National Competitions The Faculty of Mathematics, ICT & Computer Science

Thepast year has seen the Faculty sustain its outstanding contributions to the academic plus co-curricular aspects of school life. New teaching resources have been embedded within the curriculum whilst there have continued to be developments in the extracurricular clubs and competitions on offer. These have enabled Olavian students to develop their problemsolving, logic, communication and team-working skills in a variety of ways culminating in impressive results in external plus internal examinations as well as enabling a significant proportion of our Year 13 students to embark upon mathematics or mathematics-related degrees at university.

Around 80% of Year 13 students completed the A2 Mathematics course with almost half of these also undertaking the A2 Further Mathematics course. Over the past five years there has been an average of around sixty-five students completing the double mathematics course meaning that nationally St Olave’s has had the highest absolute number plus proportion of students undertaking this demanding course. In terms of examination results, despite the new system with all units being sat in the summer, over 80% of entries were graded at A* or A and a record proportion achieved the highest grade in A2 Further Mathematics. It was also encouraging to observe the significant decrease in the proportion of lower grades.

In Year 12 there was another huge cohort of 158 mathematicians with a significant majority completing the double mathematics option and hence have achieved AS Levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Overall, the year achieved very commendable results. The results in AS Mathematics were very similar to previous years with around three quarters achieving the highest grade. For Further Mathematics AS, whilst a good majority achieved the top grade, the demands of undertaking all six units in the summer meant that a few more students than usual struggled to assimilate all the topics.

Our Year 11 students had the daunting task of following in the footsteps of last year’s outstanding first set of IGCSE results. It is pleasing to report that they responded positively to the challenge, achieving a new record 87% A* grades and many students achieving close to full marks in one or both of the papers. The top two sets sat the Free Standing Unit in Additional Mathematics, an excellent extension qualification in preparation for sixth form studies of the subject. The results were very encouraging with a record number achieving the top grade.

Students in Years 7 to 10 have continued to demonstrate their considerable ability plus enthusiasm for the subject through impressive end-of-year assessment results plus involvement in clubs, mathematics activity days, national mathematics challenges plus team competitions, attendance of mathematics clinics, involvement in the buddy system and preparations for Olympiads.

The department has continued its intense involvement in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s Junior, Intermediate and Senior Challenges with all Olavian students having at least two opportunities to sit each Challenge. As ever, huge numbers of students achieved certificates placing them well within the top half of the selective cohort sitting the papers. In addition, significant numbers go on to the follow-on rounds of the Olympiads plus Kangaroos. In view of the confirmed desire to introduce a greater problem-solving element to public examinations, this involvement should ensure that Olavians have been given additional opportunities to develop this aspect of the subject.

Computing has continued to go from strength to strength under Dr Onifade’s leadership. A record eighteen students completed the AS Computing course with pleasing results. An encouraging number of these students have embarked upon the challenging A2 Computing course. In addition, the subject has continued to develop in Years 9 to 11 with each year now consisting of two groups undertaking the GCSE course. The Year 11 GCSE results were encouraging. The Key Stage 3 course with its greater emphasis on computing skills has been well received and should lay firm foundations for further developments over the coming years.

At the end of the year the Faculty bade farewell to two members of staff with contrasting lengths of service within the Mathematics department. Mr Tom Henley has been an integral part of the Mathematics department for twenty-seven years making significant contributions to sixth form provision, including STEP classes plus preparing students for university courses, as well as being regarded with much fondness by students for his sharp wit. We wish him an extremely full and enjoyable retirement. Mr Andrew Gyford moved on to teach in Beijing after three years at St Olave’s during which his creativity and willingness to assist in myriad aspects of department and school life have been appreciated by colleagues and students alike.

In September the Faculty welcomes two new members of staff, namely Mr Ryan Palmer who will teach Mathematics throughout the school plus Mrs Sujatha Paul who will teach Computing plus assist within the PLASMA-T project. In addition, Mr James Davis will take over as Head of the Faculty and Mrs Polly Padmore will become second in charge of the Faculty. Finally, Mr Timothy McCurrach takes over responsibility for Key Stage 3. This team will seek to sustain and develop the successes of the Faculty over the coming year.

As I reflect upon the past year, I continue to marvel at the determination of Olavian students to push themselves academically whilst seeking to broaden their mathematical horizons. It has been a privilege to oversee this for the past two years and I look forward to another year of exciting developments.

Neil Maltman Head of Mathematics

NatioNal CompetitioNs

Senior Mathematical Challenge

On Thursday 7th November, the Senior Mathematical Challenge was undertaken by all students in Years 12 and 13 studying Mathematics plus the top two sets from Year 11. This year’s paper proved to be slightly more straightforward than last year’s and, as ever, our students responded positively to the twenty-five challenging problems.

