DILI, 09 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Simplício de Deus, a year 7 student from Ruy Cinatti Portuguese School has placed third out of 52.300 students, in the 2022 SuperTmatik Mental Maths International Competition.
De Deus emerged as third out of thousands of talented students and put Timor-Leste in fourth place among other countries.
“Last friday, I heard the news that I was placed in third place out of many students worldwide in the 2022 SuperTmatik Mental Maths International Competition. I am immensely proud and very happy that I can take my country to the world and put it in the fourth place,” Simplício de Deus told Tatoli, in Balide, Dili.
De Deus said the competition was held in three languages – Portuguese, Spanish, and English, saying slow internet speed affected him during the competition.
“As soon as I finished my calculation, I clicked to send the answers. But the internet speed was so slow, meanwhile, the time continued to count”, he said.
The SuperTmatik Mental Calculation teacher, Rita Magriço, said the competition has been existing for several years.
“I have been teaching mental math since 2020 and, this year, I decided to create the Super Tmatik club, aiming to develop mental maths calculation and other skills,” she stressed.
“Simplício de Deus is a very good student in several subjects. He works hard and works every day. When asked to participate, he is always available. This year we did. This is very good for Timor-Leste and the Portuguese School.”
Acácio de Brito, the Director of the Ruy Cinatti Portuguese School congratulated the efforts of the students and teachers.
“The Portuguese School puts Timor-Leste on the world map of mathematical calculation. We congratulate the students and teachers. Regrettably, we can say that we didn’t win the first place because the speed of the internet was so slow and it didn’t work properly,” he said.
Brito said it’s important for students to master several foreign languages to be able to compete in the competition.
“This school develops student’s strategic thinking to identify difficulties and try to overcome them with work, dedication, and great effort,” he highlighted.
Brito recalled that his school has already participated in the competition for three consecutive years.
Journalist: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora/Nelia Borges
Translation: Filomeno Martins
