Every year, students at RI take part in the Otago Problem Solving Challenge (OPC)- a national mathematics competition for students in Years 7 and 8 (and occasionally Year 6). The challenge is organised by the University of Otago’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Participants complete five problem sheets between April and August, each containing five questions to be solved within a 30-minute time frame. The competition encourages logical thinking and advanced problem-solving skills that go beyond standard classroom learning.

We are very proud to recognise the following students who achieved 100% across all five tests and received a $25 book voucher in recognition of their outstanding performance:

• Alan Wang – Room 5
   
• Kevin Deng – Room 19
   
• Xixi Zhou – Room 20
   
• Eric Sun – Room 26
   
• Jessica Thompson – Room 29
   
• Peter Rawstron – Room 30
   

Students who scored over 20 marks in the initial rounds were invited to sit the OPC Final Challenge, a demanding one-hour test consisting of 20 challenging questions.

Congratulations to the following students on their impressive results in the national final:

• Xixi Zhou – Room 20: Distinction, Year 8 – $25 Warehouse Voucher
   
• Eric Sun – 1st Prize, Year 7 – $100 Warehouse Voucher

Ka pai to all our mathematicians for their effort, perseverance, and problem-solving excellence!