‘Best in UK’: Teams top international Physics contest

Tonbridge boys have been ranked as the best UK team for Physics after taking part in an international competition on Wednesday 28 November.

Upper and Lower Sixth boys entered the International Physics Brawl, a three-hour online contest which tested their knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Teams of up to five students were set a series of questions, which became ever harder as the contest progressed. Teams were awarded points for successfully solved problems. 

Tonbridge entered six teams. In the Upper Sixth contest, a team made up of Tom Andrews, Max Lambert, Tim Hoving, Andrew Ng and Matt Barker finished in 11th place overall from 106 teams worldwide, making them the best placed UK team. 

The Lower Sixth competition attracted 81 teams worldwide. A Tonbridge team, featuring Oli Poole, Ben Burgess, Colin Chow, Barney Todd and Chris Leigh, achieved 14th place, also making them the highest placed UK team at that level. 

Other Upper and Lower Sixth teams performed well and achieved highly respectable positions in the worldwide table (details below).

Phil Deakin, Head of Physics, said: “These were excellent results all round, and for two of our teams to finish in top spot for the UK is very exciting. It shows the boys’ ability to think quickly, work in teams and adapt their classroom knowledge to solving problems before them. It was also a fun and exhilarating three hours!”  

The International Physics Brawl is organised by Charles University, a renowned institution in the Czech Republic. 

Full details:
Upper Sixth competition:
Team: Tom Andrews (WW5), Max Lambert (PS5), Tim Hoving (WH5), Andrew Ng (PS5), Matt Barker (PS5).
Ranking: 11th place worldwide (from 106 teams). First in UK.

Team: Kin-Sing Lau (MH5), Duncan Law (JH5), Magnus Sesodia (CH5), Fernando Almansa (JH5), Jack Dalton (FH5).
Ranking: 52nd place worldwide. 

Lower Sixth competition:
Team: Oli Poole (WH4), Ben Burgess (WW4), Colin Chow (Sc4), Barney Todd (WW4), Chris Leigh (WH4).
Ranking: 14th place worldwide (from 81 teams). First in UK. 

Team: Ricci Chung (PH4), Peter Zeng (FH4), Godwyn Lai (MH4), Justin Lau (HS4).  
Ranking: 20th place worldwide.

Team: Olly Gedney (PS4), Max Lawrence (PS4), Alex Lawrence (PS4), TJ Tsang (PS4).
Ranking: 27th place worldwide.

Team: Tom Evans (WW4), Tom Astley (WW4), Ollie Baylay (SH4), Max Beverley (JH4).
Ranking: 52nd place worldwide.