Students from St. Mary’s College in Crosby have recorded a double success in major physics competitions recently.

A team of four pupils - Helen Sheehan, Elliot Nolan, Lawrence Gillam and Philip Robinson - won first prize in Liverpool University’s annual Physics Olympics which included a series of challenging problem solving and knowledge-based tasks.

They beat off serious competition from 28 teams representing schools from across the North of England to land the top honour.

St. Mary’s Head of Physics, Dr Matthew Leach, commented: “Our students did really well to win this very competitive event against opposition from many of the region’s leading schools.

“While the competition was in progress they thought they were doing pretty well, but at the end when they were announced as winners they were amazed and delighted. Most importantly, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained a lot from taking part. They are a real credit to St. Mary’s.”

Meanwhile, Helen Sheehan has also received individual recognition for the quality of a research project she completed during the summer as part of the Nuffield Foundation bursary scheme.

She worked with Dr Matt Murphy of Liverpool University’s Engineering Department, examining the physics of new materials for engineering applications.

Now Helen has been selected as one of only a few bursary holders in the North West to present her research findings at the national Nuffield conference in Birmingham in March next year.

Dr Leach commented: “The quality of Helen’s work, and the way she presented her results clearly and enthusiastically, has been rightly recognised by the judges of the prestigious Nuffield programme.

“In addition, Helen’s project supervisor is so pleased with the work that he is planning to publish her results in an international science journal, which is another real feather in her cap,” added Dr Leach.

St. Mary's physics olympians (from left) Philip Robinson, Elliot Nolan, Lawrence Gillam and Helen Sheehan.

Helen Sheehan is presenting her research findings at next year's national Nuffield conference in Birmingham.

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