National Glory: Saints Girls Crowned da Vinci Champions!
On Friday 27 June, the last day of Term 2, the Year 9 da Vinci team (Ania Choi, Olive Dawson, Chutong Liang, Caitlyn Sam-Ling, Mim Vikor-Lam, Anny Zhang, Serena Zhang and Christina Zhu), accompanied by Becca Burton-Howard and Cindy Pitkin travelled to Sydney to compete in the National Finals of the da Vinci Decathlon, an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students across ten distinct disciplines.
The theme for this year’s National competition was ‘Turning Point’ and the students worked very hard in the five weeks between the State Finals and the Nationals to prepare for possible problems and tasks. Their efforts were rewarded, with the team placing in the top three for six out of the ten disciplines. They achieved first place in Ideation and Art & Poetry, second in Cartography and third in Science, English and Creative Producers. These amazing results meant they were awarded first place overall for Year 9, making Saints Girls the National Champions for Year 9 for this year’s competition.
This is best-ever result at da Vinci Nationals not only for Saints Girls, but for any South Australian school in the history of the competition.
The students worked so hard to prepare for both the State and National competitions, attending regular practices before school and at lunch times as well as additional sessions on weekends and in the holidays. We are very proud of both their efforts and their achievements.
Cindy Pitkin
Head of Languages and Language & TOK Teacher
A team of Year 9 students represented Saints Girls in the National Final of the da Vinci Decathlon, held at Knox Grammar School in Sydney, where we were honoured to be named the 2025 National Champions!
The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition that challenges students across ten disciplines: Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Code Breaking, English, Art & Poetry, Cartography, Creative Producers, Ideation, and Legacy. It’s designed to extend students through higher-order thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
The national theme this year was ‘Turning Points’, which shaped the challenges we faced across the event. Each task tested a different skill—sometimes analytical, sometimes creative—and required us to work together under timed conditions.
Competing against strong teams from across the country was a challenge, but also a great opportunity. There were moments that really stretched us, but what stood out the most was the collaboration and resilience our team showed throughout.
It was incredibly rewarding to be recognised at the national level, especially given the range of schools involved. This achievement reflects the time and preparation put in by the team, and we’re especially grateful to our teachers, Ms Becca Burton-Howard and Mrs Cindy Pitkin for their guidance and encouragement.
The da Vinci Decathlon is not only an academic challenge—it’s also an experience that builds confidence, communication skills, and adaptability. I’d definitely encourage students who enjoy a challenge to get involved in future years.
Olive Dawson
Year 9 Student
Year 10 Workplace Learning
All Year 10 students take part in Workplace Learning, and this provides the girls with an opportunity to explore and investigate a field or career they may be interested in pursuing in the future. This year the placement was 25-27 June and again proved to be an invaluable learning experience for our girls. Students ventured into many varied and interesting places such as vet clinics, law firms, kindergartens and hospitals, to name a few. The feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive, and all the girls are to be congratulated for the way in which they represented their school, their family and themselves in the wider community.
Here a few student’s thoughts on their week’s experience:
Workplace Learning provided me with a valuable experience and the opportunity to go out into the world and meet new people and learn new skills. During my time at work, I learnt how to navigate the kitchen and under the guidance of the chef, and I gradually became more confident. I also made friends with other staff members at the cafe, and they provided me with advice about my future career and life goals. In a word, Workplace Learning is not only a rewarding experience, but also a trigger which allows us to think more about what we want to do in the future.
Jodie Xiong (Lockwood General)
I completed my Workplace Learning at a Veterinary Clinic. I really enjoyed the experience, and it was very interesting to be able to observe surgeries, consultations and check-ups for various animals. One of my dreams is to become a Vet and this placement consolidated this for me and made it very clear that it was the pathway I wanted to pursue in the future. I really enjoyed working at the clinic!
Melissa Estafanos (Glen Osmond Veterinary Clinic)
I completed my Workplace Learning at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and I had the most incredible week. The program ran from Monday to Thursday and another Saint’s student and I had the opportunity to spend time with health professionals from many different specialities.
On the first day I spent the afternoon with a Cardiologist and observed as he examined patients. In the following days I observed an Audiologist, Play Therapist and a Speech Pathologist. The highlights of my week were learning how to create castes and learning more about the different roles in hospitals.
Everyone was so incredible and knowledgeable about their chosen fields and were only too willing to share their expertise with us.
Diya Bhinder ( Women’s and Children’s Health Network)
Karen Alderson
SACE Coordinator/Careers Advisor
Annual House Dinners – Book Now!
During Term 3, all Middle and Senior School girls have the opportunity to enjoy a night away from homework to get creative and colourful at our annual House Dinners.
The Year 11s have been working hard organising decorations, food and games for each event. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s creative costumes and enjoying a fun night with our Houses. Each House’s Year Level categories can be found on the posters located around the school so keep an eye out.
This is a compulsory event for all Years 7 to 12 students. Visit the links below to book your daughter(s) a ticket for the night.
Kilburn 8 August (bookings close Friday 1 August at 5pm)
Theme: Cinema
Kennion 15 August (bookings close Friday 8 August at 5pm)
Theme: Musicals
Patteson 29 August (bookings close Friday 22 August at 5pm)
Theme: America