It all added up to another outstanding event.

Almost 30 pupils from throughout the Hunter were recently acknowledged for their efforts at the 2024 Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.

The students needed to solve 35 questions without the use of calculators or rulers, following in the footsteps of more than 500,000 peers since 1981.

Participants were then awarded high distinction, distinction, merit or participation certificates based on their performance, while district winners received an additional reward of a bank account credit.

In the Year 6 division, first place was jointly-bestowed to New Lambton South Public’s Wenhao Wei, Kai Tran and Rongda You, as well as Maryland Public’s Haoru Jin.

Second went to Seth Withanage from Newcastle Grammar and Ella Myers from New Lambton South Public.

In Year 5, Safina Mehwish from Wallsend South Public prevailed with joint second place awarded to Newcastle Grammar’s Kian Lim.

Amazingly, all first-place winners across both age groups scored 100% on their tests.

Reflecting on the competition’s enduring legacy, Newcastle Permanent chief distribution officer Paul Juergens expressed pride in how the event continued to celebrate and nurture the talents of primary school students across the region.

“It’s inspiring to see so many pupils take on the challenge each year, demonstrating not only their mathematical abilities but also their problem-solving skills – skills that are vital to their future success,” he stated.

“We’re proud to support a competition that encourages resilience, critical thinking and a love for learning.

“Watching these students excel reminds us how important it is to invest in education and create opportunities for young people across the Hunter to grow and thrive.”

Year 5 winners – Newcastle

• First: Safana Mehwish, Wallsend South Public School
• Second: Kian Lim, Newcastle Grammar School

Year 6 winners – Newcastle

• First: Haoru Jin, Maryland Public School
• First: Rongda You, New Lambton South Public School
• First: Kai Tran, New Lambton South Public School
• First: Wenhao Wei, New Lambton South Public School
• Second: Seth Withanage, Newcastle Grammar School
• Second: Ella Myers, New Lambton South Public School
• Third: Steven Zhao, Newcastle Grammar School
• Third: Ved Arunkumar Chhanya, Maryland Public School
• Third: Sopia Sinnaduray, St Philip’s Christian College Waratah
• Third: Kevin Zhang, Wallsend Public School

Year 6 winners – Lake Macquarie

• Third: Ben Taliana, Eleebana Public School
• Third: Aarav Vijay Agarawal, Macquarie College

Year 6 Winners – Port Stephens

• Third: April Turner, Soldiers Point Public School

District awards

Year 5 District Awards – Newcastle

• Zara Rahman, Newcastle Grammar School
• Ahmed Sajjad, New Lambton South Public School
• Alex Zhong, Mayfield West Demonstration School

Year 6 District Awards – Newcastle

• Xavier Crosby, St Joseph’s Primary School The Junction
• David Evdeev, Maryland Public School

Year 5 District Awards – Lake Macquarie

• Levi Peterson, Valentine Public School
• Taym Tohala, St Mary’s Primary School Warners Bay
• Calvin Nazarea, Biddabah Public School

Year 6 District Awards – Lake Macquarie

• Henry Bowen, Eleebana Public School
• Jack Butler, Warners Bay Public School
• Alexander Metcalfe, Teralba Public School

Year 6 District Awards – Port Stephens

• Luke Elsegood, St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens
• Julian Pham-Vaughan, Medowie Public School

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