Supreme Court. Parents are welcome to watch the trial which starts at 6pm sharp. The team meets outside the Supreme Court at 5.30pm.
Library
The College Community may be aware that as from 16 March I am coordinating the Ignatius Centre as well as Magis. I have moved from the Magis Office into the Library. As we progress into the term I will organise tutorial sessions for Year 12 students to finesse literacy skills. These sessions will run after school in the Library until 4.15pm. For the past three years I have worked one-on-one with Year 12 English and Literature students, this new initiative is an extension of my existing Magis activities.
Dr Annette Pedersen
Magis Coordinator
