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A bright Grade 4 learner from Star College Primary School is gearing up to compete in the final round of the 2023 South African Mathematics Challenge (SAMC).
Among 510 learners from across the country to qualify for this final stage, the competition will come to a head on Thursday 7 September.
Mikaeel Vallie is the only learner to make it to the third round from the school.
Class teacher Naseerah Hendricks says the learners are encouraged to enter as many competitions as possible to enable them to compete on a local and international level.
“Mikaeel is a very bright boy,” says Hendricks. “Having this achievement is great as it encourages the rest of the class with healthy competition.”
The second-round examination was written in May.
Outspoken, interactive and an out of the box thinker, there is much to learn from how he thinks, says Hendricks.
Doing well in science competitions as well as being among the top in most of his subjects, Vallie also excels at soccer, making him an all-rounder.
Mathematics teacher Thaakira Isaacs says six learners from the class of 21 made it to the second round, with Vallie being the only one to progress to the third and final round.
Learners are asked who is interested in entering, with the first round taking place in the first school term. “We went through past papers and prepared them in class. This is an annual competition that we take part in,” says Isaacs. “We are excited. Mikaeel is a very enthusiastic learner and one of the top math learners in the class.”
An estimated 100 000 learners from around the country wrote the initial examination.
Vallie transferred from the Sybrand Park campus to Bridgetown this year and will also eventually continue his high schooling there.
When told the news of his achievement, The excitement was clear. With a smile on his face, Vallie fist-pumped the air and said a simple “let’s go”.
The competition is presented by the South African Mathematics Foundation and is aimed at learners in Grades 4 to 7.
Parents Raeesah and Imraan Vallie, are brimming with pride, saying: “As parents, we are extremely proud of Mikaeel and congratulate him for his outstanding achievement. He always gives 100% to everything he does. Investment in knowledge yields the greatest returns. We thank his teachers for their important role in his education. We wish for him to continue on to even greater success. We love you, Mikaeel and be proud of yourself.”
