The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and inspire high-achieving students in Years 5–10.

On the 1st April, our Years 7 and 8 Catholic Schools of Maitland-Newcastle teams competed in the first day of the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon at Bishop Tyrrell College. This rigorous academic competition challenged students across ten disciplines, all centred around this year’s theme: Sustainability.

Students worked collaboratively across Mathematics, English, Science, Code Breaking, Engineering, Ideation, Creative Producers, Art and Poetry, Cartography, and Legacy, applying their critical and creative thinking skills under competition conditions.

The team of high-ability students in each year group from across the diocese demonstrated exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience as they tackled complex challenges throughout the day.

Year 7 Team

Oliver McEwan St Paul's Catholic College, Booragul

Caine Platt St Paul's Catholic College, Booragul

Oliver McNally St Joseph's College, Lochinvar

Xavier Crosby St. Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Max Isbel St Clare's High School, Taree

Silas Keighran St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm

William Studdert St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm

Maya Hollaway All Saints' College, Maitland

The Year 7 Team achieved the following results –

1st Science

1st Code Breaking

2nd Engineering Challenge 

2nd Ideation 

2nd Cartography 

3rd Mathematics 

Overall, Second Place

Year 8 Team

Emmett Hayles Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown

Mia Keogh San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield

Michael Bonanno St Clare's High School, Taree

Beau Vaughan St Clare's High School, Taree

Mitchell Daly St Joseph's College, Lochinvar

Harrison Mitchell San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield

Ryan Lambert St Joseph's College, Lochinvar

Noah Keegan San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield 

Our Year 8 Team achieved the following results –

2nd Code Breaking

2nd Cartography

Congratulations are also extended to our school teams:

Year 7 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown 2nd Mathematics

Year 7 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown 3rd Science

Year 7 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown 2nd Code Breaking

Year 7 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown 2nd Legacy

Year 8 St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead 3rd Code Breaking

Year 8 St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead 2nd Art and Poetry

Thank you to the students, schools, and all support staff for fostering high potential and gifted education.

Another incredible day at the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon with our Catholic Schools Year 9 & 10 teams demonstrating outstanding problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity across ten disciplines!

Year 9 Team

Dominic Viogt St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm

Neil Angelie (Lily) Obligado St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm

George O’Neill All Saints' College, Maitland

Charlotte Head St Joseph's Catholic College, Aberdeen

Zachery Jay All Saints' College, Maitland

Malina Pruteanu San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield

Mayah Lewis San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield

Xanthe Shields San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield

Year 10 Team 

William Lawley St Joseph's Catholic College, Aberdeen

Nicholas Wright All Saints' College, Maitland

Chloe Douglass Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown

Toby Burg St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm

Oliver Collins St Clare's High School, Tareee

Ivy Sternbeck St Paul's Catholic College, Booragul

Mia Millgate St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton

Hayden Searl All Saints' College, Maitland

Results

Year 9

2nd – Art and Poetry 

Year 10

1st – Mathematics

1st – English

3rd – Code Breaking

3rd – Cartography

School Team Achievements

Year 9 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown

1st – Mathematics

1st – Engineering

1st – Legacy

Year 10 Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown

1st – Creative Producers

1st – Art & Poetry

1st – Code Breaking

1st – Legacy

2nd – Ideation

2nd – Cartography

Overall Year 10 Champions – Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown

Year 10 St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead

1st – Engineering (B team)

3rd – Engineering (A team)

3rd – Ideation

3rd – Creative Producers

A huge thank you to our students for their dedication, our teachers for their guidance, and parents for your support and encouragement. An incredible effort from all involved over both days! 

Our Years 5 & 6 teams have wrapped up an exciting day at the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon, showcasing their problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork across ten challenging disciplines!

Year 5 Team

William Brown St John's Primary School, Lambton

Callan Nash St Kevin's Primary School, Cardiff

Sebastian Reddie St Patrick's Primary School, Swansea

Thomas Rapley St James' Primary School, Kotara South

Oliver Bancroft Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

Hugo Grant St Patrick’s Cessnock

Ethan Martin St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland

Ogni Anondo St Joseph's Primary School, Charlestown

Year 6

Eli Smith St Joseph's Primary School, Charlestown

Nicholas Johns St Joseph's Primary School, East Maitland

Indiana Batten Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah

Eddie Dowdell Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

Evan Tissera St Joseph's Primary School, Merewether

Christian Jackson St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Chisholm

Daniel Boulton St Joseph's Primary School, Charlestown

Isabella Cashman St Joseph's Primary School, Charlestown

Results

Year 5

1st – Science

Year 6

2nd – Engineering Challenge

2nd – Art & Poetry

3rd – Science

School Team Achievements

Year 6 St Mary’s Warners Bay

1st – Mathematics

1st – Science

A fantastic effort from all students, demonstrating high potential and gifted learning in action!

A huge thank you to all students, staff, and families for their support! These achievements reflect the dedication, resilience, and talent of our teams. Well done!