Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition Returns to the Hunter for 44th Year with Fresh Leadership

This year, thousands of school students from across the Hunter will put their maths skills to the test in the iconic Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.

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Starting on Monday 29 July, classrooms across the Hunter are set to transform into vibrant maths hubs, buzzing with the excitement of Year 5 and 6 students eager to demonstrate their skills throughout the week.

Among last year’s Hunter region winners were Isaac Hood from Tighes Hill Public School, Wenhao Wei from New Lambton South Public School, Samual Brennan from The Junction Public School, and Jonah Jo from St Philip’s Christian College.

This year also heralds the arrival of a new director, Zak Nicholls, poised to bring fresh enthusiasm to the renowned event.

“It’s an honour to take on the stewardship of this long-standing competition,” Mr Nicholls said.

“As a kid, I participated in maths competitions myself, and it ignited my passion for the subject, even if I didn’t solve every problem perfectly back then.

“Maths is fascinating because it’s a part of everything we do. This year, our questionnaire is taking a leap into the world of modern, real-life mathematics. Careers in engineering and advanced technology fields are on the rise, and a strong foundation in mathematics is an excellent starting point for budding young minds.

“Most importantly, the Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition is all about giving it a go – even if you don’t get all the questions right.

“My favourite thing about being a maths tutor is witnessing that ‘lightbulb’ moment when students grasp a concept. So for primary school kids, this competition is about learning, improving and hopefully having a few of those lightbulb moments!”

With 45 minutes on the clock, students will tackle 35 challenging questions. The problems, inspired by real-life scenarios like measuring ingredients for a recipe or balancing a household budget, ensure practical maths skills are in play.

In keeping with tradition, the competition remains steadfast in its rules – no calculators and no rulers.

Paul Juergens, Chief Distribution Officer of Newcastle Permanent, expressed his pride for the long-standing legacy of the competition.

“For many students across the Hunter, the Newcastle Permanent Primary Mathematics Competition is a family tradition, with parents and even grandparents having taken part,” said Mr Juergens.

“Maths is integral to everyday life, from balancing a budget to time management. These are essential skills for kids to master, and this competition provides a fun and challenging way to hone those abilities.

“For over 40 years, this event has been a platform for young minds to excel and find joy in mathematics. The problem-solving skills they develop here will serve them well in all areas of life – and we look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative continue for generations to come.

“I’m also pleased to welcome Zak into his new role as the competition’s director. It’s a title with some serious history and prestige behind it, and a role of which he can be tremendously proud. We can’t wait to see his first paper!”

The competition is one of Australia’s largest and longest-running primary school mathematics contest, giving kids a unique opportunity to shine.

Since the competition began in 1981, it has seen over half a million participants, becoming a beloved tradition in NSW primary schools.

Newcastle Permanent proudly presents a range of awards and prizes to winners and high performing students and schools across the state.

Maths competition numbers

• Last year saw more than 20,000 students across New South Wales participate.

• Over half a million students have registered to participate since the Competition’s inception in 1981.

Question examples

• How much would Alice be paid for delivering 400 pamphlets if she is paid 6 cents per pamphlet?

• A: Alice would be paid $24.00 for delivering her pamphlets.

• Jasmin spent 3/5 of $30.00. How much is left? A: After spending 3/5 of $30.00, Jasmin has $12 left.

• The marked price for a big is $1,250. What would the bike cost if a 20% discount is given? A: The cost of the $1,250 bike after a 20% discount would be $1,000.

• A paddock on a farm is a rectangle 1.2km long and 200m wide. What is the area of the paddock? A: A rectangle paddock that is 1.2km long, and 200m wide has an area of 24ha.

The 2024 competition will run from Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August. Students or schools interested in signing up can register at newcastlepermanent.com.au/community/primary-maths-competition.