Master Mathematicians Battle it out at Maths Masterclass
Colfe’s welcomed talented Year 5 mathematicians from several local primary schools to join some of our own junior school pupils in the Year 5 Maths Masterclass run by the senior school.
Twenty-eight pupils in total took part in the event, enjoying a morning of mathematical games and problem solving. After some warm-up activities to fire up the neurons, the students began the first task using lateral thinking to solve matchstick and counter problems.
The main challenge of the day followed, as they worked in teams to complete four quick-fire rounds, involving tackling challenging questions, playing maths games on computers, applying maths to real-life problems and completing a maths relay. Each team was formed of four pupils, two from Colfe’s and two from a participating school, with each team supported by a Year 12 Further Maths A-level student who helped them understand the challenges and encouraged them to work as a competitive team.
After a fierce but fun battle, the results were announced, and each pupil received a certificate of participation. The top three teams – Braeside Preparatory School/Colfe’s, Brindishe Manor/Colfe’s and Blackheath Preparatory School/Colfe’s – were awarded bronze, silver and gold certificates and medals presented by Mr Guy, Head of Mathematics.
Mr Guy said: “We were delighted to hold our Year 5 Maths Masterclass, an event that is becoming a favourite fixture in the maths calendar. Special thanks to Dr Buescu for organising the day and Mrs Hirani and the Year 12 helpers for ensuring all ran smoothly. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and the especially to the winning team from Braeside Preparatory School and Colfe’s.
“Agility of mind – and body – was in abundant evidence in the relay rounds, as the children raced to ensured they not only solved the challenges correctly but raced to get their answers back to the Year 12 panel. The children demonstrated excellent teamwork working extremely well with each other, whether from Colfe’s or from one of our participating schools.”
