MORLEY mathematics gun Christopher Leak has set his sights to represent Australia at international competitions, following his selection in the Australian Mathematics Olympiad Committee’s School of Excellence.
The Perth Modern School Year 10 student started the School of Excellence’s 10-day course at Newman College in the University of Melbourne on November 22.
His selection came after winning a bronze certificate at the Australian Mathematics Trust Senior Contest.
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READ NOWChristopher has been attending WA Olympiad Training sessions run by University of WA Mathematics and Statistics lecturer Greg Gamble since the end of last year.
He did busking sessions with his harp at Hawaiian’s Noranda to raise funds for his trip.
“I appreciate every cent that went into my box to help me finance my trip,” Christopher said.
“The City of Bayswater has also helped me through their community grant program.
“I am looking forward to meeting more people with the same passion for mathematics that I have.”
He named number theory as his favourite type of mathematics.
“I have had a passion for mathematics for as long as I can remember,” he said.
“Most of the things I do seem to revolve around numbers.
“I enjoy the feeling when I look at a problem and understand what makes it work…sometimes I see the solution straight away, while other times it can take a fair bit of thought.
“Either way I enjoy the challenge and the thrill of finding the solution.”
He was aiming to qualify for the Australian Team for the 2019 International Mathematics Olympiad in London by competing at a national competition held in Sydney in March.
He said while he would like to work with mathematics, he hoped to get into a double degree in mathematics and music at UWA.