Posted Saturday 30 May 2009

Katrina Sims received a BH Neumann Award at a function at the Scarth Room, University House, Australian National University, on Saturday 30 May 2009. The Award was presented by Professor Peter Taylor, Executive Director of the Australian Mathematics Trust.

Katrina Sims receives her Award from Peter Taylor.

Katrina afterwards afterwards with Peter Taylor and her family, at left husband Bill and at right daughter Yvette and son in law Paul.

CITATION

Katrina Sims, Gold Creek School Canberra at time of award announcement, now Merici College Canberra. Born in England and educated in New Zealand, Katrina first worked in a bank and accountancy firm before moving to Australia and graduating with Diploma of Teaching as a mature age student at the Canberra College of Eucation (now University of Canberra).

She developed a special interest in science and mathematics, and Gifted Education and went on to complete a Bachelor in Education, specialising in Gifted Education, completing part of the degree at the Catholic University in Canberra. She later graduated as a Masters in Gifted Education at Charles Sturt University and established a Gifted and Talented Program at a Canberra Primary School.

Katrina won a National Teaching Award in 1999 and joined the Problems Committee of the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, specialising in the problems for the younger age groups.

She has involved students in codes and cyphers and been at the forefront of using computers in the classroom. Her students won a national webpage competition and became national finalists in the HP problem solving competition in 1998.

Katrina also taught herself animation skills and completed a Diploma in Multimedia. She has also established chess clubs and taught a robotics program, winning awards. She is now teaching in a Middle School running special programs for students up to Year 10.

The presentation was made at the dinner of the Mathematics for Young Australians Problems Committee. From left Anna Nakos, Andrei Storozhev, Paul Vaderling (guest, Sweden), Andy Edwards, Katrina Sims, Steve Thornton, Mike Newman, Hans Lausch, Peter Taylor, Andy Liu (guest, Canada), Bob Bryce, Lorraine Mottershead, Giovanna Vardaro, Kevin McAvaney. Absent Bruce Henry, Janine McIntosh.

Peter Taylor
Saturday 30 May 2009