Middle School

The Da Vinci Decathalon is an academic interschool gala day run in the spirit of an Olympic decathlon, with events of an academic nature and is offered in Years 7, 8 and 9. A team of eight students participate in activities in the following disciplines: Mathematics, English, Science, Code Breaking, Engineering Challenge, Philosophy, Creative Producers, Art and Poetry, Games of Strategy and general knowledge. The tasks are exciting and challenging with a particular emphasis placed on higher order thinking skills.

Write a book in a day is a fun, creative, collaborative competition combining writing, illustration and fundraising. Students work in teams of up to ten and all funds raised to The Kids Cancer Project. Students are sent specific parameters which the story needs to adhere to. Completed stories are distributed to The Kids Cancer Project.

Participating in the ‘Junior Stretch and Challenge, this day celebrates intellectual exploration, navigating ideas and establishing connections across various academic disciplines.

A variety of challenges are covered.  A recent activity has been the ‘Big Science Competition’.

The Ethics Olympiad helps students develop communications, collaboration and critical thinking. Unlike a debate, students take their own considered position in relation to an ethical question. The Ethics Olympiad covers several domains including Social Science, Philosophy, Religious Education and Gifted Education.

The Philosophy Workshop provides students with an overview of some of the key areas of philosophical thought, including theory of knowledge, metaphysics, ethics, morality and logic. Students engage with the fundamental questions of existence and work together to construct frameworks upon which individual and societal understanding and morality can be based. Students work in teams to solve hypothetical problems and logical conundrums, gaining a deeper knowledge of the world of philosophy and thinking skills they can transfer into many areas of academic studies.

Entering poems and stories into statewide and national competitions is encouraged and students can choose from many competitions on offer. Competitions may include: SLAM Poetry, Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Competition, Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition, Whitlam Institute Writing Competition and many others.

Mathematical insight and ingenuity are required for success in this competition. Mathematical knowledge required in this challenging competition. Students who have a real love for and ability in mathematics find this competition rewarding.

Tintern students participate in the statewide Mathematics Games Day which are held annually. Teams of Year 7 and 8 students travel to a central location to compete against other Victorian Students. This opportunity is organised by our Mathematics Department.

The Mathematics Talent Quest is an open-ended mathematical project requiring individual students (or groups) to select a mathematical topic to investigate, then plan and complete a project. Requiring creativity, application, independence and perseverance, students complete the project in their own time. The opportunity is organised by our Mathematics Department.

HSFOL is an online Mathematics quiz testing student’s skills and understandings in most areas of Mathematics. The competition consists of three rounds of questions, with teams of four students having one hour to complete the round. Students in Years 5 – 6 and the Middle School are offered this opportunity.

CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) is an awards program offered by the CSIRO, which encourages secondary school students to choose, organise and undertake a practical science or technology project. CREST helps students develop scientific and technological skills and processes. The awards are nationally recognised and each student who completes a CREST project receives a certificate and medallion. Students in Years 5-6 and the Middle School are offered this opportunity.

Offered to students who would benefit from additional intellectual, creative or artistic enrichment. Students select one Unit in Term 2 and one Unit in Term 3. Each unit is rigorous and intellectually challenging. It runs for 4-5 lessons, at a time nominated by the teacher. Units may vary each year and have included:

• Philosophy: Designing the perfect society
• Philosophy and the Metaphysics of Science Fiction
• The Journey of a Ball: a STREAM based unit
• Hands-on activities in Geometry and Topology
• Mathemagic
• Introduction to Spanish
• Bringing out your best – Leadership and teamwork
• Stepping towards more sustainable fashion
• Sequences and series
• Chinese culture
• Turning an idea into reality
• Idea generator
• Create a pod
• Are they related?