Da Vinci Decathlon 2024  

On Wednesday 22 May, a team of eight Year 7 and 8 students travelled to Methodist Ladies College in Kew to compete in the Year 8 Da Vinci Decathlon which is an academic gala day involving 10 events.

Out of the 27 schools participating in the decathlon, our Oxley team came second overall, which was a truly extraordinary achievement. To win a silver medal was the result of very strong teamwork, as well as skill and a lot of hard work. 

Oxley’s Da Vinci Decathlon Team Members this year were Leah C (7.4), Ellie K, Reuben T, Victor T, Andrew Q, Nicole M and Celina WM (all 8.5).

Each team member had shown commitment by attending lunchtime training sessions, along with some other students (Vivaan, Milton and Kalash), who also contributed positively to the preparation for different events.

Mr Mancev and I could not have been prouder of the way our students conducted themselves on the day. They were truly excellent ambassadors for the College.

Sharon Sandison

Senior School – Head of Learning Enhancement

Reflection by The Da Vinci Decathlon Team

We were privileged to be part of Oxley’s Da Vinci Decathlon team. For those who may be wondering, the Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition consisting of ten disciplines: Codebreaking, Cartography, Mathematics, English, Science, Art and Poetry, Engineering, Legacy, Creative Producers and Ideation. The theme for this year’s competition was Utopia.

Before the competition we trained every Tuesday and Wednesday during lunchtimes. We completed many practice tests and worked together, getting used to each other's company and skills. This extra work that we put in definitely paid off. 

Honestly, just being at the competition with all these prestigious schools was incredible. To think of winning, or even coming second, appeared to be a stretch of imagination. 

Once we arrived at the venue, we were seated and hyped each other up. We rallied morale, encouraged, planned, and gave each other pep talks. But nothing could prepare us for the stress once the competition began. 

Though we were reasonably confident at first, by the end of the tasks, we were a panicked mess, and we all regretted our answers after the timer went off. You know that feeling when you come out of a test just to realise you got one of the questions wrong? Yes, that was the feeling we all had. 

At the end of the day, we were able to clean up and reflect on the day. We each identified something that we enjoyed. For most of us, it was deepening our friendship and teamwork as a group. It is something often overlooked during the Da Vinci Decathlon. Most people see it as a difficult academic competition… which it is, but it is also so much more than that. It brings young minds together to test their knowledge and makes everyone work together. 

Then came the long-awaited results. To be completely honest, we weren’t expecting anything. So, when it was announced that we came second, we were shocked. We were happy beyond expressing with words, ready to float out of that room. I remember us looking at each other in disbelief. 

Most of all, we would like to give a massive thank you to Mr Mancev and Mrs Sandison. It is an overused phrase, but we could not have done this without them. They prepared us, organised us and encouraged us through the highs and lows. While we were busy doing the competition, they were busy marking it. 

Written by 

Celina and Nicole (with contributions and editing from the rest of the team: Leah, Ellie, Victor, Reuben, Andrew and Jonathan).