NEWS
SCOTCH BOYS SHINE IN MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OPEN THE DOORS TO FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES
LEFT TO RIGHT : ANDRES BURITICA MONROY , JASON CHI ( BOTH YEAR 12 ) AND ZIAN SHANG ( YEAR 10 )
Scotch boys have enjoyed tremendous success in a range of Mathematics competitions this year .
For example , a record number of 13 students were invited to participate in the most selective Australia-based competition , the Australian Mathematical Olympiad . Here the medal haul consisted of three gold ( including one perfect score ), four silver and two bronze . However , the most impressive achievement was undoubtedly Scotch ’ s performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad . The IMO is the most prestigious and intellectually demanding Mathematics competition for high school students in the world . Each country sends its six finest young mathematicians to compete over two days . Each day the students tackle three fiendishly difficult problems over four and a half hours .
Three of the six students chosen to represent Australia in 2021 were from Scotch College , as was the reserve team member . Moreover , this was the first time in Australia ’ s history that a single school has accounted for half the national team .
These students were : Andres Buritica Monroy and Jason Chi ( both of Year 12 ), and Zian Shang ( Year 10 ), with William Cheah ( Year 7 ) as the reserve . If circumstances had been different , they would
have been flown to St Petersburg to compete against some of the finest minds in the world .
This year , as in 2020 , international travel was not an option , and so the competition was remotely invigilated instead . For their outstanding efforts , Andres was awarded a gold medal , Zian a silver medal , and Jason a bronze medal . This is only the second time in Scotch ’ s history that one of our students has achieved a gold medal in this event .
Securing a medal of any grade at the IMO is a monumental achievement . Indeed , it is the pinnacle academic achievement in Mathematics for high school students , and even for the strongest students it is only feasible after years of intensive training .
Such an accomplishment opens up a multitude of further opportunities , and often proves to be a passport for gaining admission to top-tier universities worldwide . For example , Old Scotch Collegians who were IMO medallists have gone on to study Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University . DR GARETH AINSWORTH – HEAD OF MATHEMATICS
22 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021