Head of the River 2026 – Support our Crews!
We are super pumped for the 104th Head of the River this Saturday, 14 March! Our Rowers have been working hard all season to prepare for their big day. Come along to West Lakes to see them in action. We’d love to see the Saints Girls community out in force to support our crews. Our first race is at 9.45am, don’t forget to bring your posters and Spirit Sticks. the countdown is on – we can’t wait to see you there!
Happy Pi Day! 🥧
Every year on March 14th, mathematicians and students around the world pause to celebrate one of the most remarkable numbers ever discovered: (pi). Whether you know it as 3.14 or as the ratio hiding inside every circle you’ve ever seen, Pi Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore the magic of mathematics together as a family.
A Brief History of Pi Day
Pi Day was officially founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium, who noted that 3/14 mirrored the first three digits of pi. The day gained recognition in 2009 when the U.S. House of Representatives formally designated March 14th as Pi Day and in 2019 UNESCO designated the day as International Day of Mathematics. As a happy coincidence, it is also the birthday of Albert Einstein — a fitting tribute to mathematical curiosity!
The Discovery of Pi
The story of pi stretches back over 4,000 years. Ancient Babylonians and Egyptians recognised that the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter was a constant value. The Greek mathematician Archimedes made the first rigorous calculation around 250 BC, estimating pi to be between and
. The symbol
itself was popularised by mathematician Leonhard Euler in the 18th century. What makes pi truly extraordinary is that it is both irrational (it cannot be written as a simple fraction) and transcendental — its decimal digits go on forever without repeating.
Pi in the World Around Us
Pi is far more than a classroom curiosity — it is embedded in the fabric of our universe. Engineers use pi to design bridges, tunnels, and curved roads. Architects rely on it whenever a building features domes or arches. Medical professionals use pi in CT scan algorithms and MRI imaging. NASA uses it to calculate spacecraft trajectories with extraordinary precision. Even the rhythm of ocean waves and the spiral of a galaxy are described using equations that involve pi. Wherever there is a curve, a circle, or a wave, pi is quietly at work.
Fun Pi Day Activities for Families
🥧 Bake a Pie Together: Measure the circumference and diameter of your pie dish and divide them — you’ll calculate pi yourself!
📏 The String Challenge: Find circular objects at home (tins, plates, cups) and use string to measure around each one. Divide by the width — every answer will be close to 3.14!
🧠 Digit Memorisation Race: See how many digits of pi your family can memorise. The current world record is over 70,000 — perhaps your child will be inspired!
🎨 Pi Art: Assign a colour to each digit (0–9) and create a beautiful strip of coloured squares using the digits of pi. It’s mathematics as art!
Mathematics is all around us — and Pi Day is a perfect reminder that numbers can be joyful, surprising, and endlessly fascinating. We hope you and your family have a wonderful pi day!
Mathematics Faculty