Deputy Principal

Teaching and Learning / Maths News
Eloise Ellis

Maths Olympiad

Over the last few terms, at St Michael's a group of 5/6 students have been working with Mrs Ellis to prepare and compete in the Maths Olympiad.

About The Program

The Junior Division Olympiad (Division J) is specifically designed to stimulate and challenge students at primary school level. It teaches major problem solving strategies and strengthens students’ mathematical intuition prior to starting high school.

The main aims of the program are to:

Introduce students to important mathematical concepts.
Teach major strategies and develop flexibility for problem solving.
Foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition.
Stimulate enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics.
Provide for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges.

Who Can Enter?

The program is aimed at high achieving Years 5 and 6 students.
There is no lower age limit, but in some instances, exceptional students from Years 3 and 4 may successfully compete in the Program.
Registration is only open to schools in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Australian International Schools.
Individual registration is not possible

Program Format

The Olympiad comprises four separate contests roughly six weeks apart, starting in early Term 2, and students should complete all four contests.
Each competition comprises 5 questions, worth 1 mark each, and must be completed in a specified time-frame of 30 minutes.
Contest questions are completed individually by each student with no collaboration during contests.
Each contest is held under exam conditions in the classroom and marked by the teacher in charge who then submits the results to APSMO.
APSMO recommends that the solutions be reviewed as a group to enhance learning.