GECCU Geometrics win GHS Gillis Francis Maths competition

GECCU Geometrics is the winner of the annual Gillis Francis Math competition organized by the Girls’ High School.

After four rounds of competition, the team moved ahead of its closest rival Trotmans Penta Veli which captured the second position while the third spot went to Providence Top Scholars. A total of six teams participated ranging from all sections of Form 3.

Trotmans Penta Veli captured the second position

Headmistress of the Girls’ High School, Michele Beache, thanked the teachers for the outstanding work they have been doing, since they “continue to motivate students not only to memorize formulae, but to love the subject, which many deem too difficult to learn.” The GHS Headmistress revealed that in encouraging the students to do more; they are now allowed to “sit additional Math, thus facilitating the transition to tertiary education.”

Beache disclosed that Gillis Francis’ mentorship of his teachers enabled continuity even after his passing. She also thanked former headmistress Andrea Bowman for “insight and initiation of the programme.”

Providence Top Scholars captured the third position

The Gillis Francis Math competition was created in honour of the late Gillis ‘Git’ Francis, who served as a Math teacher at the St Vincent Girls’ High School from September 4 2004 to July 5 2018. Francis was also a teacher at the St Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, the St Clair Dacon Secondary School and a Math lecturer at the Teachers’ College.

The judges in the competition were: Head of the Math department of the St Vincent Grammar School, Colin Sam; former Math Officer at the Curriculum Development Unit and Lecturer (part time) at the SVGCC Teacher Education Division, Clyde Fitzpatrick; and Director of the National Commission on Crime Prevention within the Ministry of National Security and Former Math Teacher, Nicola Evans.

The event, which was supported by several past students and business houses also saw representation by the son of the late Gillis Francis who was present to be a part of the day’s activity.