Precocious: Sophie recently obtained an A* in Extended Mathematics in the IGCSE examination.
Passion for learning drives 12-year-old to excel beyond numbers
SHE is only 12 years old, but Sophie Chan Yan Ching is already gearing up for her A-Level Mathematics examination in October.
Numbers have never daunted her; in fact, they have only given her fond memories.
Most recently, in January, she obtained an A* in Extended Mathematics in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination.
The International School @ ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur, student attributed her success to her mother’s support.
“Ever since I was two, my mum would teach me the basics, like how to count. Slowly, she taught me more about addition and subtraction, as well as read to me and taught me about the world.
“Then, she enrolled me into abacus classes, where I significantly developed my mental mathematics abilities. She has always encouraged me to strive for greater goals and pushed me to keep going through tough times. Without her, I definitely wouldn’t have come this far, both in academics and in life,” she told StarEdu.
She also expressed gratitude to her father “for all the help he gave me and the times we shared as I grew up”.
Among Sophie’s achievements are winning the Year Six Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) Maths Competition in both the individual and team categories in 2023, and receiving a Merit at the Junior Mathematical Olympiad in 2024.
Sophie, who has been a member of Malaysian Mensa – a society for individuals with an intelligence quotient in the top 2% of the population – since August 2023, said there is more to mathematics than just numbers and counting.
“The fact that the world of mathematics is vast and complex motivates me, knowing that every day I could face a new challenge,” she said.
She asserted that students should always be encouraged to think outside the box when tackling mathematics problems.
“Most mathematics problems can be solved using many different methods.
“Always thinking creatively about tricky questions has boosted my mathematics skills and helped me to excel in this subject,” she said.
While she has a special affinity for mathematics, Sophie, who plans to sit for her IGCSE science examinations in advance, hopes to pursue medicine in the future.
“I aspire to become a neurosurgeon one day. I want to do this because I am very interested in science and want to help others,” she said, adding, “I’m working on expanding my knowledge of Biology and Chemistry.”
Besides mathematics, Sophie is actively involved in music and sports.
She attained a distinction in her Grade Seven ABRSM piano examination this year and plans to take her Grade Seven violin examination at the end of the year.
“I am currently preparing for my Grade Eight piano examination and aim to achieve a Grade Eight distinction in both my instruments next year,” she said.
Last year, she took part in the Battle of the Bands competition as part of her school band.
“We achieved a Silver Award. It was a fun and educational experience taking part in a band as a backup singer and keytarist,” she shared.
In sports, Sophie, a former gymnast, is a beginner golfer who also finds time for ballet.
“I am learning golf through weekly training sessions and playing with my dad on the golf course, and I have taken part in a few golf competitions,” she shared.
Recalling her gymnastics journey, she said she started with learning artistic gymnastics at school at age five before taking rhythmic gymnastics outside of school at age six and returning to artistic gymnastics when she was 10.
“Although I am no longer taking lessons now, primarily to focus on music, gymnastics has taught me invaluable lessons and built my physical strength, leading to the present, where I now do ballet through classes,” she said.
To stay motivated, Sophie said she turns to her mother, who “always inspires me and gives me advice and support”.
“It’s okay to take breaks sometimes, as too much pressure can make anyone burst,” she added.
Her advice to students is to “not always feel pressured to do very well and become the best”.
“Instead, pursue your passion to learn and have fun!”
Weng Sam, 22, a student in Penang, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
