Inspiring the future of mathematics at Scotch College
'I'd like to do some research in maybe physics or become a mathematician' – Akshay Venkatesh, 1994 aged 14.
In 1994, Akshay Venkatesh became a member of the Old Scotch Collegians. Like many moments in his life, he was the youngest ever to do so. Having just finished Year 12 following a series of accelerations, he was bound for The University of Western Australia. What was to follow is a career that is nearly unrivalled in the field of mathematics focusing on number theory.
In speaking to his Year 1 teacher Mrs Joan Hollingsworth, she fondly recalled Akshay as a shy student who was initially reserved. At this point, Akshay, like many young boys, could not read. However, by Easter of 1987, he was able to read fluently, it was at this point that Joan realised that she had somebody very special in her class that year.
Recalling one particular excursion to the Western Australian Museum, observing an exhibition Akshay quipped to Mrs Hollingsworth, 'Do you know that they distance between those dinosaur footprints is exactly 1.36 meters?' Joan recognised that Akshay was going to need to have significantly more challenge.
Following a move to Year 3, Joan was fortunate to experience teaching Akshay for a second time. The catalyst to accelerate Akshay came in the form of a self-guided inquiry project. Without any form of reference material, Akshay produced a project entitled, 'What is a Star?' Within this project he explained the make-up of atoms; 'They consist of three particles, protons, neutrons and electrons. Actually, these are made up of even smaller particles – the up quark, a down quark.' He was seven.
This was the point were Joan consulted then Headmaster, Mr Bill Dickinson. Joan recalls, Bill quickly recognised the need to act and invited Akshay's parents, Svetha and Venky Venkatesh to discuss what the College could offer Akshay in the form of extension.
Perhaps Akshay too had begun to realise his capacity to understand mathematics, from the Junior School 1991 Reporter he stated, 'This year I am doing Year 10 Maths. I love investigations, and I have worked out the height of a cloud. I think the normal syllabus is a bit boring, I mean, all the standard formulas and stuff. However, I like the practical application of Mathematics.'
The pastoral care of Akshay was always the paramount importance. He was kept with his peers wherever possible to maintain the normality of growing up. Academically following a series of accelerations, he graduated from the College in 1994 aged 13.
More than Akshay's intellect, Joan remembers a humble, fun and kind young man that easily fitted in with his peers.
Akshay's mother, Svetha Venkatesh, a Professor at Deakin University, commended the College on how Bill and Joan made arrangements for Akshay. She claimed it was the normality, in the era before labels, that allowed Akshay to be just another student. Svetha recalls Akshay had a wonderful experience at Scotch and it was Joan who recognised his abilities before her. She credits Joan enormously for Akshay's enjoyment of school, even going to the length of driving Akshay to and from school every day from Years 3 to 12.
Svetha recalled one story, whereby Akshay in Year 4 was studying Physics in the Senior School. Due to his age, the Senior School teacher had to come and collect Akshay, assist him across the road, teach him Physics and then escort him safely back to the Junior School.
Akshay's family were pleased that the school did not sensationalise Akshay's ability and instead took a laid-back approach to consider what was best for him as an individual.
In a message for all of our parents, Svetha stated, 'What we wanted was for him to be happy, we focused on what he couldn't do and encouraged him to improve that so he could become a well-rounded person.'
This year at the College we look to inspire the next generation of mathematicians. We are fortunate to offer our current boys many opportunities to extend them to the highest level of mathematics available. Be it in the WACE mathematical methods or specialist courses or the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Mathematics, we are continually looking for ways to challenge our current crop of mathematicians.
In 2019 the College shall have another first, we will have two students embark on a course never offered at the College previously. The International Baccalaureate Further Mathematics Higher Level Course which only 300 students internationally attempt each year. Hopefully these boys can channel Akshay who once said, 'A lot of the time when you do math, you're stuck. But at the same time, there are all these moments where you feel privileged you get to work with it. And you have this sensation of transcendence. You feel like you have been part of something really meaningful.'
