CCHS girls top the Newnham College Essay Prizes 2018

Posted: 7th June 2018

Two students from Chelmsford County High School for Girls are celebrating their success in the 2018 Newnham College Essay Prizes; which is only open to female students in Year 12.

Congratulations to Julie Tang on winning first prize for the Biological Sciences Essay Prize, with her essay; ‘How do cells dispose of their trash?’  Julie is looking at a career in Biochemistry or Natural Sciences, and is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, and Latin at A Level.  She started researching for the essay in January, which she initially found challenging, particularly reading academic papers, but the more she researched, and the in-depth knowledge she gained, it became fun and interesting.  Julie learnt a great deal on how to tackle research, and to write in an academic style, including references.  She re-wrote the essay 3 times, and is very grateful for the support from her Biology Teacher, Dr Huckvale; and her father, who is a Professor in Electronic Engineering.

Julie recommends students to enter the competition next year, particularly if they want to study academic subjects at university; and is looking forward to attending the prize-giving ceremony at Newnham College later this month.

Caitlin Farrell, was Highly Commended for her essay; ‘Values are inevitably transferred from life to fiction … A scene in a battlefield is more important than a scene in a shop.’  ‘Are writers free to decide what is of value when it comes to fiction?’ in the Woolf Essay prize category, congratulations.   Caitlin is studying English, Geography, History, and Economics at A Level, and is Editor of the CCHS student magazine.  Since writing the essay she has decided to study English at university.

Caitlin entered the Woolf Prize, as it encompassed the arts and humanities, rather than one subject, which allowed her to explore many different subject areas.  Her essay focussed on the constraints of context, which allowed her to develop her interests in feminist criticism.

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