Last week, the brightest young minds from across the Hunter came together as winners were announced for the 2024 Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.
Challenging students to solve 35 questions without the use of calculators or rulers, the iconic competition drew entries from over 300 schools spanning the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Central West, Riverina, New England and North West regions.
In the Year 6 Division, first place was jointly awarded to New Lambton South Public School’s Wenhao Wei, Kai Tran and Rongda You, as well as Maryland Public School’s Haoru Jin. Second place was shared by Seth Withanage from Newcastle Grammar School and Ella Myers from New Lambton South Public School.
In the Year 5 division, Safina Mehwish from Wallsend South Public School took out first place, with joint second place awarded to Newcastle Grammar School’s Kian Lim.
All first-place winners across both year levels scored 100% on their tests – an astounding achievement.
Our Chief Distribution Officer Paul Juergens presented major award winners with their prizes in a ceremony at the Newcastle Permanent Centre of Excellence on 17 October, while District Awards were presented at local branches across NSW.
Reflecting on the competition’s enduring legacy, Paul expressed pride in how the event continues to celebrate and nurture the talents of primary school students across the region.
“It’s inspiring to see so many students take on the challenge each year, demonstrating not only their mathematical abilities but also their problem-solving skills – skills that are vital to their future success.
“We’re proud to support a competition that encourages resilience, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Watching these students excel reminds us how important it is to invest in education and create opportunities for young people across the Hunter to grow and thrive.”
Paul Juergens | Chief Distribution Officer, Newcastle Permanent
Participants were awarded high distinction, distinction, merit or participation certificates based on their performance. District award winners received an additional reward of a Newcastle Permanent account credit.
The Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition, which began in 1981, remains one of Australia’s largest and longest-running maths competition of its kind.
To date, it has engaged over half a million students in enhancing their mathematical skills and knowledge.
Year 5 Winners – Newcastle
- First: Safana Mehwish, Wallsend South Public School
- Second: Kian Lim, Newcastle Grammar School
Year 6 Winners – Newcastle
- First: Haoru Jin, Maryland Public School
- First: Rongda You, New Lambton South Public School
- First: Kai Tran, New Lambton South Public School
- First: Wenhao Wei, New Lambton South Public School
- Second: Seth Withanage, Newcastle Grammar School
- Second: Ella Myers, New Lambton South Public School
- Third: Steven Zhao, Newcastle Grammar School
- Third: Ved Arunkumar Chhanya, Maryland Public School
- Third: Sopia Sinnaduray, St Philip’s Christian College Waratah
- Third: Kevin Zhang, Wallsend Public School
Year 6 Winners – Lake Macquarie
- Third: Ben Taliana, Eleebana Public School
- Third: Aarav Vijay Agarawal, Macquarie College
Year 6 Winners – Port Stephens
- Third: April Turner, Soldiers Point Public School
District Awards
Year 5 District Awards – Newcastle
- Zara Rahman, Newcastle Grammar School
- Ahmed Sajjad, New Lambton South Public School
- Alex Zhong, Mayfield West Demonstration School
Year 6 District Awards – Newcastle
- Xavier Crosby, St Joseph’s Primary School The Junction
- David Evdeev, Maryland Public School
Year 5 District Awards – Lake Macquarie
- Levi Peterson, Valentine Public School
- Taym Tohala, St Mary’s Primary School Warners Bay
- Calvin Nazarea, Biddabah Public School
Year 6 District Awards – Lake Macquarie
- Henry Bowen, Eleebana Public School
- Jack Butler, Warners Bay Public School
- Alexander Metcalfe, Teralba Public School
Year 6 District Awards – Port Stephens
- Luke Elsegood, St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens
- Julian Pham-Vaughan, Medowie Public School
