Australia’s top 25 mathematics students have been presented with a medal for their outstanding results in this year’s Australian Mathematics Competition.
Introduced in 1978, the AMC is one of the largest single events on the Australian education calendar. It involves students from Years 3 to 12 undertaking the same mathematics test and tasks on the same day in Australia and throughout the Pacific and South East Asia. Since its establishment, approximately 14.5 million students have participated and it has become an international benchmark for student performance in mathematics. In 2012, 10,000 primary and secondary schools took part in the Competition.
The principal aim of the AMC is to help inspire students about the myriad possibilities opened up to them through maths. Every student who enters receives a certificate of participation and attainment.
Based on testing solving problem skills, the AMC is suitable for students of all abilities. The Competition also helps schools identify students who are capable of advanced study and provides an opportunity for them to participate in further mathematical enrichment programs which can lead to representing Australia in the International Mathematical Olympiad.
This year’s medal presentation also marked the involvement of the Commonwealth Bank as a sponsor of the Competition.
“Achieving this invaluable support from a major corporation demonstrates an appreciation of the vital importance of the study of mathematics to the future career opportunities of students and the future economic prospects of Australia. It is also a vote of confidence in the work of the Trust and a tribute to the dedicated volunteers responsible for its success,” said Professor Peter Taylor, Executive Director of the Australian Mathematics Trust.
The 25 medallists are drawn from all states and the ACT, with eight attending a government school, seven a comprehensive government school (for advanced education) and ten attending private schools. The majority of medallists are boys.
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