Café Maths is always a termly highlight for the Maths department and this time proved to be another great success. A large classroom was filled with curious minds as students from Upper IV to Lower VI delivered engaging presentations on a wide array of topics. These included the Mathematics to consider when bottle flipping, the constant e, different types of infinity, and the well-known Monty Hall problem. Each speaker presented with confidence and enthusiasm, bringing their subject matter to life and sparking thought-provoking discussions among the audience.
Shortly after, Margaret and Candy in Upper III led assemblies in celebration of World Maths Day, ably assisted in the wings by Prachi and Navya in Upper VI. They shared intriguing facts about the history of mathematics and offered a fun, interactive segment in which the audience used parts of their bodies as units of measure – such as noting that twice the width of four fingers equals the length of your hand. It was a pleasure to see the history, development and enduring significance of mathematics presented in such a thoughtful and engaging way.
Building on the success of last term’s Intermediate Maths Challenge, eight students were invited to sit the Pink and Grey Kangaroo follow-on papers. Their outstanding performances resulted in four Silver and two Bronze certificates – a remarkable achievement given the high level of difficulty. These results are a testament to the dedication and mathematical aptitude of students in Upper IV, Lower and Upper V.
Next in the calendar was the much-anticipated trip to Bletchley Park, which is detailed in another Gateway report and timely placed before the 80th Anniversary celebrations of VE day. Suffice it to say, the visit was inspiring, and plans are already underway for an even more enriching experience next year.
Most recently, the Junior Maths Challenge took place last Thursday, with students form four groups in Upper III and Lower IV. For many, this was their first experience of a UKMT challenge, offering a stimulating introduction to the kind of problem solving, logical thinking and applied mathematics that make the subject so enjoyable. We now await the results with great anticipation and hope to see strong representation in the Junior Kangaroo round this June.
