Local pupils have the winning equations

THREE Highway pupils made up the team of nine children from the Abagility Maths Club who competed in the Annual Global Association of Japanese Soroban and Mental Arithmetic (GAJSMA) International Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Championship in October in Singapore.

They proudly represented South Africa through the Abacus Maths Soroban Association of South Africa (AMSASA). The South African children qualified at the AMSASA National Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Championship last year in Gauteng. There were a total of 29 South African children who travelled to Singapore to take part in the championship, and there were about 120 children who competed in the event. The other countries that were represented were Australia, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Thailand.

Each child had six minutes to write an exam using their abacus to do the calculations, and a second exam in which they were given two minutes to do mental maths calculations. These children showed extreme dedication and commitment as they practised daily and their hard work paid off.

Daniele Hauptfleisch from Winston Park Primary School was awarded the coveted Super Champion Trophy for winning in her level and age group.

Dylan Jewitt from Winston Park Primary School received the Champion Trophy for being placed second in his level and age group and Duran Padayachee from Kloof Senior Primary School was awarded gold for being placed third in his level and age group.

Both Dylan and Daniele were the only two South African children who were given the opportunity to demonstrate their incredible mental maths skills on stage, and both were awarded a special trophy for their achievements. They both aimed to complete 10 sums mentally in only one minute. Daniele demonstrated sums of four digits divided by two digits and Dylan demonstrated sums of two digits multiplied by two digits.