King David dominates maths olympiad team

OWN CORRESPONDENT

Samara Jay, from King David High School Linksfield entered the key stage III competition for seniors. Her sister, Zoe Jay, from King David Primary Linksfield took part in the key stage II competition for juniors, together with Mandy Wu, also from King David Primary Linksfield, and Samuel Blou from King David Sandton.

The South African delegation was among 18 countries that took part, mainly from Europe, Africa, and Asia, some sending up to seven or eight teams to compete.

The team was led by Kitty Phillips from Durban; Leigh Pleass, the head of maths development for King David schools and executive board general secretary of the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad; and Nicole Spector, the head of maths at King David Primary Linksfield.

Out of 280 delegates and 70 teams, South Africa walked away with three runner-up trophies, 14 bronze medals, and three merit certificates, not to mention the non-mathematical trophy for the most exuberant team.

Each delegate won bronze for the team challenge; three boys won bronze for the individual competition including Samuel Blou; and Zoe Jay and Mandy Wu won merit certificates for the individual paper