Regional round of the Logical Olympiad 2013 in the Central Bohemian Region – an interview with Jitka Tkadlecová and Jiří Luka
On Friday, 8th November, the Open Gate School hosted the participants of the regional round of the 2013 Logical Olympiad. Shortly after the competition, I addressed Jitka Tkadlecová, the Press Secretary of The Kellner Family Foundation, and Jiří Luka, the Deputy Principal of the Open Gate Primary School. I would like to hereby thank them both for the interview and for the opportunity to organize the regional round in the welcoming environment of the Open Gate School. My gratitude is also directed towards all volunteers who participated in organizing the regional round.
I often ask the children the same question I will ask you now: How did you find out about the competition?
Jitka: Children are often our inspiration, and it was the same in the case of the Logical Olympiad with me. My son just loves solving mathematical puzzles and logical problems, and one day, he came home and told me that he participated in the Logical Olympiad at school, and that he really liked it. As our foundation is still on the lookout for opportunities to address gifted children, it did not take much to come to a decision to meet the competition organizers.
Jiří: In my case, the answer is quite simple. I found out about the competition from the offer that arrived at the school where I was teaching at the time. The competition was very intriguing for me, as its character develops the interest in logical problems, and supports gifted children. I am really happy that our school became a partner, and that I can participate in organizing it.
What is it you like the most about the competition, both from the point of view of the spectator, and from the point of view of the principal sponsors, i.e. The Kellner Family Foundation and the Open Gate School?
Jitka: Exactly the fact that it encourages logical thinking in children, which is beneficial for them in the real life, probably even more useful than some theoretical mathematical rules.
Jiří: I like observing the bustle paired with excitement during the regional rounds... I hold all of the participants in high esteem, as they proved their efforts, logical thinking, and interest to do something extra in their free time. Both the organizers and competitors are always very nice, I keep talking with many of them, and it is always a nice chat. When the results are being announced, I feel no envy among the competitors, the atmosphere is ungrudging. The Logical Olympiad is just a great event… And by being partners of the Logical Olympiad, we emphasise that taking interest in gifted children and their support is a very important topic for us.
What message would you send to the winners and participants of the Logical Olympiad?
Jitka: To come and have a look at Open Gate. We have Open Days, but if they get in touch, we can agree on a visit here, in Babice (Central Bohemia), at any time, and even to do trial entrance exams. Open Gate is a private school requiring payment of school fees, however the costs are in full or at least partially paid by the Kellner Family Foundation for almost two thirds of students. Students of Open Gate are children and young people who like to learn, who have motivation to know more than just what is in the curriculum, who want to understand the information, not just to learn it mechanically. And as I had the opportunity to meet the participants of both the national finals and the regional round, there are many such students among the participants.
Jiří: Thank you all for the participation in the competition, you are so inspiring... We will be happy to see you someday here in Open Gate.
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11.11.2013