The UWI Grade 9 Mathematics Problem-Solving Competition 2017
KINGSTON, JAMAICA On Thursday, April 6, 2017, a team of four third form students – Dageian Dobson (team captain), Daniel Palmer, Dreshaw Francis and Jason Linton, represented Jamaica College at the annual UWI Grade 9 Mathematics Problem-solving Competition.
The competition, which began in 2002, is organized by the School of Education at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and is aimed at promoting the development of problem-solving skills in students through the use of open-ended problems in mathematics classrooms.
The day began with the Opening Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the university’s Assembly Hall. The moderators, Dr Canute Thompson and Mrs A. McCarthy-Curvin, welcomed the participants and their coaches, and gave instructions for the competition. The hour-and-a-half long examination then started at 10:30 a.m. The team members, while seated, held hands and offered a word of prayer. They would remember their training, work as a team and remain calm and confident throughout the examination. The lunch break came at 11:30 a.m.
After lunch, the competition resumed with the Awards Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the university’s Undercroft. Dr. Lawrence Nicholson of the Mona School of Business and Management was invited to give a motivational talk before the announcement of the winners.
Out of some 47 schools that registered for the competition, Jamaica College placed third. Ardenne High School placed second, and Meadowbrook High School placed first. It was quite an achievement for the Jamaica College team. Ten years ago, Jamaica College placed second in the competition, but had not made top three again until now.
The journey to this remarkable achievement was one which encompassed long hours of training, dedication to the cause, self-discipline and the belief that teamwork would make the dream work.
The current team members are committed to working with next year’s team members with the intention of propelling them to first place. Fervet opus in campis.