Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) Cook Islands:  1999 – 2008

This year will mark the eleventh year in which the AMC has been coordinated and offered to selected schools.

The 2009 competition date is Wednesday August 5th.

Westpac Cook Islands have been very generous in sponsoring this competition as well as being a major sponsor for many years in Australia; the AMC began in the 1970’s. Over the last 10 years, the total package has been worth $4,000 (special awards) and AUD$4,750 (entries & solution books).

The competition before 1999 was organised by individual schools. Tereora College had developed a good relationship with Westpac Bank and were being regularly supported.

In 1999, the Maths Panel decided to include other secondary schools and Westpac accepted the package offered.

Now it is worth approximately $1,200 annually and from 500 to 600 students participate across 13 primary and secondary schools making this the largest organised activity of its kind in the country.

The aim of the activity is to promote and enrich the learning and teaching of mathematics in the classrooms and the community.

There is the period of preparation before the test and the period of review after where all students can participate.

The questions start of fairly easy then increase in complexity and challenge students.

It is held mid-year at a time when programs are well underway and students are ready for the challenge.

In summary

In the early years Mr Tangata Ina Tou was a keen supporter and had access to the results over the internet when Westpac were the competition’s major sponsor.

Other Westpac staff who have been most supportive include Mrs Selena Napa, Mr Wayne Beckley and Mr Rob Buick.

Recently the management of the bank have taken a greater interest in the competition with direct participation from the bank managers into the management of the AMC.

This will further increase the profile of mathematics education within the wider community.

The participation of Westpac and Ministry of Education staff in presenting the AMC certificates to students at school assemblies is acknowledged and appreciated and is a highlight in a schools academic calendar.

Some outstanding achievements include:

Leith Teipo of Enuamanu School placed three years in a row from 1999 to 2001 in the Outer-Islands Division, a scholar-shipper to Tereora and once worked for Westpac.

Samantha Johnson in 2003/04 in the Junior Secondary division gained an AMC prize award in two successive years, returning very high scores.

Since 2005 the top achievers have been from the Upper Primary Division (Forms 1 & 2). 2005 Tamatoa Carr (TOU), 2006 Graham Lindsay (Avatea), 2007 Maruia Willie (Avarua), 2008 May Thu Myo Min (Mangaia)

There have also been some challenges along the way - lost papers en-route to Australia, Manea -games duties and school refurbishment projects preventing some outer islands schools from participating and training of new teachers to be managers.

The panel would like to acknowledge the support of the following - Principals, teachers and students, Westpac Cook Islands, the News Media for raising awareness and AMC Australia.