Great Scot September 2019 Great Scot 157_September 2019_ONLINE | Page 21

LEFT TO RIGHT: BACK
ROW: MARCUS PETER,
FREDERICK HUGHES,
NICHOLAS LAROBINA,
JUSTIN CHAN
2019 National
da Vinci Decathlon
FRONT ROW: LIAM
CHEN, ANDREW LI,
EDWARD WANG,
THOMAS JOHNSTON.
Academically challenging – and a great opportunity to make new friends
Sixteen Year 7 and Year 8 National da
Vinci Decathlon Scotch boys gathered at
Melbourne Airport on 29 June in anticipation
of some big days ahead in Sydney. After
winning the 2019 Victorian state finals in both
Year 7 and Year 8, the Scotch teams were
filled with much excitement and enthusiasm.
The 2019 National da Vinci Decathlon
in Sydney spanned four days. This year’s
theme was ‘Heritage’. This extension activity
is an academically challenging competition
which encourages intellectuals from across
Australia to combine their skills and abilities as
a team. It covers various disciplines including
Mathematics, Science, English, Creative
Producers, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry,
Ideation, Cartography and Engineering.
During the first two days in Sydney we
explored many places, including the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House
and the Rocks. We also participated in an
exciting race around Sydney. Housed in a
Knox Grammar boarding house, we got to
know other students from different parts of
the country.
On 1 July at 8.45am the competition we
had all been anticipating finally began. It was
fierce, with teams of the highest intellectual
abilities from across the country competing
against each other. All activities were both
challenging and fun. The Year 7 team worked
cooperatively, giving their maximum effort
and team spirit to achieve the best possible
outcome in all activities. After being placed
second or third in four disciplines they were
awarded third place nationally. The Year 8 team
won two disciplines and was placed second in
another discipline – excellent results overall.
Andrew Li (Year 7) commented: ‘My
experience in the da Vinci Decathlon was
amazing. On the day of the competition, it
was nerve-racking, but the feeling was mutual
throughout the entire room. As soon as it had
officially started, all the nervousness melted
away, as everybody hurried away to begin
the tasks assigned to them. Everybody had
a great time and made new friends, while still
strengthening the relationships between the
people they already knew.’
The 2019 National da Vinci Decathlon
was a once in a lifetime experience which I
will fondly remember. New friendships were
forged among ourselves as well as with
students from other schools. Thank you to Ms
Linossier and Mr Weinert for organising the
trip. I would like to encourage every Scotch
boy to give this Extension Studies activity a go
as I guarantee you will love it!
JUSTIN CHAN – YEAR 7
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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