Year 7 and 8 students at Gordano School put their mathematical thinking to the test in the school’s annual Maths House Competition, this year themed as a thrilling “Whodunnit” mystery.

The fictional crime? The theft of the legendary Golden Calculator — with a twist: one member of Gordano’s very own Maths department was the prime suspect. Over five days, students were challenged to solve a daily Maths puzzle, each revealing a new clue to eliminate one suspect at a time. By the final day, students had to piece everything together and make their accusation.

Each puzzle drew on key maths skills developed throughout the year, including percentages, fractions, algebra, and number fluency, offering a fun and engaging way for students to apply their learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Participants earned points for their house teams, with bonus points awarded for submitting photos of their workings and correctly solving the full case. After a week of impressive deduction and problem-solving, Portland House emerged victorious with a remarkable 60 points.

The individual winner was Daniel H, who solved every puzzle with exceptional clarity and attention to detail. He was closely followed by runners-up Jennifer V and Anais P.

The event generated a real buzz throughout the school, with students excitedly discussing clues and eagerly awaiting each day’s challenge.

Ms. Goodwin, the competition’s organiser, described the event as “a true highlight of the year and a fantastic opportunity for students to explore Maths beyond the classroom in a creative, collaborative, and competitive way.”

Congratulations to all our sleuthing students who took part — and keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Whodunnit sequel!