During the Term 1 holidays, we had two students – Sophie Xu (Year 10) and Isabelle Ning (Year 11) – representing New Zealand at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) held in Kosovo.

 

EGMO is a prestigious European mathematics competition, made exclusively for high school female students who enjoy mathematics beyond the regular school curriculum. Participation is by invitation only, with each country nominating up to four students for their representative team. 

 

Sophie and Isabelle had the honour of being part of the four-strong team representing New Zealand on this international stage, and it was also the first time that New Zealand had ever participated in this competition. 

 

Outstandingly, Sophie received an honourable mention and Isabelle received a Bronze medal, making her the first ever medalist in this competition from New Zealand. The girls were also the top scorers in the Kiwi team, a remarkable achievement on all fronts. 

 

“Being surrounded by so many talented girls from all over the world made me feel like I was part of something much bigger. It showed me that math isn’t just about numbers on a page; it’s a way of thinking and can be exciting and fun. I left EGMO feeling more motivated than ever to keep exploring math and science, and to see where it might take me in the future,” says Sophie. 

 

“Everyone at EGMO was so relatable and fun to talk to, giving me friends that I would likely see again and friendships that would last for a long time. This experience has inspired me to be more open-minded about which career I undertake,” says Isabelle. 

 

Well done to both of these students for their exceptional dedication and passion and for proudly representing Kristin and New Zealand on the international stage.