A young science prodigy at a North Wales independent school has received a major international accolade from one of the world\u2019s oldest science organisations.<\/p>\n
Coby Chan, 17, a Year 12 student at Myddelton College, in Denbigh, gained a gold award at the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad in competition against students aged up to 19.<\/p>\n
Coby, from Hong Kong, who took his Chemistry A level two years early last year and was awarded an A-Star grade, finished in the top 35 in the gruelling event which is open to almost 10,000 students in the UK and in countries including Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n
He was the only 17-year-old to qualify for the second stage of the annual event, a four-hour exam conducted remotely, which is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry which dates back to 1841 and is the oldest and most prestigious chemistry organisation in the world.<\/p>\n
Myddelton College Head of Science Lesley Corner said: \u201cThis is a really prestigious award and Coby has done amazingly well. He is very gifted, and he has worked very hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe joined the school in Year 10, and we realised very quickly that he was someone special \u2013 he just loved chemistry from the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis success has been really inspiring to his fellow students here at Myddelton and now he wants to take part in the Olympiad again next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coby, who acts as a Chemistry Ambassador at the school, helping his fellow students, and is also studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics at A-level, said: \u201cThe Olympiad was very difficult at first and a bit scary, but I managed to cope.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been fascinated by chemistry and wanted to learn more about it, and I\u2019m interested in constructing molecules.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to go to Oxford University next year and then to work as an organic chemist in the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medicines that are cheaper and more effective so as to help the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pandemic has been hard for Coby and other international students, and he was only able to fly home to Hong Kong once last year but he relaxes by playing badminton and reading.<\/p>\n
He is taking his Maths A-level a year early this summer and he said: \u201cAt first it was difficult not being able to go home to see my parents, but I like it here and it\u2019s part of my life now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comfortable here and feel that Myddelton College and Denbigh is really my second home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin Galvin, Coby\u2019s Chemistry teacher at the school, said: \u201cThe recognition from the Chemistry Olympiad is a testimony to his character and determination to succeed because in that four-hour exam he was really operating at second year university level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is quite remarkable for someone who is only 17 but he\u2019s almost certainly the most gifted student I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Headmaster Andrew Allman said: \u201cWe are all delighted at Coby\u2019s achievements. He\u2019s a very gifted and mature young man and we\u2019re very proud of him and the way he helps and inspires his fellow students here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Myddelton College, a co-educational day and boarding school, was the UK\u2019s newest independent school when it opened in the autumn of 2016 and is the only school in North Wales with a 5G network.<\/p>\n
The school currently has 280 pupils, 75 of them boarders and 70 staff, 35 of them teachers and Mr Allman added: \u201cThe school has integrated into the local community very well and we have formed sporting partnerships with a number of local clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to provide to well-rounded education and give all our pupils a breadth of opportunities, indoors and outdoors including the chance to work with and form bonds with people and countries all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about Myddelton College go to https:\/\/www.myddeltoncollege.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n