to 2011, I helped introduce Google Drive and the use of Google Docs to both students and teachers – paving the way for both digital learning and citizenship. It has been a busy nine years and I can safely say the library has contributed to boys’ learning. As always, I like my final word to go to Assistant Librarian Lyn Feterika. Lyn tirelessly runs the front desk and the Library Management System. She also runs my diary, keeping me where I am meant to be. There is not much that goes on in the library that Lyn has not helped to implement. I would like to formally thank her for all her help and dedication to all things “library”. This year I would like to end with a quote from historian and travel writer Jan Morris (1926–2020): “Book lovers will understand me, and they will know too that part of the pleasure of a library lies in its very existence.”
Students eagerly anticipated the many mathematics competitions, which would see them compete locally, nationally and internationally – however, due to Covid-19, many competitions were cancelled at the last minute.
there were a number of teams who tied. They then moved into a second round, which was an individual problem-solving competition. The students chosen for the College Cantamath teams were: James Burt, Oscar Compton-Moen, Callum Fox, George Grace, Jake Hayes, Brandon Lee, Benjamin Murphy and Nicholas Sharr, with Rahal Pathirana and Raziel Zhao as reserves. Congratulations to these boys for being selected. Unfortunately, the competition was cancelled due to the extension of alert level 2 restrictions in September – however, we look forward to participating in the competition in 2021.
Australian Mathematics Competition The Australian Mathematics
Competition is an annual fixture involving students from more than 30 countries. It is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives. High Distinction is awarded to students whose results place them in the top 3% of results in the country. In 2020 this was awarded to Year 9 student Nicholas Sharr and Year 10 student Sean Jang. The following students gained Distinction awards, recognising their responses in the top 20% of results: Year 9 Oscar Compton-Moen, Callum Fox Sam Hales, Jake Hayes, Tom Hodges, Robert Kidd, Lester Lai, Benjamin Murphy, Angus Whitteker, Raziel Zhao, Seann Zhao Year 10 James Drury, Oliver Glossop, Colin Gong, Luke Kim, Alex McEwan, Jack McKeown, Lachie Short Year 11 Bruce Chen, Harry Sharr, Thimeth Wijesinghe Year 12 Jack Belcher, James Currie, Hanson Xie
Aurecon Bridge Building Competition The Aurecon Bridge Building
Competition is held each year in a variety of locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, with junior students constructing balsa wood bridges designed to an exacting set of specifications. Year 9 students were just starting to think about their designs, when the competition was cancelled for 2020.
Lisa Trundley-Banks Teacher–Librarian
MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS Staffing Matters
University of Otago Junior Mathematics Competition
At the beginning of the year teachers Amanda Lester and Dr Neil de Joux joined the Mathematics department, proving themselves to be valuable additions to the team. We farewelled Mathematics tutor Jenny Dingwall, who flew home to England just hours before the nationwide lockdown was announced. Mathematics Competitions The study of mathematics and statistics satisfies a wide range of interests and abilities. Participation in mathematics competitions involves mathematical problem solving in unfamiliar contexts, and rewards students for pattern recognition and confidence in a range of problem-solving skills. The aim of such competitions is to stimulate and encourage students to enjoy the challenge of maths and become creative problem solvers.
The Otago junior maths competition is an annual event for students in Years 9–11, attracting around 10,000 entries from about 250 participating schools each year. It takes place on the same day at schools throughout the country, on a date late in March or early in April. We look forward to further engagement in the Aurecon Bridge Building and Otago Junior Mathematics competitions in coming years. Samantha Squire HoD Mathematics and Statistics
Cantamath In anticipation of the delayed
Cantamath competition, a number of our Year 9 students competed against one another in a school competition held in the Chapman Room. This was to determine who would represent College at Cantamath. It was exciting to see their engagement and problem-solving skills in action, and our Year 12 and 13 volunteer markers cheered their teams on. In the end,
48
Christ’s College Canterbury
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs