To Infinity and Beyond

After securing four 1^st place wins by sweeping the Regional da Vinci Decathlon competition, all five of Smith’s Hill Decathlon teams, for the first time ever, represented the school and the region at the da Vinci State Championships at Knox Grammar School.

The da Vinci Decathlon is an internationally recognised academic competition that is designed to challenge gifted and talented students and promote a love of all learning, emulating Leonardo da Vinci’s polymathic pursuits. Arguably the most demanding and prestigious of academic competitions, the decathlon participants compete in teams of eight against other teams of eight in 10 academic areas. Students’ critical thinking skills, creative ability, intellectual capacity and team work are challenged in a gruelling range of tests and activities consisting of (but not limited to) Mathematics, Science, Art and Poetry, English, Engineering, Ideation, Creative Producers, Code Breaking, Cartography, and General Knowledge.

Braving very early mornings and extremely long days, 40 of Smith’s Hill’s finest competed against over 3000 of the best and brightest students from the Sydney region, Canberra region and various NSW rural locations. The Year 11 team, in their final year of eligibility, represented SHHS in the way we all come to expect, with excellence and virtue. Year 10 successfully placed 1st in the state in the Engineering category, Year 9 effectively attained 2nd in Ideation and 2nd in Engineering, while Year 8 achieved a commendable 3rd in Engineering. Year 7 succeeded in achieving 3rd in Ideation, 2nd in Engineering and 2nd in English and bettered 77 other Year 7 teams to finish third in the state competition. It is the first time Smith’s Hill High School finished in the top three at the da Vinci State Decathlon.  Well done, Year 7! Most importantly all team members enjoyed their time thoroughly, made new friends, developed their teamwork skills, and challenged themselves academically and creatively.

I would like to congratulate all team members on Smith’s Hill’s most successful year yet in the da Vinci Decathlon and thank all students who auditioned for the teams. At such a great school, with so many talented students there is no doubt many students, who would have contributed to the team’s success, were unable to participate at the competitions. I would encourage those students who unsuccessfully auditioned for the teams this year, to try out again next year.

I would also like to thank Mr Deitz for his care and encouragement; the School Administration and Support Staff, for their attention and consideration to the paperwork and certificates; and especially to the parents of all the students, for their continued grace, positivity and support. I look forward to building upon these successful results in 2020.

T. Treleaven

Smith’s Hill High School da Vinci Decathlon Co-ordinator