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Issue 51 – October 2014 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
Maths is on Top!
M
athswell is a team competition
where girls compete against
other schools to solve problems.
It is also an aspect of the Colleges’ Learning
Enrichment and Acceleration Programme
(LEAP). Each team is made up of six
girls, however the whole class prepares
for the competition, giving all students
an opportunity to extend their learning.
The Maths Department has also been
running regular Otago University Problem
Challenges for Year 7 and 8 classes.
Paul Sherris, Head of Maths explains,
“These opportunities encourage students to
use problem-solving
abilities rather than
the skills required for
a typical exercise in
class.”
The
Maths
Department
also
runs a Mathematics
Club twice a week,
one during lunch and
one after school. Paul
explains, “It is for
everyone to enhance
and improve their
Mathematics. Whether
they need to catch up
This term, five College teams participated in Math-
swell competitions around Wellington and success-
fully gained a 3rd, 5th and 6th place. The Year 5/6
Mathswell team, Rachel Zhou, Angelina Del Favero,
Harriet Smith, Charlotte Gee, Emily Brown and Ella
Briggs, competed against 35 other schools to achieve
their stunning 3rd place.
with any class work or homework, get help
from a teacher if they are struggling or just
do some additional mathematics for fun.”
Maths enrichment is not confined to
Middle and Senior School, it is an on-going
focus in the Junior School.
Kathleen MacDonnell explains, “We
continually look for ways to offer authentic
learning experiences while delivering a
rigorous programme.”
Early in Term 3 the Junior School
experienced the ‘World of Maths’
programme. The activities proved to
be engaging and challenging, with the
school Atrium filled with buzzing mini-
mathematicians. This was coupled with a
Junior School Maths Club run throughout
Term 2 and 3. The purpose of the club
was to promote independent mathematics
investigation. As part of this, students
were mentored through the Mathematics
Achievement Challenge which resulted in
many students gaining Maths Badges.
The Technology Challenge Returns
For over 20 years New Zealand students have enjoyed participating in the BP Technology
Challenge which requires them to work as a team using simple materials to solve problems.
I
n 2013 the competition was officially disbanded. The Head
of Junior School, Kathleen McDonnell decided to keep the
concept going.
Hosting the competition on a small scale in the College’s Hobson
Complex, a handful of schools were invited to participate. The
College was thrilled with the participation and success of the day.
Kathleen is now looking to expand on this event in 2015 by inviting
more schools from the Wellington Region. Results below:
Year 3-4
1st
QMC
2nd Wellesley
3rd Scots College
Year 5-6
1st
St Marks
2nd Scots College
3rd St Marks
