HSIE NEWS

Hello MCC Community, 

Early on laTuesday morning, sixteen dedicated Year 9 students from MCC embarked on a highly anticipated journey to The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) in Wagga Wagga. The students, comprising thirteen members from the Critical Thinking elective and three from the Engineering elective, were heading to participate in the prestigious da Vinci Decathlon - Riverina zone. Despite the necessary pre-dawn start—a small price to pay for the intellectual excitement ahead—the atmosphere on the bus was buzzing with enthusiasm and high spirits.

The da Vinci Decathlon is an academically rigorous competition designed to challenge and stimulate young minds across a broad spectrum of disciplines. This year’s event saw over fifteen teams from across the Riverina region competing fiercely. The MCC teams immersed themselves in a series of demanding challenges spanning ten disciplines. These included:

1. Mathematics: Problem-solving and logic.
2. Engineering: Practical design and construction.
3. Code Breaking: Deciphering messages and patterns.
4. Cartography: Map interpretation and creation.
5. Science: Applying principles to real-world scenarios.
6. Art and Poetry: Creative expression.
7. English: Language analysis.
8. Ideation: Lateral thinking and problem generation.
9. Creative Producers: Improvisation and storytelling drama task.

10. Legacy: General knowledge and history.

     

Both Marian teams distinguished themselves with commendable performances throughout the day, achieving notable placings in several highly competitive categories, a testament to their preparation and collaborative spirit. We are delighted to report excellent results in the following disciplines:

• Art and Poetry: Showcasing their creative flair and sophisticated interpretive skills.
• Mathematics: Demonstrating strong analytical and quantitative abilities.
• Ideation: Highlighting their capacity for inventive and lateral thinking.
• Engineering: Proving their practical problem-solving and design skills under pressure.

The students excelled across a range of disciplines:

• Art and Poetry: Creative flair and sophisticated interpretation.
• Mathematics: Strong analytical and quantitative abilities.
• Ideation: Inventive and lateral thinking.

• Engineering: Practical problem-solving and design under pressure.

   

The rigorous academic nature of the competition was met with genuine engagement and enjoyment by all students. They embraced the intellectual demands of the day, collaborating effectively and rising to every challenge presented. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive, with every participant indicating an eagerness and desire to "leap at the opportunity" to compete in the da Vinci Decathlon again next year. Additionally, the event provided a valuable platform for applying and extending their knowledge beyond the classroom curriculum.

A sincere note of appreciation is extended to Mr John Seers for his invaluable contributions. Mr Seers not only drove the bus but also volunteered his time throughout the day to assist in the crucial task of marking the challenging tasks. His support was instrumental in the smooth running of the day and is gratefully acknowledged by the students and staff.

A very proud teacher, 

Mr William Lyon

Critical Thinking Teacher.