Page 5 - Hull's School - Alumni Magazine 2023

by Christiana Stylianou
Iam Christiana Stylianou, and I am the Head of Mathematics at Hull’s School. With pleasure, I accepted the invitation to introduce myself and share with you a few insights into the Mathematics Department.
I was born in Limassol, Cyprus, and when I was young, my dream was to become a scientist. I attended a Greek Lyceum, where I studied subjects ranging from Mathematics and Science to Literature and Ancient Greek. In my free time after school, I also studied Advanced level qualifications (A-Levels) in Pure Mathematics, Physics and Statistics finishing them at the age of 16. Of all the subjects, mathematics was my favorite, and I pursued my studies in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics graduating from The University of Warwick.
I started teaching mathematics right after I completed my postgraduate studies. I taught at various levels, including grammar schools and private universities, spending my time between Limassol and London. My husband, Dion, a Warwick graduate and mathematician as well, was then working for an investment bank in London. In 2007, he was offered a great opportunity to work in Zurich, and we moved in Switzerland.
My Hull's School story began in 2009, when I joined the school. I became part of the Mathematics and Physics department headed by Mr. Cronin, and I taught IGCSE and A-Level Mathematics. In the following years, the department grew, and the needs and duties increased. It was decided to form two new departments: the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics, and I was appointed Head of Mathematics in August 2011.
As the expansion of the school continued, the needs increased and new teachers were added to the department, all of whom enriched it with their contributions. In 2018, we introduced our Mathematical Olympiad program, which aims to prepare students for this challenging competition. Many of our students advanced in the competition, with some reaching the final round and receiving the wildcard award. Additionally, we established IAL Further Mathematics in 2021. IAL Further Mathematics is a challenging and demanding course, which is required for studies in mathematics or other mathematics-based subjects by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge as well as by other Russel Group Universities. Since 2021, we have been offering a weekly chess club where the students can play chess and interact with other keen players. More recently, in 2023, we launched a mathematical library, which gives our students an opportunity to expand and deepen their knowledge in the subject. However, we do not rest, and we are constantly looking into new initiatives and activities to stimulate the students’ interest and support them in their discovery of the fascinating world of mathematics.
Mathematics is a vital and exciting subject, which has valuable applications in many areas of life. The study of mathematics develops a range of skills that can be applied across many academic disciplines. Our mission is to provide an environment where students can learn and enjoy mathematics. We
are committed to helping our students achieve their potential and develop their mathematical thinking but also to embrace lifelong learning and continue to grow in their chosen career paths.
As a firm believer in continued education, throughout my career and with the support of Hull’s School, I have also taken advantage of development opportunities including the completion of courses in dyscalculia from the British Dyslexia Association as well as in higher education teaching from Harvard University.
Teaching is a rewarding challenge. I enjoy the times I spend in class with my students and the happiness and satisfaction I feel when students master a new concept or come up with a great idea. I hope to continue develop into a more creative and motivator teacher and be able to help students see the beauty of mathematics beyond numbers and algorithms.
HULL’S SCHOOL ALUMNI 5