Problem-Solving Prowess: Students Demonstrate Advanced Skills in National Maths Olympiad
Selected Years 7 and 8 Mathematics students demonstrated exceptional diligence and intellectual aptitude this year by competing in the prestigious APSMO Mathematics Olympiad. Their successful engagement with challenging, complex problem-solving tasks over four distinct competition days underscores their strong critical thinking skills and commitment to high-level mathematical inquiry.
Top Placements in the National Field:
- Edith (Year 8) achieved an outstanding result, placing in the Top 10% of all Year 7 and 8 participants across Australia.
- Madeleine, Christie, Sanjana and Hannah (Year 8) secured excellent rankings, each finishing in the Top 25% nationally.
- Ava (Year 7) performed strongly, ranking in the Top 30% of the combined Year 7 and 8 candidates nationally.
Here are a few of their reflections regarding their experience with the competition:
Through Maths Olympiad, I was able to learn many methods to solve challenging problem solving questions. By solving these advanced questions that covered a variety of topics, I was able to enhance my mathematical reasoning skills as it enabled me to find the answer after a deeper understanding of the question. It was an enriching, and enjoyable opportunity, though it was extremely hard. To conclude it was a challenging but worthwhile experience which the whole class participated in.
~Edith
Participating in the Math Olympiad was such an enriching experience. The competition pushed me to think beyond standard methods and to rely more on creative thinking to explore different approaches. Each question was challenging and required problem solving skills which really helped me improve my mathematical ability and understanding of concepts. It was a great opportunity to learn and grow, bring it on next year!
~Ava
I was lucky enough to have been able to participate in Maths Olympiad this year which consisted of 4 tests that challenged my problem solving and reasoning skills under timed conditions. Through this experience, I was able to strengthen my thinking skills and build resilience. It helped me build the ability to tackle unfamiliar questions by thinking outside the box. I feel this program strengthened my love for maths and made me feel more confident as I experimented with different methods of solving problems and new ways of thinking. Each test consisted of a different set of challenging questions that not only tested me mathematically but also challenged my critical thinking skills. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and would like to thank the teachers and everyone else who made it possible.
~Hannah
We commend all students who were involved in this rigorous competition. We recognize their significant accomplishments and anticipate their continued high-level engagement in the Olympiad next year.
Mr. Mark Pangilinan, Assistant Mathematics Coordinator
