I am going to do a little Math here (yay! Math!) to demonstrate the brilliance of Shermin:
# tests Shermin wrote in my class (she arrived part way through grade 11): around 14
# marks on each chapter test: usually 30
total # test marks: 14 x 30 = 420
total # of tests questions Shermin got wrong: 4 (at the most!)
# quizzes per chapter: almost always 2
total # quizzes written by Shermin: 14 chapters x 2 quizzes = 28 quizzes
# marks per quiz: either 10 or 15. Let's put it at 12
total # quiz marks: 28 x 12 = 336
total # quiz marks Shermin got wrong: 6 (at the most!)
total number of marks (all quizzes and tests): 420 + 336 = 756
total number of marks Shermin got wrong: 4 + 6 = 10
Shermin's overall score: 756 - 10 = 746 / 756
Shermin's overall percentage: 746 ÷ 756 x 100 = 98.7%
BUT...
Total number of Bonus marks Shermin got on tests: at least half the time = 7 marks
Shermin's new score: 746 + 7 = 753 / 756
Shermin's new percentage = 753 ÷ 756 x 100 = 99.6%
All this to say that Shermin is one incredible, amazing, fantastic math student (to be honest, I have probably been too conservative in my estimates above. I'd be surprised if her final percentage wasn't actually MORE than 100%).
Perhaps the most amazing thing about Shermin is not the fact that she scores such high marks, but the fact that she does so with such ease. I do not remember Shermin ever looking stressed out or tired or overwhelmed. She often had time to chat / giggle / discuss / laugh with other students (one student in particular). Some days I hardly saw her do any Math at all! But when it was test time, she ALWAYS was prepared.
I can't actually recall HELPING Shermin much with her Math. Makes me wonder: is there a family member at home who is a math ace? Did she learn it all before coming to Canada? What is this girl's secret?! Intriguing...
I am so lucky to have taught you, Shermin. Yes, you were an incredibly talented Math student. But you were (and are!) also a wonderful person. Thank-you for always being so personable, so sweet, so appreciative, and so dedicated. I hope you have BIG plans for yourself and I sure hope that they will include at least a little bit more Math!! You are going to go on and do great things... I just know it! All the best!