Sunshine Coast Grammar School is set to be the first Queensland school to host the da Vinci Decathlon. We chat with Brenda Gahan, Dean of Primary 3-6 at Grammar to find out more about this exciting event happening in May 2023.
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.
This year we will host 20 teams for each year group 5-9 for the regional Queensland competition. Then the winners from each state will go to the National da Vinci Decathlon Final held each year at Knox Grammar School in Sydney.
Students at Sunshine Coast Grammar School preparing for the 2023 da Vinci Decathlon
What does this mean for the students?
Hosting the da Vinci Decathlon will provide the opportunity for students across the region to connect with like-minded students. When we shared the news about hosting regionals, the students were bursting with pride and excitement!
How has Grammar performed in the Decathlon in the past? Are you hoping for a win on home soil?
SCGS 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.
Related Stories
How inquiry learning is helping little ones grow at Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Your look beyond the doors at Grammar Early Learning Centre
Check out Sunshine Coast Grammar’s stunning new art precinct!
What are you looking forward to most?
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!
Students at Sunshine Coast Grammar School taking part in the da Vinci Decathlon 2022
WHEN is the da Vinci Decathlon?
- Years 5, 6 & 7: Wednesday 3 May 2023
- Years 8, 9 & 10: Thursday 4 May 2023
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
