National physics whizz kid aims for the stars

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Matthew Johnstone, a Grade 12 learner at York High, winner of the South African Physics Olympiad (SAPhO), received his certificate, gold medal and "Click 7" tablet from the convener of SAPhO, Case Rijsdijk, on Friday 8 September.

Johnstone told the George Herald he has always had an interest in physics, especially maths. "When I was small I always wanted to look at the stars and asked my mother for books. I was always curious about the world and things around me."

Next year he will be studying physics at the University of Cape Town.

Rijsdijk, who started the Olympiad 23 years ago, said South Africa is no different from any other country in the world, as we have youngsters with the same latent abilities and capacities. "We have to find them and nurture and grow and monitor them," he said. SAPhO is hosted by the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) and aims to identify young Southern Africans with ability in physics and encourage them to study physics at tertiary institutions and universities within South Africa.

Rijsdijk expressed thanks to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta) for their support and funding.

York headmaster Francois Moll said, "We have to find ways of extending the curriculum for gifted children as they have to be continually challenged in class." Moll acknowledged the role played by his senior personnel in addressing this. York has had a bumper year in the Olympiads, with learners doing very well in the computer programming, bioscience, consumer studies and English Olympiads. "The school can't claim sole credit, as these young people have enquiring, independent minds and it is what they do themselves beyond the classroom that sets them apart."

Due to the matrics writing their prelims, a scaled-down award ceremony was held in the headmaster's office. From left: Deryk Eckersley (York), Graeme Johnstone, Case Rijsdijk (SAPhO), Mathew Johnstone, Hilary Johnstone, Koos van Tonder (York) and Francois Moll (York headmaster). Photos: Myron Rabinowitz

Koos van Tonder, Matthew's teacher, said teaching him is challenging as he is continually pushing and broadening the spectrum of teaching. "Matthew helped the other learners to think much broader than the syllabus that is in front of them. Above all, he is willing to help other students and has the ability to explain complex substance in a way that makes it easy."

Over 100 learners from 69 schools were selected from almost 30 000 learners who wrote the SA National Youth Science Olympiad (Sanyso) to write SAPhO 2018. Learners who did well in any other recognised science competition or Olympiad were also invited to take part in SAPhO.

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