Public school students strike gold in Mathematics Olympiad

8/11/07
Rossmoyne Senior High School led the way in an outstanding performance by public school students at the recent 10th Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad.
The school dominated the team category of the competition held at The University of Western Australia, comfortably taking out first and second place.
Joseph Wong, Gowri Manoharan, Bharat Pothukuchi and Lena Birdus won the Jack Bana Award for Excellence for the most outstanding team performance, narrowly edging out schoolmates Derek Choo, Daley King, Andrew Jamieson and Gavin Siow.
Perth Modern School Year Eight student Ben Wong accumulated a perfect score of 25 points to take a share of the top individual prize.
Congratulating all the students, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said their brilliant results showed that mathematics education in public schools was in a healthy state.
"Strong mathematical skills can open the door to a wide variety of rewarding careers and opportunities in areas such as economics, the sciences, engineering and computing," Mr McGowan said.
"The magnificent results achieved by public school students are a credit to all teachers and students involved and point to a bright future for our State."
About 170 of the State's best Year Eight and Nine mathematicians took part in the Olympiad, competing for $1,600 worth of prizes in several categories.
Students had 100 minutes to solve 10 challenging questions requiring problem-solving skills in algebra, geometry and arithmetic, and another 40 minutes to provide a team solution on a non-standard question.
The best performing students will now be invited to take part in the UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians.
The prize winners from public schools include:
Jack Bana Award For Excellence
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Department of Education and Training Team Award for Excellence
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Best Individual Score
Ben Wong - Perth Modern School
Merit Awards
Daniel Fontini - Shenton College
Gavin Siow - Rossmoyne Senior High School
Daley King - Rossmoyne Senior High School
Derek Choo - Rossmoyne Senior High School
Marcus Chong - Applecross Senior High School
Anne Do Van - Governor Stirling Senior High School
Simon Shook - Applecross Senior High School
The 10th Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad was proudly supported by the Department of Education and Training, School of Mathematics and Statistics, UWA Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Curtin University School of Engineering and Mathematics, Edith Cowan University Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Murdoch University, Mathematical Association of Western Australia, New Edition Bookshop and Data Analysis Australia.
Minister's office: 9222 9111