A group of seven young mathematicians have excelled in the Newcastle University 2022 Maths Challenge, coming away with a haul of seven awards.
The students, from Richmond School & Sixth Form College, were tasked with a series of gruelling challenges where they encountered various mathematical problems that they had to both solve and write up in a clear and comprehensive manner.
Many schools across the North East took part and only the strongest entries were sent to Newcastle University for consideration. From 851 submissions, 43 were selected to be awarded a prize and 48 received a certificate. The Richmond School students excelled, gaining seven awards – two certificates and five prizes, resulting in Richmond School being one of the highest-performing schools in the competition.
The students who were invited to Newcastle University to receive their awards were Year 7 students Grace Broderick, Mia Brooks-Skingle and Isla Jenkinson, Catherine Harrison in Year 8 and Year 10 students Tom Grigg, Philippa Kind and Andrew Lunn.
Scott Lunn, Lead Teacher for Maths, said: “We are really proud of the outstanding results of our students who not only enjoyed the competitive nature of the challenge but proved themselves to be among the best mathematicians in the North East.
“We have entered the Newcastle University Maths Challenge for a number of years and really value this event. It encourages mathematical reasoning and precision of thought to solve interesting problems with questions that are designed to stretch the students and make them think. Competitions such as this one by Newcastle University, enable our students to apply their maths skills and it’s wonderful to see so many of them keen to take part. Our students were thrilled to be invited to Newcastle University for the awards’ presentation and their success shows a genuine talent in solving challenging problems.”
All types of schools are invited to take part the challenge which encourages problem-solving in a positive way to develop confidence and a greater interest in maths, partnering schools across the whole of the North East.
Philippa Kind, Year 10 students, said: “The Maths Challenge was very entertaining and testing! I thoroughly enjoyed completing this challenge and was thrilled to receive a certificate. It tested my patience and knowledge and I am looking forward to future challenges!