BRIGHT young minds from across the state will be gathering in Armidale this week to compete at one of the largest and most prestigious academic inter-school gala days in regional NSW.
The Northern NSW da Vinci Decathlon, to be hosted by The Armidale School, will bring together more than 520 gifted and talented students from state and independent schools and challenge them in a range of stimulating and engaging activities.
Developed by Knox Grammar School and now held in regional venues across Australia, students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: mathematics and chess; English; science; code breaking; engineering Challenge; philosophy; creative producer; art and poetry; cartography and general knowledge.
Macquarie University has this year joined the Decathlon team as the first university partner, and will be developing tasks with Knox Grammar and inter-state chapter school academics.
Year 7 and 8 teams will take part on Wednesday, followed by Years 9 and 10 on Thursday, and Years 5 and 6 on Friday.
Schools from Armidale, Inverell, Tamworth, Scone, Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Narrabri, Moree, Dubbo, and Glen Innes will be taking part in this year’s Decathlon, which has the theme Synergy.
“Synergy is the skill required to make a successful da Vinci Decathlon team. For us, synergy is eight students with differing expertise, interest and passion working together to create the best solution,” said TAS organiser Catherine Boydell.
She said TAS was honoured to host the northern NSW championships for the fourth time, having regularly attended the state championships at Knox.
“It is a wonderful extension and enrichment opportunity that strengthens students’ skills in logic, team building and multi-tasking,” she said.
