Challenging young mathematical minds
Wesley College students have recently participated in a number of mathematics challenges with outstanding results. Assistant Head of Mathematics at Glen Waverley, Jenny Moran, says “there are many opportunities available for Wesley students who are mathematically inclined to participate in challenging and stimulating activities. As educators we are always looking for new ways to engage our students, and the Australian Mathematics Competition, the Australian Informatics Competition and the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, are all excellent opportunities to do so.”
Organised by the Australian Mathematics Trust, these competitions are an excellent chance for students to encounter some in-depth questions and develop their problem-solving skills. Jenny Moran says the students “really enjoy the opportunity to tackle something unfamiliar that stretches their mathematical thinking.”
Over 200 Wesley students took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition this year, with nine students receiving High Distinctions, placing them in the top 5 percent of their cohort, and 44 students receiving Distinctions, placing them in the top 15 percent of their cohort. Two students performed outstandingly, being placed in the top 0.3 percent of their cohort. Congratulations to Year 4 student Niki Lumsden and Year 9 student Hamish Moody, who was awarded the Prudence Award and invited to participate in the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad, as a result of his excellent work.
11 students took part in the Australian Informatics Competition with Year 11 student Lachlan Wilson receiving a High Distinction, placing him in the top 2 per cent of the cohort, and Jackson Harding receiving a Distinction. Six students also took part in the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, with Year 7 student Natasha Stonehouse-Melke receiving a High Distinction, placing her in the top 4 per cent of the cohort, and Year 4 student Niki Lumsden receiving a Distinction.
Wesley congratulates all students involved. It is fantastic to see so many students challenging themselves to develop their problem solving skills and mathematical thinking.
