Former St Leonards-Mayfield School pupil Anna Sozanska has been awarded silver at the International Biology Olympiad, after being chosen to represent the UK at the competition, which took place in Switzerland from 14th to 21st July.
The annual Olympiad, now in its 24th year, aims to promote a career in science for talented students. The 2013 international final saw more than 240 of the world’s most promising pre-university students compete in a series of challenging tests, including theory exam papers and practical laboratory tasks. Anna beat more than 4,200 UK students to reach the final, where she was awarded a silver medal.
Anna recently completed A Levels in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics German and Polish at St Leonards-Mayfield School under their scholarship programme. She is also an accomplished musician. Anna is due to start at Cambridge University in October, where she will read Medicine at Fitzwilliam College.
St-Leonards Mayfield School is as a leading independent school excelling in science, mathematics and creative subjects.
Currently, almost 80% per cent of Lower Sixth girls at Mayfield are studying at least one science or maths subject, whilst the UK average is just 42%. Consistently outstanding results in all subjects are achieved at AS and A Level each year by Mayfield students.
Antonia Beary, Headmistress of St Leonards-Mayfield School said: “I am delighted that Anna has been awarded a silver medal at the International Biology Olympiad. She worked hard during her time at Mayfield and was an excellent role model: not only studying towards the seven A Level exams she completed this summer, but also contributing generously to the wider cultural life of the school. I am confident that she will make the most of her time at Cambridge and go on to a distinguished career in medicine.”
Dr Andrew Treharne, who chairs the group of volunteers which organises the competitions, said: “There were a record number of participants in the British Biology Olympiad this year, which makes it all the more impressive that Anna was selected as one of the four students to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad.
“The competition brings together the top junior biologists from more than 60 countries and it is a testament to the hard work of Anna and her teachers at St Leonards-Mayfield School that she was awarded a silver medal."
St Leonards-Mayfield School is inviting prospective students to their series of open days, taking place on:
• Thursday 19th September 2013
• Friday 4th October (Sixth Form) 2013
• Friday 8th November 2013
• Friday 14th March 2014
• Tuesday 29th April 2014