What began as a local competition in Sydney, has flourished and grown to be a national and global phenomenon, involving thousands of students from Years 5 to 11 across Australia. Sunshine Coast Grammar School is fortunate to be the first school in Queensland to host a regional da Vinci Decathlon event.
Over two days, Sunshine Coast Grammar School will host scores of teams for each Year group from 5-9 for the regional competition, with the best moving on to State Finals and then Nationals, which is held each year at Knox Grammar School, Sydney.
We are thrilled to be the first regional Queensland school to host the da Vinci Decathlon. We sat down with Brenda Gahan, Dean of Primary 3-6 to find out more about this exciting, signature event.
What is the da Vinci Decathlon?
The da Vinci Decathlon began as a local competition in Sydney and has since grown to be a national and global phenomenon, involving thousands of students from Years 5 to 11 across Australia. It is designed to celebrate the academic talent of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging 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. Students are challenged to showcase their academic and creative skills under strict time pressures. The children need to be not only strategic but agile on the day.
What does this mean for the students?
Grammar takes pride in our gifted and talented programs. Our aim is to provide engaging programs that support and extend our high potential and gifted students through our academic curriculum and SOAR program.
Hosting the da Vinci Decathlon will provide the opportunity for students across the region to connect with like-minded students. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge students in Years 5-11. The da Vinci Decathlon challenges and stimulates the minds of school students.
The students are always keen to participate in the da Vinci Decathlon. Last year, the competition was held online with students missing the buzz and excitement of an in-person competition. When we shared the news about hosting regionals, the students were bursting with pride and excitement. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition celebrating a range of passions, where students are challenged to showcase their academic and creative skills under strict time pressures. Students need to be not only strategic but agile on the day.
How has grammar performed in the decathlon in the past? are you hoping for a win on home soil?
Grammar has enjoyed competing in the Decathlon over many years with great success. Last year we placed third across the state for Year 5 and have placed in many different disciplines over the years. We have teams from Years 5-10 competing. We want our students to thrive on the challenges that the day will bring and celebrate the successes of other teams with our Grammar spirit.
What are you most looking forward to?
We are looking forward to welcoming all of the teams from across the region, sharing in the passion they will bring to each day of the competition, and celebrating their love of learning. There will be a buzz and energy that can’t be quantified. Last year, the competition was held online with students missing the excitement of an in-person competition. The students are incredibly excited to compete at their own school!