Maths Mentor program extends to Junior School

Abigail Alvarez and Professor Cheryl Praeger

Penrhos is excited to announce the amalgamation of the Maths Mentor program across Junior and Secondary Schools, to create a significant point of difference in the Penrhos Maths learning experience.

Referring to the program formerly known as Maths Extension in Junior School, Maths Mentor Coordinator Peter Chandler says “by building on the good work established in Junior School and opening up the Maths Mentor program across the whole College, we can offer more opportunities to those younger students who are excelling in Maths — including the chance to make the team for the annual World Mathematics Team Championship.” Junior School Learning Extension teacher Corinne Hollingsworth believes our younger mathematicians will revel in the student comradery offered by both our Uni and Student Maths Mentors; she says “by building relationships with likeminded students, so too will the girls’ confidence grow in a subject they are passionate about.” Students from our Junior School have achieved some outstanding maths results this year; one of the highlights was our Year 5 and 6 team placing third in the state-wide Have Sum Fun Competition in October, against some very tough opposition — the second year in which we have placed in the top three schools in WA. In the 2020 national Australian Mathematics Competition, Year 6 student Abigail Alvarez was recognised as one of the top students in Australia. She was presented with her medal at the 2020 MathsNight@Penrhos by Professor Cheryl Praeger, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Western Australia and holder of the 2019 Prime Minister’s Award for Science. Professor Praeger is one of the most well-known mathematicians in WA and all our Maths Mentor students were inspired by her story.

“Being introduced to the Maths Mentor program in Term 3 allowed me to participate in so many different competitions,” said Abigail. “The Australian Maths Competition and the Australian Maths Challenge were just a couple of the highlights of the year — we also participated in the World Mathematics Team Championships, where the questions challenged us to use our problem-solving skills and our critical thinking abilities, while collaborating with other students all over

the world.” In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Praeger encouraged our students to pursue those STEM careers that will be essential for the future. “Australia needs the best creative problem solvers and critical thinkers, who are passionate about seeing a better world,” she told the room as part of her captivating MathsNight speech.

As we continue a trajectory which takes us from strength to strength, we are also proud to welcome Tim Birrell as our new Head of Department. Previously Head of Maths at Rossmoyne Senior High School, Tim believes students successfully respond to challenges when they are surrounded by positive and passionate peers, mentors and teachers. He is a strong supporter of the Maths Mentor program and is enthusiastic about its extension into Junior School, saying the guidance and friendships of older Maths Student Mentors will help prepare Junior School girls for their important transition into Secondary School.

Junior School students crunching numbers 2020 Have Sum Fun Mathematics competition