“This is a significant achievement and a real credit to the boys.”— Mr Gabe Robbie
Toowoomba Grammar School has recorded an outstanding result in its first appearance at the Queensland State Finals of the Da Vinci Decathlon, with the Year 8 team placing first in the state for English.
The competition, held at Brisbane Boys' College, brought together more than 70 schools from across Queensland, with TGS entering teams from Years 7, 8 and 9 all of whom had been part of our newly established Da Vinci Academy.
The Da Vinci Decathlon is a team-based academic competition spanning ten disciplines, including Mathematics, English, Science, Engineering, Ideation and Code Breaking. Students compete in teams of eight, requiring them to collaborate, allocate strengths and problem-solve across a broad range of challenges.
Head of Curriculum Mr Gabe Robbie said the competition provided an opportunity for students to apply their thinking in a dynamic, team environment.
"It is a highly contested academic competition across a wide range of disciplines," he said.
"Boys compete in teams and take ownership of how they approach each challenge, including selecting a captain and working together to deploy their strengths."
The Year 8 team, led by captain Aarav Kansagara, delivered a standout performance in English, placing first in Queensland against strong and experienced competition.
"To achieve first in the state in our first year of involvement is a sign of what is possible as the program continues to grow."
Across the two-day event, TGS teams achieved strong results in several disciplines, including a fourth-place finish in Mathematics for Year 7 and a fifth-place finish in Mathematics for Year 8.
Junior School students also took part in the competition under the leadership of Mrs Chantelle Bauer, Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), with encouraging results in their first year.
The Year 6 team placed fifth in Ideation, while the Year 5 team achieved its strongest result in Legacy with a sixth-place finish and ranked among the top 15 in several disciplines, including Cartography, Creative Producers, Engineering, English, Mathematics and Ideation.
Director of Learning and Innovation Mrs Crystal Hede said the competition was a valuable addition to the School's academic enrichment offering.
"The nature of the competition celebrates thinking in a broad sense," she said.
"It requires students to be adaptable and to apply their thinking in different contexts, rather than focusing on a single discipline."
With ten disciplines and only eight team members, students must make strategic decisions about how they approach each event.
"I love the team element," Mrs Hede said.
"They have to work out how to navigate the challenges and support each other. Teachers step back during the competition, so it really is driven by the boys."
The School's participation in the Decathlon forms part of the wider Da Vinci Academy, an initiative launched this year to support academically curious students and provide opportunities for extension across a range of disciplines.
Operating through regular sessions before and after school, the Academy brings students together to collaborate, problem-solve and develop their interests beyond the classroom.
"It is about creating a culture where boys can be proud of their thinking," Mrs Hede said.
"There is a real sense of collaboration, with students learning from one another across year levels and developing an awareness of their own strengths."
The success of the Year 8 team reflects the strength of this emerging program and the School's commitment to fostering broad, applied thinking in its students.
Planning
is already underway for future competitions, with the Da Vinci Academy
continuing to build momentum across both the Junior and Senior Schools.
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