After 22 hours of intensive mathematics training over three weekends, learners from Gr. 6 to Gr. 12 from the Free State and the Northern Cape took part in the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) Mathematics Team Competition (SAMTC) on 14 September.
Junior participants in the Mathematics team competition are from the left, front: Tim Chang (Gr. 8), Helio Chen (Gr. 8) and Orion Chen (Gr. 6), all of Grey College; second row: Shiraaz Moosa (Gr. 8), Fei Fang Li (Gr. 8) both of Grey College, and Trevor Mudamburi (Gr. 9) of Bloemfontein High School; third row: Carli van der Westhuizen (Gr. 7) of Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, Martin van der Westhuizen (Gr. 9) of Grey College and Duan Bastone (Gr. 8) of Hoërskool Jim Fouché; fourth row: Tomisin Ogundeji (Gr. 7) of Eunice Primary School, Wendy Chang (Gr. 6) of Ladybrand Primary School, Linée Lubbe, Natasha de Waal (both Gr. 9 learners of Jim Fouché High School), Isabelle Kwakwa (Gr. 9) of the St Michael’s School for Girls, Hermina Oosthuizen (trainer), Rethabile Mothobi (Gr. 9) of the St. Michael’s School for Girls, Hannes van Biljon (trainer) and Ayanda Mabe (Gr. 7) of the Curro Primary School; back: Dr Elsie Schoombie (organiser), Miné Kriek (Gr. 9) of Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Milla van den Heever (Gr. 9) and Athena Huang (Gr. 8), both of Eunice High School and Kara Kruger (Gr.8) of Hoërskool Fichardtpark.Photo: Supplied
The Junior 1 team, consisting of Gr. 8 and Gr. 9 learners, came 8th in their division out of 43 teams.
Dr Elsie Schoombie, the organiser of the competition, said the Junior 2 team consisting of Gr. 6 and Gr. 7 learners, as well as Gr. 8 and Gr. 9 learners, obtained valuable experience. They came 37th.
The Senior 1 team, consisting of Gr. 10, Gr. 11 and Gr. 12 learners, came 9th in the senior division out of 42 teams, and the relatively inexperienced and young Senior 2 team, consisting mostly of Gr. 10 learners came 23rd.
“This is a huge achievement since the team also had the handicap of consisting only out of eight members instead of ten members, contributing to their total marks,” she said.
Participants in the senior division were from the left, front seated: Dr. Elsie Schoombie (organizer), Stiaan Scheepers (gr 10) St. Andrews’, Shanique Janse van Rensburg (gr 11) Jim Fouché High School, Ivan Graaff (gr 11) Welkom Gimnasium, Lindsey Neveling (gr 11) and Jaco Deysel (gr.11) both from Jim Fouché HS, Ellie Ras (gr.10) Bloemfontein High School and Janro Malan (gr.11) Goudveld High School; back standing: Palesa Tshipo (gr 11) Christian Brother’s College St. Patricks, Kimberley, Lianri Fourie (gr 11) Jim Fouché High School, Mamile Motaung (gr 10), Nana Aba Essilfie Amoah (gr 10), Kamogelo Shai (gr 10), Prince Conduah (gr 10) all from Bloemfontein High School, Konain Ahmed (gr 10) Grey College, Marthinus Schoombie (trainer), Takatso Rankholo (gr 10) Bloemfontein High School, Jon Smit (trainer), Demilade Ogundeji (gr 10) Grey College, An-Mari Nortier (trainer), Serena Induna (gr 12) St. Michaels’ and Kananelo Mabe (gr 10) Evolve Online School. Photo: Supplied
She said all of these learners, their parents and schools can feel proud of their achievements and their participation in these teams is on a par with obtaining provincial colours in sport.
“In this case the ‘sport’ in question has the benefit of being a livelong skill.”
Parents that want their children to be trained for participating in olympiad mathematics, can send a WhatsApp to Schoombie on 082-926-6674.
The Living Maths Olympiad will be conducted in the 4th quarter – a fun and highly accessible introduction to taking part in mathematics olympiads from Gr. R up to Gr. 9.