The 353 Olavian entrants managed to achieve a record 281 certificates (37 gold, 116 silver and 128 bronze) representing an outstanding 80% of entrants, eclipsing our record of last year. Special mention should be made of Alistair Haig (12W) who achieved the best in school with a score of 107 plus Oscar Wilkins (13G) and Tom Wang (11N) who achieved best-in-year results.

Six students from Years 12 and 13 qualified for the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad and an encouraging twenty-three qualified for the Senior Kangaroo Mathematics follow on round. All these results continue to reflect the excellent problem-solving abilities possessed by many senior Olavians.

British Mathematical Olympiad

Olavians performed well in the follow-on rounds to the Senior Mathematical Challenge. In the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 several of our eight entrants achieved creditable results, the most noteworthy were Kush Banga (12X) achieving a certificate of distinction and Alexander Song (8C) being awarded an amazing result of a bronze medal as a result of four faultless solutions – a truly remarkable achievement as the Olympiad is designed for sixth form students! Following this stratospheric result Alexander sat the round 2 paper and managed to solve one of the four problems designed for top Year 13 students. In the light of this plus other remarkable results during the year Alex was invited to be the youngest student attending a summer Mathematics Olympiad training camp in Oxford.

Senior Kangaroo

In the European Kangaroo competition, Charlotte Kingdom, Tomas Dean, Luke Richards, Nigel D’Souza and William Edmonds achieved a certificate of distinction and in so doing demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills under considerable time pressure.

Intermediate Mathematical Challenge

In the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, students from Years 9 to 11 achieved an impressive 77 gold, 100 silver and 68 bronze certificates. A near-record 59 students were invited to take part in follow-on rounds of the Intermediate Olympiad and Kangaroo papers. Special congratulations to Tom Wang (11N), Richard Moulange (10J) and Henry Miller (9B) who achieved best-in-year results.

Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad and Kangaroo Competitions

Thirteen Olavian students from Years 9 to 11 qualified for the Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad. Virtually all managed to solve two or three of the six demanding and unusual problems. Congratulations go to Tom Wang (11N) for his achievement of certificate of distinction and Alec Hong (9L) for being awarded a medal plus book prize placing him in the top fifty in the country.

An incredible further forty-one students sat the slightly less daunting Kangaroo Mathematics competition, achieving some of our best results ever. Sixteen students achieved certificates of merit placing them in the top twenty-five percent of this select cohort. The best-inyear results were achieved by Ishaan Oza (9H), Tomas Gallagher (10K) and Nicholas Wright (11N).

Junior Mathematical Challenge

Congratulations also go to Years 7 and 8 students upon their very impressive results in this year’s Junior Mathematical Challenge. The 232 Olavian entries achieved an amazing 101 gold, 69 silver and 42 bronze certificates, breaking several records for the school. Thirteen students, the highest number in nearly a decade, qualified for the Junior Mathematical Olympiad in June, placing them in around the top thousand entries nationally. Special mention must go to Alexander Song (8C), who solved all twenty-five problems successfully, plus Ian Rodrigues (7L) who achieved the best-in-year results.

UKMT Team Mathematics Challenge Regional Final

On Wednesday 6th March St Olave’s hosted a regional round of the UKMT Mathematics Team Challenge for thirty-six teams of four students from Years 8 and 9. The day consisted of four rounds of mathematical problem-solving involving a crossnumber, head-tohead challenges plus a final fast and furious relay. The St Olave’s A team of Daniel Maghsoudi, Henry Miller, Hai Duong and Alex Song were in the lead at the half way stage with two faultless rounds, but faltered in the afternoon to be pipped by a point by Eltham. The B team of Alec Hong, Christopher Rajendram, Swastik Gupta and Mehar Bijral came a very creditable fourth.

Junior Mathematical Olympiad

A near record thirteen Years 7 and 8 Olavians qualified for the prestigious Junior Mathematical Olympiad. All the students managed to solve at least one of the six demanding problems, but special congratulations must go to Samuel Mellis (8C) who was awarded a bronze medal and Alexander Song (8C) who completed an amazing year on Mathematical achievement with a gold medal.

UKMT Senior Team Challenge

On Wednesday 27th November Ebi Akhilomen and Oscar Wilkins of Year 13 and Alistair Haig and Elena Rastorgueva of Year 12 visited Ravenswood School to represent St Olave’s in the regional heats of the UKMT Senior Maths Team Challenge. After the first round they had a perfect score and were feeling confident. However, a particularly difficult crossnumber (a numerical crossword) left the team a little shaken. A strong effort in the final round improved our chances, but was sadly not enough with St Olave’s falling just short of the medal positions. However the students had a thoroughly enjoyable day and can be proud of their performance against some very tough opposition!

