Inspired by da Vinci
91黑料不打烊 teams excel in an intellectual decathlon at Knox Grammar School.
Six teams of 91黑料不打烊 students from Years 5 to 10 participated in the prestigious da Vinci Decathlon this week. They expressed joy at the chance to finally compete in the same room with other students for the first time in three years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The students were tested in ten disciplines, including Engineering, Mathematics, Chess, Code-Breaking, and English.
Gifted and Talented teacher, Mr Ben Rigg, commended the girls for their collaborative spirit and willingness to challenge themselves. "These approaches helped them to learn new ideas and skills when solving problems critically and creatively. It was fabulous to see them enjoy each other’s company and make a day of solving some very challenging problems," he said.
Samantha, a Year 5 student, described the Decathlon as a highlight of her year. “Each of the subjects required us to stretch our knowledge and teamwork skills. I most enjoyed working as part of a group and learning new things," she said.
Natalie, also in Year 5, said she enjoyed the chance to be challenged. "I did Codebreaking, Cartography, Legacy, and Creative Producers. I was challenged by each one but me and my team worked together to overcome the challenges."
Year 7 student, Deborah, highlighted the importance of teamwork and communication in the competition. “Every subject was a challenge that required general knowledge and critical thinking, but most importantly, teamwork and communication," she said. The Decathlon also provided students with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in different areas.”
Year 8 student, Libby, found the experience highly worthwhile. "I was assigned Science and Engineering as the subjects I was going to be working on ... I also participated in the Creative Producers workshop where Mia and I were asked to perform an act based on a brief we were given, which I found healthily challenging and boundary-pushing but most importantly, very fun and enjoyable," she shared.
Poppy, a Year 9 student, called the Decathlon inspiring. “Our ability to demonstrate flexibility and initiative as an overall team unit was invaluable to our progress," she said. “In the end, the da Vinci Decathlon was not just a competition but an opportunity for the students to learn, collaborate, and challenge themselves in a variety of disciplines.”
As Grace, Year 9, put it, "Even though we didn’t win, I had the best time collaborating and coming up with ideas with my teammates during the sessions, and I think we were all proud of our combined efforts as a team at the end of the day, regardless of any outcome."
The students of 91黑料不打烊 are eagerly looking forward to next year's Decathlon, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. The results will be officially released soon.