Writes Tony McConnell, Senior Deputy Head
Do you know your Agincourt from your Orinoco? Could you identify upthrust or define an AU? MTP boys can. On the last Monday of term, four MTP teams took part in the finals of the national General Knowledge and Science competitions held at Oxford University. They showed tremendous knowledge of plant reproduction, Newtonian physics and the moons of Uranus, as well as the music of Vivaldi and the date of the Act of Union.
They collaborated well to find the right answer on various questions about echolocation and Abraham Lincoln, and correctly identified the outline of Sweden. Over thirty schools were present in each quiz, of the 500 or so which had originally entered, so the boys did very well indeed to reach the final. In the General Knowledge quiz, MTP teams finished 7th and 14th after a spirited but unsuccessful attempt to gamble their way to ultimate success – a fine example of risk-taking. In the Science Quiz, MTP teams finished 12th and 15th. For all four teams to finish in the top halves of the finals of these national competitions was a phenomenal achievement.
Thanks to the parents and families who brought their children for a day in Oxford, and stayed to support them. I look forward to hearing how next year’s teams perform in this prestigious national competition.
