Maths Team Triumph: DCSL Students Crowned Champions at HSTM 2025
We are delighted to announce that Dulwich College Seoul students Kunho J, Daniel S, and Lucas S (Year 11) have achieved an outstanding victory at the prestigious High School Team Maths Competition (HSTM) 2025 held in Suzhou on 7-8 March.
The talented trio not only secured the overall championship against 40 teams from 17 schools across 11 cities, but also clinched first place in both the Mathematician and Cryptography rounds. This remarkable achievement showcases the extraordinary mathematical aptitude, collaborative skills, and strategic thinking of our students in this prestigious international competition.
The talented trio not only secured the overall championship against 40 teams from 17 schools across 11 cities, but also clinched first place in both the Mathematician and Cryptography rounds. This remarkable achievement showcases the extraordinary mathematical aptitude, collaborative skills, and strategic thinking of our students in this prestigious international competition.
A Competition of Mathematical Excellence
HSTM, now in its 12th year, features six challenging segments designed to test students' mathematical knowledge, collaborative problem-solving, strategic thinking, and creativity. The competition included traditional problem-solving rounds alongside innovative challenges such as Cryptography, Lightning, and Codebreaking that pushed participants to think quickly and work seamlessly as a team.
This year's event also offered winners a "golden ticket" to the World Mathematics Championships finals at Imperial College London, providing our students with an exceptional opportunity to compete at the international level.
HSTM, now in its 12th year, features six challenging segments designed to test students' mathematical knowledge, collaborative problem-solving, strategic thinking, and creativity. The competition included traditional problem-solving rounds alongside innovative challenges such as Cryptography, Lightning, and Codebreaking that pushed participants to think quickly and work seamlessly as a team.
This year's event also offered winners a "golden ticket" to the World Mathematics Championships finals at Imperial College London, providing our students with an exceptional opportunity to compete at the international level.
In Their Words: Reflections on Victory
For our students, the victory represents the culmination of dedicated preparation and excellent teamwork.
Kunho J reflects: "I'm thrilled to have won the competition with my friends. I believe the key to our victory was our collaborative spirit and strategic approach. I'm proud of how we communicated effectively and supported each other through challenges. It was such an incredible experience!"
Daniel S shares: "I'm absolutely thrilled we got to experience this incredible victory together. The countless mornings and late nights spent practicing in Suzhou were more than worth it—they truly showed me the magic of determination, the power of teamwork, and the strength of genuine friendship. Yes, our journey had its tough moments—times when the problems felt impossible, exhaustion crept in, and we wondered if we'd reached our limit. But our love for math kept us going, and it was this passion that transformed even the most stressful situations into unforgettable, laughter-filled memories."
Lucas S adds: "Absolute wonderful experience gained by my friends and I. Throughout this successful trip, remarkable teamwork and collaboration skills lay the foundation of our victory. We bewildered, we struggled, we found our own way out. According to our team spirit, we always try to get the best result out of it, we're not there to just sit second or sit third! Truly unbelievable, enjoyable experience, I would call the win, aftermath, simply, lovely."
All three students expressed their sincere appreciation to the DCSL Mathematics Department and to Mr. Denning and Ms. Zou for their guidance and support throughout the competition.
Building Mathematical Leaders
The HSTM competition aligns perfectly with Dulwich College Seoul's commitment to developing well-rounded students who excel not only academically but also in their ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and tackle complex challenges with confidence.
As Daniel S aptly states, "I wholeheartedly recommend every aspiring mathematician with a passion for problem-solving to participate in this competition—it's truly an unforgettable experience that fuels your love for math even further!"
The team's victory among approximately 200 participants from across Asia demonstrates the strength of our mathematics program and the exceptional talent of our students. We look forward to following their continued success as they advance to further mathematical challenges.
Congratulations to Kunho J, Daniel S, and Lucas S on this outstanding achievement!
The HSTM competition aligns perfectly with Dulwich College Seoul's commitment to developing well-rounded students who excel not only academically but also in their ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and tackle complex challenges with confidence.
As Daniel S aptly states, "I wholeheartedly recommend every aspiring mathematician with a passion for problem-solving to participate in this competition—it's truly an unforgettable experience that fuels your love for math even further!"
The team's victory among approximately 200 participants from across Asia demonstrates the strength of our mathematics program and the exceptional talent of our students. We look forward to following their continued success as they advance to further mathematical challenges.
Congratulations to Kunho J, Daniel S, and Lucas S on this outstanding achievement!
