Over the course of the previous two terms, groups of students from years 5, 6 and 7 have participated in mathematics problem solving challenges through a  nationally based group APSMO (Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads).

Typically, students who exhibit an interest and appetite for challenging problem solving will be ‘volunteered’ by their class teachers, in two categories:

Yr 6 and 7: Maths Olympiad

Yr 5 (with a couple of Yr 4 students): Maths Games

Students gather each week and work together in solving a variety of maths challenges. What has impressed me is the ‘growth mind set’ exhibited by students as they develop confidence to have a go, make a mistake, and remain enthused to try other possibilities. There are plenty of opportunities for students to share their learning with each other. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my week!

Students who have participated in the Maths Games challenges include: Sean Doull, Erica van Vledder, Marcus Tran, Arabella Vaughan, Iris Lee, Clementine Launay, Henry French, Eduardo Tullloch, Saraf Nawar , Jess Davis, Sumer Sampson, Jason Li, Liam Kritharas, Jemima Forsyth, Emily Volkers, Sam Firth, Geordie Apps, Zach Esvelt, Sam Rowland, Elise Piteo, Barbara Liang, Rishab Thairani, Soumil Samanta, James Thomas.

Students from the Maths Olympiad group include:  Zac McRoe, Henri Tran, Tam Ha, Ella Mariuz,  Eshal Khan, Ben Beaven, Jack Appleton, Zach Altamura, Sasindu Maheepla, William Hu, Siddharth Sajeesh, Ricky Ye, Joshua Altamura, Jemima Conlon, Renee Ng, Oliver Apps, Samhita Sundaram, Eila de Fontgalland, Nabila Budiarso, Joshua Allen, Nick Woods, Amna Sattar, Thomas Masters, Ollie French, Thomas James, Lily Cousins-Webb, Thomas Lay, Oscar Davis.

Congratulations to every one of these students. At last week’s assembly we presented certificates to all students, and special awards to students who had particular success.

Tam Ha won the award for our top performing Maths Olympiad student. James Thomas won the award for the top performing Maths Games student (with  a perfect score over the five assessments). Amna Sattar won a special encouragement award for her positive, collaborative way of working with all team members.