A grim windswept morning saw 20 eager but nervous students congregate at BVIS for the bus to Concordia School.
A grim windswept morning saw 20 eager but nervous students congregate at BVIS for the bus to Concordia School.
This was the location for this year’s Hanoi Maths Olympiad. We entered four teams, two each for both Key Stage 3 and 4. The students were keen to get stuck in to the challenges but also a little nervous as they sized up their opposition. Each Key Stage group would compete in five different activities spread over the morning. Amongst the events were speed rounds, Maths relay and ‘Mathketball’, a strange hybrid between Maths and basketball. The most visually impressive was a construction round, where teams were allocated differing construction material in exchange for correct answers submitted. Some of the resulting constructions were ambitious to say the least.
The matchups were fierce. The air was electric with the static of competition. What was particularly pleasing was the performance in the Maths relay of our KS4 teams. They dominated an event which was based on problem solving. Teachers from other schools commented that the questions were too difficult.
In the end we came 3rd and 4th in KS4 and 2nd in the overall school competition. Whilst this is a huge improvement on last year’s 8th position, a close inspection of results showed that with a little more focus and tactical nous in the last round, we would have finished first.
Our pupils were at all times well-behaved and courteous, as we expect here at BVIS. A thoroughly enjoyable day for all! I was very proud to be involved with our intrepid Mathletes on Saturday.
A special thank you from the students to Mr ODonnell, for organizing our participation in the event.
Mr Jonathan Leak - Maths Teacher
