FIVE Penzance boys excelled at the recent CMaths Regional Abacus maths competition.
They were presented with their certificates at the final term assembly at Penzance by principal, Colin Madgin. Mr Madgin congratulated the boys on their outstanding achievements and said that they were a credit to the school and the Penzance family
CMATHS is an acronym for Calculation Mental Arithmetic Tuition with the help of Soroban. The aim is to improve the mathematical abilities of young children in South Africa by using this Japanese method of teaching. The abacus is the oldest computer in the world, having been around for more than 2000 years.
Using the abacus is a skill that is learnt to develop mental maths skills and at the same time it is a powerful brain development tool which helps the child's ability to memorise, concentrate, speed read and listen and process information.It improves gross and fine motor movement and most importantly creates a love for maths.
Lloyd Milligan, Grade 5, wrote six Pan Pacific Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association (PAMA) D papers and received a Champions Trophy.
Braedon Behari, Grade 1, wrote SKE and was awarded a silver medal. Jesse Buys, Grade 4, wrote six PAMA C papers and received a silver medal and
Andrew Fryer, Grade 6, wrote 6 PAMA D papers and received a silver medal.
All five boys were selected to be part of the South African team to compete against teams from all over the world, in the 15th PAMA Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competion which was to be on 30 December at the Sandton Covention centre in Johannesburg.
Countries participating include USA, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Canada, Thailand, Korea, Singapore Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Unfortunately the competition in South Africa has had to be postponed until 2015 due to the Ebola scare in Africa.
