Published on: 6 September 2013


Christ Church boys have rated among the top scorers in two national science competitions whose results were announced recently. Two students topped the State in the ICAS Science Competition while another was a top scorer in the international Big Science Competition.

In May, Christ Church’s strongest Years 8 to Year 10 science students took part in the Big Science Competition. The one-hour competition tests students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills, covering contemporary topics such climate change, stem cell research and wireless technology.

Of the 45,000 students from across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and other Asian countries, Laurence Vanderhor (Year 10) was among 49 students to achieve the Top Scorer Award. At a recent assembly, he was presented with a certificate and a 12-month subscription to Cosmos magazine.

Christ Church received 22 High Distinctions awarded to the following boys:

Year 8 – Timothy Chapman, Edward Galluccio, Joseph Kuek, Benjamin Seymour, Alexander Shearer, Keaton Wright

Year 9 – Zack Bowles, Alec Broadhurst, Nicholas Ceglinski, Sam Collins, Cameron Everett, Digby Percy, James Sier, Thomas Waring

Year 10 – Angus Barber, Joseph Brough, Jack Hawkesford, Julian Ming, Nicholas O’Callaghan, Terry Pham, George Van Beem, Laurence Vanderhor

In June, more than 305 Christ Church students volunteered to sit the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Science Competition, in conjunction with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Of the 305 participants, 23 boys achieved a High Distinction for placing in the top one per cent in their respective year group in Western Australia.

Albert Smith achieved the highest score of any Year 7 student in WA and Simon Swan the highest score of any Year 12 student. Albert and Simon will receive their medals at a ceremony to be held in Perth in December. High Distinctions also went to:

Year 7 – James Annear, Caleb Cheng, Matthew Hamdorf, William Hu, Amitabh Jeganathan, Jeremy Leaversuch, Millar Ormonde, Henry Pemberton, Albert Smith, Cameron Terry

Year 8 – Keaton Wright

Year 9 – Zack Bowles, Devin He, Leo Li, Nicholas Pizzino, Thomas Robins, Thomas Waring

Year 10 – Joseph Brough, Julian Ming, Terry Pham, Samuel Thompson

Year 11 – Nicholas Lim

Year 12 – Simon Swan