NORTHDENE Preparatory School won the Maths and Science Olympiad, triumphing over 85 Quintile one to five schools in the greater Durban area.
Pupils took part in either the Mathematics Olympiad for primary schools or the EcoQuiz for secondary schools. The sixth annual Future Wise inter-schools competition was held at Ritson Hall at Durban University of Technology and hosted by the KZN Department of Education together with Lions International, a community based non-profit organisation and AMESA (The Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa).
Northdene Preparatory School had two teams representing it. Team one was Kailen Govender and Preyasi Kisten and Kyra Naidoo and John Lategan were in team two. In all three rounds, the school fared exceptionally well making it to the top three. In the final round, which was an oral quiz, one of the teams won with the highest number of correctly answered questions.
Teacher at the school, Rodney Naidoo, said his pupils did him proud. “Participation was absolutely fantastic. This was only our second year participating in the competition and our learners showed dedication throughout. We held extra classes in the afternoon to help us prepare and when the competition came, our kids showed their true worth,” he said.
Guest speaker, speaker for eTthekwini Municipality, cllr Logie Naidoo, emphasised the importance of supporting Mathematics and Science at school level in addressing the skills shortage in these critical areas. He reiterated eThekwini’s support of this initiative and applauded the volunteers and sponsors who came together to support the pupils. Naidoo’s message was that all pupils have the potential to succeed despite their circumstances and events such as the Future Wise competition give them opportunities to succeed.
After several rounds of grueling questions, Northdene Preparatory won the Mathematics Olympiad while Permary Ridge Primary, Hillcrest Primary and Curro Christian Academy took second, third and fourth places respectively. Triumphant pupils won trophies, medals, scientific calculators, books, USBs, stationery, gift vouchers and bags. Teachers from winning schools received study guides, a microscope, electricity kits, life science models, Mathematics manipulatives and vouchers to purchase science equipment as well as optics and chemistry kits. Albemarle, the competition’s annual major sponsor remains committed to developing young minds for a brighter future. Albemarle was joined by a host of other sponsors, including the Durban University of Technology and the Department of Education in ensuring that both learners and schools were supported and aptly rewarded.
The Mathematics Olympiad administered by AMESA focused on problem solving for grade 7s while the EcoQuiz for Grade 8 to 12s is centered around sustainable living and caring for the environment was administered by WESSA (Wildlife Education Society of South Africa). “Educating the youth in both these areas is crucial for holistic development in the foundation years. The next generation, more than ever, have to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and most importantly responsible citizens”, said the president of East Coast Lions, Rajan Naidoo.
