The Anchor

From the Deputy Principal

Mathematical machinations

There has been some very exciting developments in the world of Maths this week.

 

First of all, and most importantly, Amy Medway (Year Eleven) has been accepted into the National Mathematics Summer School at the Australian National University, running from 5 to 18 January 2025.   Approximately 75 students from across Australia are invited to attend this camp which caters for the best of the best mathematicians in Year Eleven. Congratulations to Amy on this great achievement!

 

In other exciting news, a new prime number has just been discovered!  Mr Ross Barnett, Head of Mathematics, shared these exciting details with me:

 

The newly discovered prime is 2^(136,279,841) - 1

 

i.e. Start with the number 2 and double it 136,279,841 times, and then subtract 1.

 

This number has 41, 024, 320 digits in it.

 

If you wrote it out with 5 digits to an inch, taking two seconds to write each set of 5 digits, it would take you a bit longer than 27 weeks to write the number down, and the number would stretch for 208 km.

 

IT'S BIG, AND IT'S PRIME!

 

The Mathematics Department decided to celebrate today, see if you can see how they did that!  

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal

Update on Ulster Road Lane Closure - Stage 6

Our authorised contractor, DM Civil, are ahead of the original work schedule to replace a wastewater pipeline under Ulster Road. This pipeline is an important part of Albany’s wastewater network and the work will reduce future leaks and breaks.

 

From Friday 11 October 2024 we will begin Stage 6 which will progress the lane closure along Ulster Road to the North Road roundabout. Work for this stage will continue until approximately early December 2024. 

What to expect in Stage 6:

  • A single northbound lane of Ulster Road will be closed from the North Road intersection roundabout to Bardley Road. 
  • The southbound lane from Lower King and Bayonet Head to North Road will remain open with reduced speed limits.
  • A detour along Campbell Road and Bardley Road will be in place. Alternatively, you may exit Campbell Road and use Angove Road and Collingwood Road to continue to reduce traffic around the schools and hospital.
  • Access to properties and businesses will be maintained.
  • For the safety of our workers and the community, please follow all traffic signs and reduced speed limits.

To view a map of the work stages and timeline, visit our website.   

 

Thank you for your patience while we complete this essential pipeline replacement. With your continued support, we can shape WA's water future together.  

 

Contact us

If you have any concerns or require further information, please contact Rebekah Rees, Stakeholder Manager at DM Civil, on 0438 952 722 or via email. 

Alternatively, you can contact Emma Halligan, Community Engagement Senior Advisor, on (08) 9420 2198 (during office hours) or via email.

Faults, emergencies and security – 13 13 75 (24 hours).