From Year 7 to Year 12, students have stepped confidently into the spotlight, showcasing their mathematical skills through a series of competitions that highlight the very best of problem-solving.
Year 7 and 8 Team Challenge: Problem Solving in Action
While our X_Mathematics and Standard Plus students were representing PAC in external competitions, our Standard Mathematics classes in Years 7 and 8 embarked on their own in-house challenge – a four-round team competition that has quickly become a highlight of the term.
This competition sees teams of three or four students tackling non-routine problems that demand not just mathematical accuracy, but also creativity, collaboration and clear communication. Teams earn points for both their final answers and the strategies they use to get there.
With each round, the energy has grown. The competition is now entering its final stages, with recognition ahead for the highest-performing teams and the most successful class overall. It has been a brilliant demonstration of the core skills we value in mathematical growth: reasoning, resilience and working together.
External Competitions: PAC Students Excel on the Big Stage
Beyond the classroom, PAC students have also made their mark in several major state and national competitions.
Hamann School Mathematics Competition (HSMC)
The exceptional achievements of our students were formally recognised in front of the wider school community at the Term 3 Academic Awards Assembly.
Over 20 PAC students earned awards in this highly competitive, state-wide challenge. Among the highlights:
Junior Category (Years 7-8):
- Credit Awards: Connor and William
- Distinctions: Veer and Jet
- High Distinctions: James, William and Lucas
- Equal 7th Place: Billy, Aidan and Jonathan
- Equal 2nd Place: Jonathan and Joshua
Intermediate and Senior Categories (Years 9-12):
Credit, Distinction, and High Distinction awards were earned by Aaron, William, Daniel, Milo, Sneh, Nathan, Tony, Achyut, Xavier, Owen and Henry.
The outstanding performance of our Junior students – with five of the top 10 placings in the state – is especially worthy of note.
MASA Quiz Night
The Mathematics Association of South Australia’s annual Quiz Night is a highlight of the calendar. Held at Pembroke School on 13 August, it brought together teams from schools across the state for an evening of problem-solving, general knowledge and spirited collaboration.
PAC entered eight teams across the Junior and Intermediate divisions, and the results were nothing short of spectacular:
🏆 Best Mathematics Team
🏆 Best Overall Team
🥈 2nd in General Knowledge
🥉 Equal 3rd in Maths (Junior division)
Multiple Top 5 overall finishes
The evening was filled with laughter, energy and a shared love of Mathematics – a perfect example of learning through challenge and fun.
Looking ahead, the mathematical momentum at PAC continues. In August, students from Years 7 to 12 sat the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) – a national event designed to test problem-solving skills. And in September the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO), is taking place. This prestigious, four-hour competition is the most demanding contest available to students in Years 7 to 10. Aimed at high achievers, it is both a significant challenge and a gateway to further enrichment and Olympiad-level training opportunities.
A Culture of Curiosity and Challenge
Mathematics at PAC is about far more than numbers – it’s about thinking deeply, collaborating effectively and embracing challenge. From the excitement of team competitions in Year 7 and 8 classrooms to state-wide quizzes and Olympiad-level problem solving, our students continue to rise to the occasion with skill and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to all participants this term, and thank you to the teachers and families who support them.
These events not only reflect the depth and quality of PAC’s mathematics curriculum but also reinforce the critical role that mathematical literacy plays in shaping confident, analytical, and future-ready young men.