The DevonporT FlagsTaFF page 34
July 1, 2016
Takapuna
Grammar
SCHOOL NEWS
JULY 1, 2016
Maths: surprisingly fun sounds in two of the lecture halls at the University of Auckland, where the two-hourlong Auckland maths Olympiad was held. “Takapuna Grammar School sent a strong group of young mathematicians and they did really well with satisfying results overall, even though there was no prior preparation for this contest,” said Mr. Viet Hoang, the teacher in charge of our Olympiad team. “I am thinking about organising specific maths seminars in term 3 this year for interested students, so that they can be well equipped for upcoming competitions next year,” said Mr. Hoang. This competition not only tested One hundred and fifty maths enthusiasts mathematical knowledge, but logic and Sebastian Safka placed seventh in the junior division, Alan Gu placed seventh in the gathered from around Auckland to test problem solving techniques as well. “It was senior division and Simon Goodwin tied with their wits, logic and mathematical ability on surprisingly interesting and fun for maths,” two others for second place at the recent a Saturday morning. Pens clicking, students says Simon Goodwin. writing and markers running were the only Maths Olympiad. BY AOKE JIANG
Being inspired by women leaders Thirty female student leaders recently represented TGS at ‘The Third Wave’, a full-day conference run by GirlBoss NZ that featured some of New Zealand’s most influential women. GirlBoss NZ is an organisation that aims to provide practical advice and inspiration for young women with an interest in business, leadership, gender politics and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). It has been set up by youth for youth, with the aim of encouraging the next generation of young women to embrace their skills and potential. “GirlBoss was founded with one key mission in mind – to inspire, empower and equip New Zealand girls to become the change-makers of the future,” says founder, Alexia Hilbertidou, an Albany Senior High School student. Held at the AUT City Campus, the conference included keynote speakers Labour Party MP Jacinda Ardern and Theresa Gattung, co-founder of My Food Bag. They focused on issues such as pay equity, the lack of women in executive/leadership
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positions and the need to engage young women in STEAM. Multiple workshops were held by high-profile female leaders including Sharndre Kushor, co-founder of Crimson Consulting, Annemarie Browne, vice president of marketing for Orion Health, Anna Curzon, managing director of Xero NZ, and Frances Valentine, founder of Mindlab. These women provided invaluable advice and inspiration for all participants. The day ended with an engaging panel discussion. “I learnt a lot about the
backstory of these inspirational women and how they managed to get to where they are today,” said one participant. A GirlBoss POD is launching at TGS that will aim to connect like-minded youth to chase their passions and create change in the community. This initiative will be run by Mrs Johnson, head of the Centre for Business and Enterprise at TGS, and Year 12 students Liberty Soanes, Poppy Ross, Emilly Fan and Katherine Jacobs. BY EMILLY FAN
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