Kearsney boys excel in national academic competitions

30 July 2025

(Feature photo: Kearsney’s whiz mathematicians, who are all finalists in the Wits International Maths Challenge. From left: Matthew Behrens, Khaya Gxoyiya, Dru Mills, Thomas Schulze, Benjamin Hancock, George Sykes, Aedan Dalton, Mukona Marageni and Shay Bagaria)

Kearsney College boys have again performed exceptionally in national mathematics and history challenges. While their achievements are exceptional, they are far from the exception. Kearsney’s outstanding showings in national Olympiads has become the norm.

Three Kearsney learners – Thomas Schulze and Shavanth Chelladu (both grade 9) and Mukona Marageni (grade 10) – will participate in the final round of the SA Mathematical Olympiad, featuring the top 100 competitors in South Africa, on Friday.

Meanwhile, 50 Kearsney mathematicians – 26 juniors and 24 seniors – participated in the recent Wits International Maths Challenge, which places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.

The prestigious competition spans four tiers – prep school, junior and senior high school and tertiary (university level) – and has grown significantly in both prominence and participation. It is now considered one of the largest mathematics competitions in Africa.

From tens of thousands of initial participants from across the continent, 200 finalists were selected in each category, with nine Kearsney learners making the cut.

Kearsney’s four junior finalists are Aedan Dalton, Khaya Gxoyiya, Dru Mills, and Thomas Schulze; with Shay Bagaria, Matthew Behrens, Benjamin Hancock, Mukona Marageni, and George Sykes selected in the senior division. They will participate in the final round during September.

Kearsney also fared extremely well in the recent Senior National History Olympiad, being named the top school in KwaZulu-Natal, with Oliver Tubb receiving the top pupil in the province accolade.

Four boys – Tubb, Sphe Ndlovu, Max East and Thomas Blomfield – received gold certificates for being in the top five percent nationally.

Adam Georgiadis and James Lubbe received silver certificates (top 10 percent nationally), with Liam Botha, Thomas du Plessis, and Christopher Oellermann receiving bronze certificates (top 15 percent nationally).