HSDC is very proud to announce that a student from Havant Campus has achieved a highly prestigious Gold Award in a national physics competition.
Rhys Andrews, who studies A Levels in Physics, Maths and Further Maths, entered the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) last term, a national competition that challenges students across the country to apply advanced mathematical reasoning, theoretical physics and problem-solving skills to solve a set of both short and long answer questions.
The Olympiad goes well beyond standard A Level study, embodying HSDC’s commitment to academic stretch, ambition and excellence. This commitment gives our students a strong headstart when it comes to embarking on their university studies, and career journeys.
Speaking about his experience in the competition, and how he was able to adapt to any issues he faced, Rhys said:
“I thought it was quite a fun experience, despite having very little preparation time. Going in there not knowing the material for some of the questions was a bit daunting, but I had a lot of fun doing it! A lot of the trickier questions turned out to be intuitive, especially regarding elliptical orbits of planets, which was really quite cool to figure out on my own.”
At Havant, students like Rhys are crucially supported by subject-specialist teachers who plan their lessons carefully to allow knowledge to build up over time, whilst questioning and regular assessment are effectively used to challenge students to think independently and solve complex problems. These skills are easily transferable to the workplace or higher education, giving HSDC’s students a headstart on their future destination development.
Rhys also noted the importance of HSDC’s rich extracurricular culture that provides students with opportunities to explore their interests and deepen subject knowledge outside the classroom. Speaking about the supportive culture he’s noticed during his time at Havant, Rhys said:
“The support, not just from my teachers but from my friends has been phenomenal! The free periods in my timetable allow me to choose between extra studying or taking a break, both of which are really important and makes it easier for me to learn.”
In the future, Rhys would like to continue his studies in physics through a degree in Cosmology at university, before going on to complete a PhD. Rhys noted how HSDC had helped him realise these goals:
“Havant has helped me quite a lot in that way. College has brought out my confidence a tremendous amount from the time I started. All three of my teachers are incredible and very encouraging, and the Learning Support team is really helpful too!”
Rhys’ incredible success in the Physics Olympiad is a fantastic achievement and a powerful example of what can be achieved through personal determination and a college environment that prioritises academic stretch and opportunity. It reinforces HSDC’s mission of transforming lives and fulfilling dreams through education, ensuring that students like Rhys leave College not only with strong qualifications, but with the confidence and capability to excel at the highest levels.