The True Value of the da Vinci Decathlon Competition

There is an African proverb that reminds us “it takes a village to raise a child,” and nowhere is this truer than in the journey of young learners transitioning from individual effort to the challenges, and rewards of teamwork. The Da Vinci Decathlon is more than a competition; it is a lesson in humility, shared success and the understanding that true achievement comes from collective effort.

For our Year 5 and Year 6 students, this experience was about far more than results; it was about growth. The training, the late-night reading, the collaborative problem-solving at home, all of it led to that single day of competition. While the challenges were real, with mental exhaustion testing their resilience, what stood out was their ability to work as one. They learned that no single person carries the victory; instead, success is woven from the contributions of every team member.

Our Year 6 team secured 2nd in Code Breaking, 7th in Engineering, and 13th in Mathematics, while our Year 5 team achieved 1st in Engineering, 5th in Legacy, and 13th in Cartography. Moving beyond the numbers, what truly mattered was their ability to reflect afterwards – identifying strengths, acknowledging areas for improvement and, most importantly, celebrating as a team. There was no focus on who solved which problem; instead, they embraced the shared joy of learning and the pride of having given their best together.

This is the essence of humility: recognising that success is not about individual glory but about lifting each other up. We are immensely proud of our students, not just for their placements, but for the way they supported one another, persevered through challenges, and celebrated as a united team. That, more than any trophy, is the real victory.

Mrs Christina Koika-Cellini – Da Vinci Coordinator