Maths Quiz Competition builds skills, team spirit

St Thomas High School Mathematics Quiz Competition, held on February 25, saw the participation of four non-traditional high schools in St Thomas: Paul Bogle High, Robert Lightbourne High, St Thomas Technical High, Seaforth High, and Yallahs High.

The competition, conceptualised and initiated by Beverley Hyatt, a master teacher and mathematics resource teacher, is aimed at alleviating some of the mathematical challenges being faced among teachers and students in the non-traditional high schools in the parish.

"It is hoped that the desire to be victorious will lead to the investment of more time and resources in preparation and conceptual understanding of mathematics," Hyatt said. "It was also geared towards building team spirit, unity, and tolerance among students."

The competition was part of Hyatt's initiative to encourage students to not to look at mathematics as a chore.

The genesis of this competition was in the internal competition for Robert Lightbourne and Paul Bogle High School. Hyatt used to visit these schools to assist the mathematics departments.

"The excitement generated resulted in the birth of the St Thomas High School Math Quiz Competition," Hyatt said.

There was a written component to the quiz and a play-off similar to the Junior School Challenge quiz. round one lasted for five minutes, and each team was asked questions alternately. Round two had students face off by grade level, answering five questions each. Round three lasted for four minutes. which was a buzzer section.

NOTICEABLE CHALLENGES

The junior teams comprised one grade 7 student, one grade 8 student and one grade 9 student. The senior teams consisted of one Grade 10 student and two Grade 11 students or two grade 10 and one grade 11 student.

Paul Bogle High School was crowned the Junior Champion, while St Thomas Technical High School won the Senior Champion trophy.

Every student who participated was awarded a trophy or gold medal. all the questions were written and marked by Hyatt.

"After the competition," she said, "the results from the written component were analysed for trends in each school.

"The analysis derived will be given to the heads of departments to help address the noticeable challenges as I continue to give support to raise their levels," Hyatt said.