Students are ‘Going for Gold’ in the British Physics Olympiad

Tonbridge students made their mark in this year’s British Physics Olympiad Round One, a national problem-solving competition which encourages the study of the subject and recognises excellence in young physicists.

Boys achieved an outstanding set of results, receiving a total of four Top Gold awards in addition to seven Golds, one Silver and five Bronze.

The British Physics Olympiad is marked by an experienced University of Oxford team, and is one of several prestigious Physics competitions held annually.

Those achieving Top Gold, and who are eligible for selection to the UK team, will be invited to participate in the Second Round of the competition, as well as in the Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad, both taking place next month. The Physics season culminates with the International Olympiad, taking place in Japan in July.

Top Gold is awarded to just 6.6 per cent of students taking part in the contest; 8.7 per cent receive Gold, and 17.6 per cent Silver.

Physics teacher Ralph Fleming said: “Congratulations to the boys on these results: I think this is the most Top Golds and Golds in my time at Tonbridge. It’s also impressive to have so many Lower Sixth students taking part and earning awards. Everyone should be proud of their achievements.”

Results:
Award: Top Gold (Top 6.6% of students nationally)
Justin Leung (HS4)
Justin Lam (FH5)
Isaac King (CH4)
Herman Chow (JH5)

Award: Gold
Oliver Whittall (SH5)
Donald Chui (CH5)
Hayden Lam (FH5)
Hugh O’Donnell (PH5)
Adrian    Lam (JH5)
Nathan Tay (Sc4)
Eden Cheung (FH4)

Award: Silver
Webb Wu (PS4)

Award: Bronze I
Ewan Gadd-Chapman (CH5)
Thomas Gardner (CH5)
Dave Currie (CH5)

Award: Bronze II
Sam Ou (PS5)
Charlie Thompson (HS5)