Parktown High School for Girls learners fly the South African flag high in Russia
Parktown High School for Girls learners earned bronze medals at the international Biology Olympiad in Russia.
Parktown High School for Girls commends its learners, Abigail Oosthuizen and Ammarah Patel, who were part of the South African team that recently won bronze medals in this year’s International Biology Olympiad in Russia.
The two were selected as the top two Grade 12 life sciences learners at the school and were given the opportunity to compete in the olympiad.
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Ammarah said that the experience was the epitome of ‘once in a lifetime’.
“The opportunity to work in high-tech labs with cutting-edge technology was truly priceless. We had four rounds: an individual plant biology round, an individual animal biology round, an individual theory round, as well as a group project.”
The 18-year-old noted that the olympiad was challenging, demanding and required the learners to push themselves to even higher levels, especially competing against some of the top high school biology learners around the globe.
“The olympiad provided invaluable insight into the world around us and really made me respect the diverse roles that biologists play in conquering the problems of the future.
Winning a bronze medal on the international stage was surreal; it has been an honour to represent the country, but it’s even more of a privilege to be able to put our name on the world map.”
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Abigail (18) added that she felt immensely grateful to have had the life-changing opportunity and had learnt a lot about biology, as well as different countries, cultures and perspectives.
“Sometimes the most valuable lessons can only be learnt through experience. This is an experience I will cherish forever,” she said.
She concluded that her olympiad journey was bittersweet as it came to an end.
“As I am currently in Grade 12, this is likely the end of my school olympiad journey. My focus now is on completing my final year of high school and hopefully pursuing further studies and a career in science.
While I may not be participating in another olympiad, at the school or international level, I hope to continue exploring opportunities that challenge me and allow me to grow.”
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