da Vinci Decathlon

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the world’s greatest thinkers and scholars, and his paintings, sculptures and inventions still amaze us today. He was also a Mathematician, Engineer, Anatomist, Astronomer, Cartographer and Writer. All these areas and more, are represented in the annual Knox Grammar School da Vinci Decathlon.

The da Vinci Decathlon is open to students from Years 5-11. The aim of the Decathlon is to celebrate the academic gifts of students by providing a stimulating and challenging competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Participating schools enter one team of eight students per Year Group into the competition. At Ravenswood, students must apply for selection, and in Secondary School the process is rigorous, involving activities emphasising higher order thinking skills, problem solving, creativity and general knowledge. Once selected, teams train together to develop teamwork and to learn to respect others strengths and contributions.

Over two Decathlon days, hundreds of teams from local and regional schools work collaboratively competing in tasks which focus on a particular theme, for example Flight, Colour and Place. The atmosphere is abuzz with enthusiasm and creativity as the students involve themselves in tasks encompassing Engineering, Mathematics, Art, Poetry, Science, English, code breaking, games of strategy and forensic sleuthing.

In the past eight years that Ravenswood has been involved, students have achieved first, second and third place in the many different disciplines of the Decathlon. They have also learned about their strengths and the importance of effective teamwork.