TAS News

QAMT Maths Quiz Winners

Each year the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers runs the Year 7/8 QAMT Interschool Mathematics Quiz. The first round took place this year on Monday, 31 July at Cairns SHS and was contested by a range of schools from the Cairns District, across all schooling sectors. Our team of Mohak Sengupta, Michael Begg, Tanay Pandey and Jinan Hassan spent many lunch hours training hard, practising a wide variety of mathematical challenges in the five areas of: estimation, speed, individual problem solving,  individual questions, and general knowledge and history.

Placing third in a closely-contested Round One, the team qualified for Round Two which incorporates schools from the Tablelands and Innisfail/Tully districts, along with the top four schools from Cairns. Knowing that the winners of Round Two are invited to attend the state finals in Brisbane, the team went back into training and planned to address their weakest sections from Round One, determined to book their flights to the state’s capital.

Under the guidance of Mathematics Faculty Head, Mr Mark Pacey, the TAS team again arrived at Cairns High; this time on Friday, 18 August, as one of the final eight schools to compete in Round Two. With the chance of going to Brisbane at stake, it was an all-or-nothing event.

After starting strongly in the estimation and speed sections, the team found themselves down by two points by the end of the individual problem solving round. With only two rounds remaining, it was going to take a special effort to emerge victorious from here. Demonstrating an almost faultless final two rounds, the TAS team finished in first place, by a four point margin and were declared the winners of Round Two of the Quiz. As such, they will be invited to attend the state final in Brisbane, early in Term Four.

In the meantime, it’s back to the classroom to face further mathematical problems and fine tune their skills.

Ronan Weber

Not only did Ronan win the recent WIN News/Westco Mazda Rising Star Award, he is also off to Marian University in the States next year on a BMX scholarship. What a terrific opportunity!

United Nations Youth Conference success

Congratulations to Sanjana Ramesh and Lilia Walsh who will be competing this Saturday in the UN Youth Australia State competition in Brisbane after their success in the recent Regional conference.

Calanna public speaking

Our Year 4, 5 and 6 students spoke confidently earlier in the week at the Calanna Public Speaking competition. Congratulations to all involved. Both Jemimah Murray (KBJ 5C) and Myuri Gopalapillai (WRJ 6R) won their heats and go through to the finals on 4 September at the Council Chambers. Well done girls.

Swimming

Last weekend TAS students Flynn Martin and Ella Goddard travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Short Course State Championships.

Ella Goddard won the 14yr Girls 200m Butterfly – she is the State Champion! Flynn Martin (boys 15yrs) won 2 x silver medals in the 100m and 200m Breast and a bronze medal in the 400m Individual Medley.

Outstanding performances from two terrific young swimmers.

Optiminds

Congratulations to the wonderful Optiminds teams who competed last Sunday at JCU. It was a wonderful day and all teams performed admirably. Our senior team won the Language section and are now off to Brisbane for the State finals. Thanks to the staff who trained and supported the teams. Great job everyone.

Hockey

Congratulations to Maegan Berther who has been awarded the “Cairns Female Hockey Player of the Year” for her division. Outstanding achievement Meagan!

Bookweek

It’s not every day you get to wear a silly hat and read “Snow Wombat” to a group of very attentive Year 1’s who asked some great questions. Perks of the job!

Thanks to our terrific Library staff at both campuses who have done such a wonderful job with Book Week.