Gold in the British Biology Olympiad

Grade 12 Student, Vasily, took on a monumental challenge: Halcyon's very first foray into the prestigious British Biology Olympiad (BBO). And what a debut it was!

The BBO is no small feat. This year 18,533 students from 1,053 schools across the nation put their biological knowledge to the test. The competition is renowned for its rigorous examination of advanced biological concepts, pushing students to think critically and apply their understanding in complex scenarios.
Vasily not only rose to the challenge, but soared above it, achieving a GOLD certificate! This coveted award is reserved for the top 5% of participants, a testament to Vasily's exceptional dedication and talent. His score of 61.88% across two demanding papers significantly surpassed the gold boundary of 57.31%, leaving no doubt about his mastery of the subject.

“In preparation for the British Biology Olympiad, I went through past papers and consulted Ms Liao on tricky and unfamiliar topics. I put in a lot of effort, so I’m thrilled to see it pay off!” said Vasily

I really enjoyed the competition, as it helped me develop my knowledge in Biology and challenge myself. I’m excited to participate in the chance to qualify for the International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines! I’d definitely recommend this competition to any students passionate about life sciences. Huge thanks to Ms Liao for all her support!”

Vasily's outstanding performance has earned him an invitation to the next stage: competing for one of four coveted positions to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines this summer! This is an incredible opportunity and a testament to Vasily's hard work and passion for biology.

Vasily’s teacher Ms Anne Liao said "Vasily has taken tremendous initiative during his preparation for the Olympiad, developing his knowledge of topics such as gene expression and adaptations to ecological changes, which we covered in lesson. On top of that, Vasily also applied his knowledge in unfamiliar topics, of which I helped guide him, but his critical thinking and want for learning did the heavy lifting."

Vasily's journey is an inspiration to all Halcyon students, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the potential for extraordinary achievements. We extend our warmest congratulations to Vasily and express our sincere gratitude to all the Halcyon staff who provided invaluable support throughout this incredible journey.

We'll be cheering Vasily on as he takes on the next challenge and pursues his dream of representing the UK on the international stage!