Maths pioneer visits Avcol

The Scholars Academy had the honour of hosting Subash Chandar K—an extraordinary maths teacher whose educational YouTube channel, InfinityPlusOne, has become a lifeline for NCEA maths students up and down the country.

Drawing from his own setbacks—including failing engineering and the first three years of his maths degree—Subash spoke candidly about resilience and self-belief. It took him seven years to complete his qualification, but that winding path led to him a profound knowledge of how people grasp and retain mathematical concepts. He now stands as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated teachers, having earned the 2025 New Zealand Local Hero of the Year, along with the Jim Campbell Award for Teaching Excellence, and was a Top 10 Finalist spot in the 2025 Global Teacher Prize, selected from more than 5,000 educators worldwide.

During his talk, Subash encouraged students to cultivate a growth mindset and explore how dopamine—the "reward" chemical produced in the brain —can be harnessed to motivate you towards your goals.

The students were so captivated by his candour and helpful tips, that many of them got him to sign their calculus books, pencil cases and calculators at the end of the session!