SiMPLEX Mathematical Modelling Competition

Following a lesson on mathematical modelling looking at the behaviour of penguins, two teams of five year 9 students were invited to a competition at the Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology (CoMPLEX) at University College London. Upon arrival students were presented with documentary footage on the perilous journey faced by new born turtles on their way to the sea, before being asked to come up with their own questions about survival strategies. Students were then given materials to develop their own game to model the situation and answer their questions. After lunch students trialed their games and reflected upon the efficacy of their models before presenting their findings to the other groups. Both groups presented well with the competition organisers particularly impressed by the groups’ analyses of their models. The winning team of Leo Bennett, Alec Hong, Eugene Lee, Nicholas Leigh and James Tang are to be congratulated upon winning this inaugural round of this competition.

other ActivitieS And clubS

Oxbridge Mathematics Symposium

For the second year running, the department was pleased to welcome back Old Olavians Luke Abraham and Kit Harris (2004 – 11) studying at Cambridge and Oxford respectively to lead an Oxbridge Mathematics Symposium. As well as providing useful insights into the application and interview process at their respective universities, they shared interesting vignettes of subject areas of interest to them plus answered various questions from Olavian students.

Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses

The department funded five Year 9 Olavians to attend the seven Saturday morning Mathematics Masterclasses held at Bromley High School. Through a series of lectures and exercises the students learnt about many enrichment topics covering such as advanced trigonometry and the importance of maths in navigation. Favourite student topics involved extended use of calculators and algorithms, but all the sessions served to broaden students’ mathematical horizons.

Maths in Motion Club

The Jaguar Car “Maths in Motion Club” has continued to offer Key Stage 3 students opportunities to use their arithmetic and mathematical skills to design and refine racing cars to take account of the different racing tracks and weather conditions thrown at them by Peter Leigh, our long-serving co-ordinator of this club who has taken his final bow in this role after many years of faithful and much appreciated service.

Jaguar Maths in Motion Challenge National Final

Having beaten over 1000 other competitors, for the second year running Abhay Gupta and Eddie Ho of 8H, won a place to represent St. Olave’s at the final of the Jaguar Maths in motion competition. Faced with the task of designing a car, and then racing it in a simulation against other schools, there would be much careful calculation required if they were to succeed. During the initial design phase, the Olave’s car was positioned at 5th place on the grid (out of 30), but some last minute alterations and practice laps by some of the competitors left them finally starting in 12th position. Although the car was well designed, the weather conditions were against them and their choice of tyres made cornering in the rain difficult. After 72 laps of the Brands Hatch course, their car finished in a respectable 18th place.

Years 8 and 9 Mathematics Activity Days

Prior to undertaking their end-of-year assessments, Year 8 students engaged in a wide variety of mathematical team activities. After a hundred minutes of hectic solving of problems plus sudokus as well as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Challenge, a team from 8C emerged victorious with a record total score, whilst 8H won the form competition.

As part of Activity Week 2, Year 9 undertook a variety of mathematical activities for a morning consisting of a team competition as well as designing racing cars on computers in pairs to race around a virtual Formula 1 circuit. In the team competition, 9L were the clear victors whilst the car races were fast and furious with high levels of vocal support throughout!

Year 5 Mathematics Activity Day

As part of the PLASMA-T initiative, St Olave’s hosted over two hundred Year 5 students from seven local primary schools for a day of mathematical and scientific activities. The Year 12 Mathematics prefects ran a variety of events including a tiring orienteering problem solving to a carousel of mini-activities including the leaping frog problem, sudokus, tangrams and a polygon memory game. There was a real buzz of excitement as the pupils tried to conquer the problems set and many a cheer when they did so!

Post A Level Mathematics

Several Year 13 students are preparing to take university entrance examinations in mathematics. Here is a taste of the sort of questions they have to tackle.

Entrants for the STEP examinations have been solving questions such as:

Find: [Clue: consider u=1/x]

The MAT examination contains multiple choice questions such as:

Which is the smallest? [No calculators allowed]

Those applying to study computer science have to answer logic questions such as:

Alf, Beth and Gemma sit in the same room. One of them always tells the truth, one always tells a lie and the other tells the truth or lies at random. Suppose Alf says “Beth is the one who behaves randomly”, and Gemma says “Alf always lies”. Then Beth says “You have heard enough to determine who always tells the truth”. Who always tells the truth? Who always lies?

We hope that you enjoy having a go at these too.

Science