Maths Olympiads and training at the Girls’ College

TOP OLYMPIAD ROUND 1 Results 2016

The first round of the South African Mathematics Olympiad was written nationally on 9 March 2016. The Mathematics Olympiad, administered under the auspices of the South African Mathematics Foundation, is intended to (amongst other things) generate an interest in Mathematics and to promote problem solving in mathematics education. In order to progress to the second round, which will be written on 11 May, learners must attain 50% or higher in the first round. There is a separate Grade 8 and Grade 9 paper, with the senior paper written by Grades 10, 11 and 12.

In an assembly on 9 May the top achievers in each grade were recognised for their tremendous achievements and were awarded Exclusive Books vouchers.

They are:  

GRADE 8 - Jessica James 95%

GRADE 9 - Georgina Stanley 75%

GRADE 10 - Kate Pringle 95%

GRADE 11 - E’Jane Li 80%

GRADE 12 - Grace Zhao 85%

We are extremely proud of the Girls’ College achievements, where 147 learners progressed to the second round (39 Grade 8s, 23 Grade 9s and 85 seniors).

Further training and development:

Pupil Training Workshops

At the end of term 1 we established a ‘partnership’ with Members of the Mathematics Department at the University of Johannesburg and Wits University. The South African Mathematics Foundation recently invited the top achievers from our school to take part in the Siyanqoba Regional Olympiad Training Programme. Learners nominated wrote a selection test on 6/9 May with a view to further advanced training for top students selected for the programme. We are excited by the potential advancement of our gifted learners through this partnership.

‘Teacher Focussed’ Problem Solving workshops hosted by St Stithians College

Two ‘Teacher Focussed’ Problem Solving workshop were hosted by St Stithians College appropriately titled: Problem Solving for Prep School Teachers (Dace Hal, 5/6 March) and Problem Solving for High School Teachers (GC Gym, 7/8 March), which were sponsored by the South African Mathematics Foundation and facilitated by Professor Alwyn Olivier. We hosted approximately 150 delegates from schools around South Africa at the two workshops which proved to be a resounding success.

SAMF (the South African Mathematics Foundation) have created courses for teachers to help them problem solve better and teach problem solving better - aligned, in part, to Olympiad training. These courses are run by senior members of SAMF for which there is official certification. The two-day High School course requires delegates to complete an assignment followed by a competency test.

At St Stithians College we have made Problem Solving and the Teaching of, and Padagogy related to, Problem Solving a strategic goal for 2016. In doing so we have a wonderful opportunity to upskill our Mathematics staff and interns, showcase our outstanding facilities and further advance Saints Mathematics as a centre of Excellence in the public domain.

Mr M Ancillotti                                                                        Mrs M Marais

HOD Mathematics                                                                  GC Olympiad Coordinator