The Pocklingtonian 2017/2018 | Page 28

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS// Alex Todd Lower Sixth Former Alex Todd has been invited to join the U18 Academy squad of Yorkshire Carnegie, one of Rugby Union’s top northern clubs. The call-up represents a major leap forward in Alex’s development as a player, and recognizes his hard work, the support of his team-mates and the School’s strength and conditioning support. Louisa Cullen Louisa Cullen has been selected for an elite training camp which could lead to her representing the UK in International Mathematical Olympiads (IMOs). The Upper Sixth Former will spend the New Year in Budapest with around 20 of the country’s best young mathematicians, training with the Hungarian IMO squad to prepare for international level competition. Louisa was invited to join the camp in Hungary following a high score in the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad last month. She and fellow Upper Sixth Former Peter Wu were asked to take part in that invitation-only competition after impressing in a Senior Challenge in November. And in October, Louisa was one of 11 girls who scored 50 out of 50 in the UK Mathematical Olympiad for Girls (MOG) paper, taken by 1756 entrants across the country. The mean score among this year’s participants was 10, and Louisa’s 100% score put her in the top 0.6% of those who took part. Louisa scored full marks in the competition aimed at testing the skills of some of the country’s most able mathematicians. MOG is aimed at girls in 26 THE POCKLINGTONIAN He will now train with the Yorkshire Carnegie players and coaching staff, and be given a strength and conditioning program which he’ll work on at school to further accelerate his progress. If called upon to represent Yorkshire Carnegie at U18 level, Alex will play alongside Pocklington Upper Sixth Formers Ben Carlile, currently team captain, and VC Oliver Rayner. country and some have already made their Aviva Premiership debuts. The Yorkshire Carnegie U18 team plays in the Academy League, which is the highest U18 level outside of internationals. Its players are regarded as the best in the the 5th Year (aged 15-16) and above, and the two and a half hour paper consists of five complex mathematical problems for which full written solutions are required. Louisa’s 100% score puts her in the top 0.6% of those who took part. John Cullen, Head of Mathematics, Pocklington School, said: “The IMO is contested by the most gifted teenaged mathematicians from all over the world and it’s a tremendous compliment to be invited to train with the UK team. “I’m sure Louisa will enjoy the challenge of testing herself in such company, as well as finding the trip itself a wonderful experience. The Mathematics Department is very proud of her.” UKMT is a registered charity whose aim is to advance the education of children and young people in mathematics. Every year its competitions attract the country’s keenest and most talented young mathematicians keen test themselves against their peers.