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Students from Central Coast Grammar competed against 16,000 students from across NSW to top this year’s Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition, earning the school the competition’s Year 5 and Year 6 perpetual shields.

Jaydon Miao was the top Year 6 student and Brian Zhang and Kathy Li were equal first out of all Year 5 students.

Lohith Pathala received the equal third-highest score of Year 6 students.

Year 5 Gosford Public School students Ivy Liu and Reggy Wu also excelled, coming equal second.

Another five students received District Awards: Cedric Cunanan (Year 6), Gosford Public School; Solah Park (Year 6), Gosford Public School; Kevin Zhu (Year 5), Wyong Public School; Louis Lin (Year 5), Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School Wyoming; and Mitchell Coventry-Searle (Year 5), home-schooled.

Newcastle Permanent Chief Technology Officer, Jodi Stapleton, presented major award winners with their prizes at Newcastle Permanent’s head office on September 21, while District Awards were presented at local branches across NSW.

“For Central Coast Grammar to top both year groups and for six Central Coast students to take out major awards is an outstanding achievement,” Stapleton said.

“The Central Coast has some talented young mathematicians, with more major award winners coming from here than any other region.”

Students from 339 Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, North Coast, Northern Rivers, Central West, and New England North West primary schools sat this year’s exam.

“Having strong numeracy and problem-solving skills can help set you up for success in your career,” Stapleton said.

“STEM skills are now recognised as vital for many of the most rewarding jobs of the future.

Students are given 45 minutes to complete 35 questions without help from calculators, rulers or other mathematical instruments.

First place winners received a complimentary $250 Newcastle Permanent account, second place winners $150, and third place $100, while District Award winners received $50.

The Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition is the largest and longest running competition of its kind in Australia.

More than half a million students have registered to participate since it started in 1981.

Media Release: Newcastle Permanent