Five Trinityhouse Preparatory Randpark Ridge pupils returned from the recent International Maths and Science Olympiad (MSO) in Bali, Indonesia, with valuable life skills and experiences. They also won two medals. Daniel Orlando (12), Michael Shi (12), Shimmi Chen (12) and Ruan Rabbets (11) joined the South African maths team, while Jarred Feldman (12) competed for the South African science team.
Upon their return to South Africa, they excitedly retold stories of their time abroad. “I enjoyed the culture and traditional flavours and tastes,” said Feldman. The group said that they will not forget the Barong dance in Bali (a traditional dance), the Singapore Flyer (a 165m tall Ferris wheel in Singapore), the World Peace Gong in Bali, and a temple at the coast in Bali, which is inaccessible at high tide.
“They learned a lot,” said Dr Beverly Evangelides, national academics coordinator for AdVtech, the company which owns the school. “It was not just hard work and exams. They learned life skills. They learned how to communicate with other cultures. They were ambassadors of South Africa.” In addition, Shi and Feldman won bronze medals, and the South African team won the Friendship Trophy.
“I am very glad,” Feldman said. “We all put a lot of hard work in and it’s nice to receive a reward for our hard work and hours.” Shi also said that he is “very glad”, and “everyone did very well”. Maths teacher at the school, and tutor for the group, Janke Kotzé added that the exams that the group wrote were as hard as Grade 9 exams. Before the group left Bali, they had made many new friends.
Details: Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge mail@trinityhouse.co.za, 011 794 4799.
