Kylie Leung, an 11-year-old Year 7 learner at Courtney House International School, a Curro Select school in Pretoria has been selected to represent South Africa at the Vietnam International Mathematics Competition (VIMC) in August. Held in Danang City, the event brings together top young mathematicians from around the world.
Kylie earned her place after scoring 90% in Round 1 of the South African Mathematics Challenge (SAMC) and qualifying in Round 2 of the International Mathematics Assessment for Schools (IMAS). She is one of only eight learners selected from across the country following a rigorous two-month selection process.
At the tender age of 2-years-old, Kylie began her journey at Courtney House International School. What started as early childhood education has since flourished into an example of how nurturing young minds in an environment that values both academic challenge and holistic development can inspire a lifelong love of learning.
The young mathematician’s growth to international recognition has been the result of tireless dedication and disciplined time management. With three to four hours of gymnastics training five days a week, and a further three to four hours of Mathematics Olympiad preparation, Kylie maintains a demanding schedule. Yet she continues to pursue swimming, public speaking, and modelling, a balancing act that speaks to her focus and drive.
In 2024, Kylie ranked in the top 1% nationally in the South African National Mathematics Olympiad, earning Gold Status and placing second overall in the Grade 6 category. She also achieved a perfect score of 50 scaled points in the mathematics component of the International Cambridge Primary Checkpoints. In July 2024, she also competed in the Gauteng North Gymnastics Association Level 5 Competition (Year 11 category) and placed first overall. In August, she represented South Africa as an overseas ambassador at Japan Kids Fashion Week.
When asked what draws her to mathematics competitions, Kylie says ‘I love the competitiveness, meeting new people, and it’s fun’
Beyond her academic and athletic achievements, Kylie embodies the values nurtured at Courtney House International School. In June last year, she and two friends took the initiative to organise a School Shoe Drive, collecting and delivering new shoes to learners at Mookgophong Primary School in Limpopo. Kylie’s caring nature extends beyond the classroom. Her campaign, “Amazing Medical Heroes – Inspiring the Next Generation,” sees her interviewing doctors and other healthcare workers, sharing their stories to motivate young people, all while discovering her own dream of becoming a doctor one day.
Her advice to fellow learners is simple yet heartfelt: ‘Keep going, believe in yourself, and one day, you will achieve your dreams.’ Kylie’s journey reflects the diverse community at Courtney House International School. Her experience shows how the right support can help build not just strong academic skills, but also a sense of care and responsibility towards others.
‘With the Vietnam International Mathematics Competition just around the corner, Kylie is prepared to represent both her school and country with immense pride. I am immensely proud of our young Kylie and her achievements remind us of the remarkable potential young minds have when given the right opportunities to excel,’ says Dimitra Bailanis, Executive Head of Courtney House International School.