KING’S Ely Sixth Form student, Eleanor MacGillivray, is no stranger to academic achievements, particularly when it comes to Maths and other STEM subjects. But during the Easter holidays, Eleanor secured her highest Mathematical accomplishment to date.
Eleanor, who is in Year 13 and is our Head Girl this year, travelled to Eger in Hungary during the ‘break’ to compete in the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad, as one of only four girls chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the prestigious international competition.
We are delighted to say that Eleanor, who is from the Bury St Edmunds area, achieved a Gold medal in the competition. She was placed 1st out of 123 contestants and 6th worldwide!
The UK team was placed 9th amongst official European teams. The other team members – Raka Chattopadhyay, Rebekah Glaze and Tatiana Mouzykantskii – all received Bronze medals.
Eleanor, who has been at King’s since joining King’s Ely Senior in Year 9, said: “Representing the UK at EGMO was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget. Ever since I read an article about a British girl starring at EGMO when I was in Year 9, getting a medal at EGMO was something I aspired to, but never thought possible, so to win Gold is an amazing feeling. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me.”
UK team leaders, Jenny Owladi and Kasia Warburton, who are both volunteers at the UK Mathematics Trust, said: “The UK students produced elegant and creative solutions to some tricky questions, which would be challenging for any mathematician. We’re really proud of the commitment and determination the team showed towards EGMO, and their medals are very well deserved. After two years of virtual events, it was great that this year’s EGMO could take place in person, giving the girls the opportunity to meet other participants from around the world, and to take part in a busy programme of activities as well as the main exams. We hope their participation in EGMO will give them inspiration and confidence for their further study of Mathematics and beyond.”
Eleanor has now been selected to compete in the UK Balkan Mathematical Olympiad, which will take place in Agros, Cyprus in May. She is also the only female selected for the squad in the International Mathematical Olympiad. The final team is selected at the end of May.
Eleanor is studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics for her A Levels, and has recently been offered a conditional place to read Mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Congratulations Eleanor – we are so proud of your achievements and dedication, and wish you well for the upcoming competitions!