News Archive

Over 400 students from 23 schools participated in the annual Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad (WAJO) at The University of Western Australia on 29 October.

With no help from calculators, students from Years 7, 8 and 9 solved mathematical problems individually and in teams to win prizes over $3500.

Associate Professor Michael Giudici, new chair of WAJO, was delighted that students from Bunbury and Karratha also took part in satellite competitions for the second year in a row with encouraging numbers. “It’s just as rewarding for the organisers as it is for the students that regional schools also have the opportunity to participate without having to make the trip to Perth.” Both regional areas will be included in the event again next year.

Guest of honour, Honourable Dr John Henstridge, Data Analysis Australia, addressed the students at the Prize Ceremony. The Jack Bana Award for Excellence for the most outstanding Year 9 team was awarded to All Saints College (Shevanka Dias, Zoe Polglase, Aidan Smith, Bartholomew Tang). The School of Mathematics and Statistics (UWA) Award for Mathematical Excellence went to Christ Church Year 9 student Jonathan Chew (Christ Church Grammar School). Sithum Somarathna (Perth Modern School) won the Cheryl Praeger Prize for Excellence for the most outstanding Year 7 student and William Steinberg (Scotch College) was the most outstanding Year 8 student and overall winner, achieving a perfect score.

The Phill Schultz Prize for the high school student who has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in Mathematics Challenge activities throughout the year went to William Hu (Year 10 of Christchurch Grammar School) and a Western Australian Mathematics Olympiads Committee (WAMOC) Special Award went to Isabel Longbottom (Year 11 of Rossmoyne Senior High School). Both students have been invited to the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee School of Excellence in December.

Other WAJO prize sponsors included the Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, Data Analysis Australia, the Mathematical Association of WA and the New Edition Bookshop.

View the full list of prizes and awards.
Test your own maths ability with the questions and solutions from this year’s event.

Media references

Melissa Sieradzki (UWA Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics) (+61 8) 6488 7886