UKMT INTERMEDIATE MATH CHALLENGE 2023
A few weeks ago over 250,000 students from more than 3,000 schools across the UK participated in the Intermediate Maths Challenge aimed at Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils. Students had 60 minutes to answer 25 challenging multiple choice mathematical problems. Those who performed in the top 5% of the country achieve a gold medal certificate, those in the top 10% achieved silver and those in the top 25% achieved bronze.

We are delighted to announce the following certificate winners from our school.

Gold Medal – JiHyo (Year 11) and Cole (Year 11)
Silver Medal – Ella (Year 11), Melody (Year 11), Ireh (Year 9), Reeka (Year 9), Alex (Year 11) and Yifei (Year 11)
Bronze Medal – Yakub (Year 9), Celeste (Year 9), Kaelan (Year 10), Nemunis (Year 9), Grace (Year 9), Belinda (Year 10), Yazdi (Year 10), Teodora (Year 10), Arunima (Year 10) and Skye (Year 9)

This is a record number of medal winners in any UKMT competition for The Purcell School so we are all thrilled in the Maths Department and very proud of our students!

Furthermore, JiHyo is one of only 600 in the country to be invited for the Intermediate Olympiad follow on round which she will sit in March.

Congratulations to JiHyo and good luck for the next round!!

Well done from Ms Stone, Miss Mitchell and Mrs Shah!

PURCELL PIANISTS FEATURE ON CHANNEL 4’S ‘THE PIANO’
‘The Piano’ is a new TV talent competition on Channel 4 which aims to discover four of the UK’s top amateur pianists, in four of the best-known modern settings for the instrument – London St Pancra, Birmingham New Street, Leeds and Glasgow Central.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, with pop star Mika and virtuoso Lang Lang adjudicating, the amateur pianists share their personal stories and music with the public. The competition culminates in a grande concert finale at the Royal Festival Hall.

‘The Piano’ is a five-episode series, which started on Wednesday 15th February 2023, at 9pm on Channel 4. The episodes will air over five consecutive weeks, and we are thrilled to hear that not one but two Purcell pianists are taking part. Year 7 student Ilya gave a stunning performance in the very first episode, and Year 11 student Cole will feature in the forthcoming episode on Wednesday 1st March.

Ilya’s performance is still available to view on Channel 4 On Demand (07:52-10:51) here. It is something very special.

We wish Ilya and Cole every success. All of Purcell are behind you, and very proud!
 

WATFORD MUSIC FESTIVAL
On Sunday 19th February, Year 9 saxophonist April took part in Watford Music Festival. She won first prize for saxophone, Second Prize for recorder and also received the overall Woodwind Prize. Well done, April!
 

CONCERTS WEEK IN REVIEW
The Concerts Department have hit the half term running with external concerts at Cedars Village and the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, as well as the Bösendorfer Piano Concert at Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts. In School, we saw the brilliant Middle School Orchestra Concertos Concert and enjoyed four Lunchtime Concerts.

Well done to all performers, soloists and composers: Cindy, Yifei, Hana, Yulin, Sebastian, Shlomi, Alex, April, Tessa, Maddie, members of the Middle School Orchestra, Birce, Tristan, Kaelan, Tim, Cole, Nemunis, Louis, Rhea, Patchubun, Emma, Luca, Herman, Anna, Ilya, Sonya, Gui, Rowena, Phoebe, Sebastian, Jennifer, Lindsey, Da In, Emma, Ivan, Oscar, Ivanna, Jessie, Ella, Ken, Miss Baxter, Mr. Longstaff, Mr. Jenkinson, Ruize and Nancy.