Photo - Gold students Aaliyah, Izzy and Emily. 

By Mrs Burtenshaw (Computer Science Teacher)

This year 41 bold Senior School students entered Oxford University’s Bebras Challenge, a computational thinking challenge where students have 40 minutes to solve puzzles. The puzzles are set into three categories, with the two most challenging categories rewarding competitors with more points but at the risk of a penalty for an incorrect answer.

Nine students in Year 7 took part in the Junior category for ages 10-12. Merits were awarded to Amrita Tumber, Avni Solapurkar and Harshitha Meyyalazhan. Distinctions were achieved by Noorie Sibia and Emily Elphick. Aaliyah Meghji was best in school, achieving a score in the top 10% nationally, along with Emily, both recognised with a Gold Award from Bebras.

Twelve students in Years 8 and 9 took part in the ‘Inters’ category for ages 12-14. Merits were awarded to Nafisa Marden, Vanessa Poon and Nora Nihad. Heather Carey, Milla Schreyer and Sylvia Thompson achieved Distinctions. Best in school was Robyn Battersby, also achieving a Gold award for her score in the top 10% nationally.

Twelve further students in Years 10 and 11 entered the Seniors category for ages 14-16. Merits were achieved by Sumaya Asei, Holly Blewitt, Lily Deng, Sanvi Singh and Shazmin Ahamed Rijal. Distinctions were awarded to Hania Tauqeer, Maya Kamau and Zaynab Choudhury. Mitali Misra was the best in school, who ranked an incredible 54th nationally! Mitali was awarded a Gold Award by Bebras.

Eight students in the Lower and Upper Sixth entered the Elite category for ages 16-18. Anisah Syed and Yubi Yuen achieved Merits, Keya Badheka and Tireni Salako Distinctions. Best in school was Izzy Cochrane, ranked 121st nationally, also achieving the Bebras Gold Award for her score.

As Gold Award winners, Aaliyah, Emily, Robyn, Mitali and Izzy have now automatically qualified for the Oxford University Computing Challenge in January. They have two months to prepare for the advanced challenge Oxford warns can be ‘quite demoralising for the unprepared’...!