The Ignatian - December 2016 Vol 26 July Edition Vol 27 | Page 23

Year 7 Magis 2017
This year saw the start of a new integrated subject called ‘Magis’.
Magis means ‘the more’, and for St Ignatius, the ‘more’ meant doing
and being more for Christ and for humankind – reaching deeper,
thinking more thoroughly and applying skills and knowledge in
authentically Christian ways. Magis involves three Key Learning
Areas (KLAs): Science, Mathematics and Technical Applied Studies
(TAS). While other schools have embarked on STEM related subjects,
Magis provides students with the three disciplines underpinned by an
Ignatian philosophy of reflecting on our own actions and reflecting on
our community in order to serve others more.
The students began with mini projects using a Project Based
Learning (PBL) model. This provided them with the understanding
and skills required to connect the three subject areas. The first unit
of study, The aMAZEing Spheros, provided many ethical and social
challenges launched and explored by Dr Paul Hine, Mr Russell
Newman and Mr Patrick Lowe in conceptualising driverless cars at
Riverview by replacing the traditional technology of the golf buggy for
transportation.
Through the unit, students learnt basic programming while
navigating the spheros around mathematical shapes. This
encompassed the three KLAs but also provided a lens to reflect on
the advancement of robotics into our society. A true understanding
of Magis within the integrated learning model provides students
with a ‘depth and quality in what we do’. To learn how emerging
technologies can be used within our community, the project
required students to build a maze (Riverview) and program a
sphero (transportation vehicle) for duties (medical, administrative,
informative and co-curricular), providing a conceptual understanding
of how students can serve others while also understanding the
potential implications of future technological developments.
Above The Magis teaching team
J O E L B U D D , A S S IS TA N T H E A D O F FAC U LT Y - TA S
Smith House
2017 for Smith House has been very busy with the introduction of the
new Year 7s, House events and sharing the whole family feeling of
what it is to be in the Smith Family. The change in the pastoral system
has really made the students in the younger years feel more included,
particularly with mentor groups, House meetings and the integration
of the Senior boys being more actively involved with the Junior school.
One clear example of this would have to be the presentation of the Year
12 ties and badges for the Year 7s. It was an opportunity for each Year
7 student to meet and greet each Year 12 with their tie, and the same
again with the badges. There was also the involvement of the Regis
boys, who would have been the first out of all the other Houses to be
greeted by the Smith Family. The T20 Charity fundraiser for Redfern
Jarjum College and the Timor Leste school was also a proud moment
this year for the Smith House community. As a team in an hour of toil,
we raised $1789.50. We look forward to many upcoming events sharing
the spirit of Mum Shirl.
T O M B E AU M O N T, S M IT H H O U S E V I C E- C A P TA I N
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