Charles F. Broome Memorial School has proven again that they are the champions of mathematics.
For the fourth consecutive time, the Government Hill, St Michael primary school emerged victorious in the National Mental Maths Competition.
That means it has won the competition every single year it was held – 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023.
This year, the Republic Bank Primary Mental Maths Competition was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Charles F Broome received 59 points to take several prizes including $500, a winning trophy and plaque and a multimedia projector.
In second place was Christ Church Girls Primary which got 45 points and won $400 cash, a trophy and a 55-inch television; while third place went to Trinity Academy, which received 40 points and won $300, a trophy and a printer.
Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradhsaw, who spoke on behalf of Minister of Education Kay McConney who could not attend the event, said she was impressed by how fast the students responded to the questions.
“After a three-year hiatus, the competition has been resuscitated, preened and polished thanks in large measure to our new title sponsor, Republic Bank. It is clear to all of us who have witnessed this remarkable display of mental acuity that there is immense mathematical aptitude in our primary schools.
“These young sharp minds were able to fire back answers speedily and accurately while admittedly leaving some here in the dust as they attempted to compute the answers in the allotted time. I wish to congratulate the winning school on being the emerging champions of this year’s competition. Your performance and your performances in general were absolutely phenomenal,” the education chief said.
This year, 16 schools participated in the competition. Dr Archer-Bradshaw said she was somewhat disappointed in the number, “given the fact that over the years from 2017 to 2019, there was a steady increase in participating schools”.
“Understandably, we sense that the momentum might have been lost during the COVID-19 years. Nevertheless, this competition serves as notice that we are back, much improved, bigger and better.”
She added that mental maths skills and abilities must be developed from the primary years as students prepare for the demands of school, work and everyday life.
General Manager, Retail Banking at Republic Bank Sharon Zephirin said the competition was exhilarating and the bank was honoured to be a part of it.
“Republic Bank has long believed in the power to learn. In fact, it is one of the key pillars in our power to make a difference and corporate social responsibility programme . . . . This mental maths competition is therefore a perfect match for us under the power to learn initiatives and we are honoured to be this year’s title sponsor.
“Republic Bank aims to be a responsible corporate citizen that fully embraces its role in the development of our civil society. That only means investing in projects, programmes and initiatives that help our children develop their talents and learn essential life skills just like this programme. I, therefore, trust that this partnership will grow from strength to strength and that we can make this competition one of the premier events within our primary schools. We envision a future where all the primary schools will be eager to participate and Barbadians from all walks of life will be excited to tune in to watch the finals,” she said.
(SZB)
