The challenge was part of Lloyd Haskett’s Economics class, in which the boys have been focusing on market efficiency and equity as part of a new course of study that started this year.

Mr Haskett said boys’ chosen topics to do with theoretical economic perspective ranged from environmental concerns and the Emissions Trading Scheme, to catching a cab and, finally, the Australian national pastime of sport. “After the class presentations, a selection of boys’ work was sent to the national sports magazine Inside Sport as articles to the editor,” Mr Haskett said.

Daniel’s article about inflation and its application to the construction of salary caps in the AFL, was chosen as the winning letter for the month of May. He won a classic style director’s chair, which he received this week.

Daniel said he wouldn’t normally enter competitions like this but after he did some research on the topic he found something he thought would have a good chance of getting in and gave it a go. “I received an email from Inside Sport after I sent my letter in and the reply they gave me was really encouraging,” Daniel said. “When my friend told me my letter was in the magazine and I won the top prize, I didn’t believe him. I was so excited to have won and straight away ‘claimed’ it on Facebook.”

Mr Haskett said the intended purpose of the exercise was to close the invisible gap between economics theory discussed in class and the events that took place in the real world. “It was a competitive process and the boys knew they were ultimately targeting to be published and, if possible, win the monthly prize for best article, and Daniel achieved this objective.”

Mr Haskett said his class really enjoyed the task. “They did a terrific job. It confirms for them that the gap between their studies and some of the practices that are occurring, is small and reinforces the power of individual speech.”