28/8/02
A team from Forrestdale Primary School have proved themselves the State's mental arithmetic masters, winning the final of an interschool maths competition in Perth today.
Education Minister Alan Carpenter this morning presented the 'Forrestdale Bandicoots' with the Sons of Gwalia Inter-school NUMERO Challenge trophy, after they took first place in the finals of the competition held at Booragoon Primary School.
Teams from North Morley (North Morley Blue) and Duncraig (Duncraig Burgundy) primary schools placed second and third respectively.
The annual competition this year pitted 54 teams, including three country groups, against each other in the game of NUMERO, a mental computations card game invented by Western Australian Reverend Frank Drysdale.
"Forrestdale Primary School did very well to win the challenge in what was a close and exciting competition," Mr Carpenter said.
"The students - Harly Anderson, Daniel Hermens, Sean Pulham and Kieran Richards - are to be congratulated for making it all the way through the four weeks of the competition to be here and win today."
Mr Carpenter also congratulated the other teams in the finals: Booragoon Blue, Collier Stars, Duncraig Blue, Duncraig Burgundy, Forrestdale Frogs, Mt Tarcoola Batavia Bats, Mt Tarcoola Jalem of Geraldton, North Morley Blue, North Woodvale Number Masters, Orana Dividers and the Orana Multipliers (from Orana Catholic Primary School), some of whom won separate game sections within the NUMERO Challenge.
Since its inception in 1998, the number of schools competing in the Sons of Gwalia Inter-School NUMERO Challenge has doubled.
"This year it was necessary to include three divisions, each comprising 18 teams of four, in order to accommodate all the entries," the Minister said.
"I would like to thank Sons of Gwalia Ltd for once again donating the prize money which this year increased from $1,000 to $1,275."
The competition consists of four sections, with individual and team problem-solving components, including the favourite event, the 'scramble', where students work as a team, deciding their best solution and then making the moves, in relay style, on boards at the front of the classroom.
Both mathematics understandings and speed are equally important.
Reverend Drysdale has given full ownership of NUMERO, which was first marketed in 1994, to the Alzheimer's Association.
In its eight-and-a-half years, the game has spread to primary and secondary schools not only in WA, but across Australia and internationally, including the UK, Japan and the USA.
"In WA there are weekly NUMERO competitions in The West Australian newspaper, with numbers of entries continually increasing - this year passing the 900 mark for a weekly challenge," Mr Carpenter said.
"Teachers praise the interest it develops in students, from kindergarten onwards, as well as in gifted and talented and remedial groups.
"The game is an exciting one that promotes mathematical outcomes and helps to 'turn kids on' to mathematics.
"The game is a great WA success story and it's fabulous that its success benefits the Alzheimer's Association.
"Last year, implementation of the State Government's Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Strategy was commenced in Government schools.
"I am pleased to report that the strategy is working well and having a major impact on improving the numeracy skills of WA students.
"Games such as NUMERO can further help in assisting students to practise their numeracy skills."
Minister's office: 9213 6800
