Mathematics Newsletter Term 2 Week 5

Mathematicians at Geraldine High School continue to show a keenness to push out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves in the maths competitions that the school is excited to be able to offer them.

Kangourou sans Frontières presentation

In week 4’s formal assembly, our academic leader, Chanalee, presented the KSF certificates earned by the top 5 competitors at GHS by year group in the 2025 competition, which took place last term.

The placed mathematicians were:

Year 7

1st Scott T

2nd = Quinn D & Eden W

4th Barnaby M

5th Paetyn S

Year 8

1st = Paige A & Tom A

3rd Caitlin B

4th Asher B

5th Dylan B

Year 9

1st Fabian T

2nd Shantelle P

3rd Treece N B

4th Andrea W

5th Adele S

Year 10

1st Ethan H

2nd Elin B

3rd Danielle M

4th Billy N

5th = Ruby E & Bella S

Year 11

1st Agam B

2nd Finn O

3rd Anthony B

4th Drew J

5th Harry C

Year 12

1st Riley C

2nd Heidi T

3rd Zech R

4th Maisie F

5th Althea S

Mathematicians' names appearing in bold gained credit certificates for their performances. This placed them in the top 50% of the over 6 million international competitors, which is very impressive considering that this competition is aimed at the best mathematicians in each competing country.

Over 100 GHS ākonga entered the KSF this year, our largest ever entry, all students who entered and placed outside of the top 5 in their year groups received their certificates in class from their class teachers.

All entrants in the KSF this year will have their chance to pit their maths skills against other students in Australia and NZ again next term as they automatically gain entry for the Australian Maths Competition in school on Tuesday 5 August (term 3 week 4).

The New Zealand Senior Mathematics Competition

The premier mathematics competition for NZ mathematics students takes place this year on Thursday 31 July (term 3 week 3).

Last year, Tharushi W (then in year 11) gained an awesome result coming away with a Merit classification, the highest result ever gained by a mathematician at GHS.

The NZAMT SMC is a 90-minute competition that involves writing out full solutions to mathematical questions. It's recommended to anyone really wanting to push themselves and give themselves a run out against the country's best.

This year we already have three students who have thrown their hats into the ring: Ethan H (year 10), Agam B and Chamodhi A G (both in year 11).  Further students in years 10 to 13 interested in taking part should let Mr Weaver know as soon as possible. 

Aoraki Maths Competition

This team-based competition for teams of 4 from years 7 to 10 is running again this year on the evenings of 29 and 30 July (term 3 week 3) in Timaru.

It’s a lot of fun, with the year-based teams of four competing against other schools in the area. It’s also a bit of a physical workout too for each team’s nominated runner who has to run up to the front desks to collect questions, and then run back with the team’s answer to have their attempt marked. It’s quite a fun spectator sport too for whānau and supporting teachers.

If you’re interested in taking part this year please contact: Mrs Cramond (years 7 and 8) or Mr De Angelis (years 9 and 10).

Maths Drop In Workshop

With all this competitiveness going on, remember that Maths Workshop runs every Monday lunchtime in T1.

It’s a great place to practice for the upcoming competitions, get support around upcoming assessments and homework, to catch up on work from missed lessons, and just a good space to do some more maths with dedicated support. Bring your lunch and your maths!

Closing comment from John Rowe

(renowned Aussie maths educator)

“Problem solving without play can place too much emphasis on answer getting.

It can make students think there is one right way to think, which they need to replicate.

Students should feel that their ideas are welcome, and that their intuition is worth exploring.

The goal is not to find the answer.

The goal is to find joy.”

Bring on the joy. Bring on the maths.