But, for more than 12,000 Year 5 and 6 students in the Hunter, they were met with the challenge of a 35-question mathematics exam to be completed without the use of calculators, rulers or any mathematical instruments. 

The annual Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition was held on Wednesday, August 24 and Newcastle Permanent CEO Terry Millett said it was all about promoting the fun of overcoming maths challenges.

“Newcastle Permanent’s Primary Schools Mathematics Competition encourages students to enjoy maths, by challenging them to use problem-solving skills in life-based situations,” Mr Millett said.

“Mathematics and problem solving are valuable life skills and the exam helps students develop these, providing more opportunities to them later in life. In fact, many adults would find the exams challenge their own problem solving abilities.

“Each year students produce some outstanding results and again this year we expect to find some exceptional young minds in our regional schools.”

Since 1981 primary school children across the Hunter and regional NSW have been tackling these maths challenges.

Last year, Vashisht Jain and Josh Rana from New Lambton South Public School, George McNamara from Kotara South Public School and Theodore Brown from Lakes Grammar School all finished equal first in the competition, setting the challenge for their fellow students.