The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual competition that brings together high school students from across the world to participate in rigorous theoretical and practical chemistry exams. The four-person team that will represent NZ in the upcoming 2024 IChO in Saudi Arabia includes Year 12 students, Daniel Xian and Alexandre Geron, chosen via a lengthy selection process starting in late 2023. 

The first test in early October selected a training group of around 150 students, who were provided with online modules and assignments in preparation for the second test in March. This second test selected 32 students who were offered a place in a one-week camp in late April. In anticipation of this camp, two practical sessions totalling about 14 hours were hosted on familiar territory at our College at the beginning of the April holidays. 

The camp, held at the Tibbs House at Auckland Grammar, allowed participants to walk between the University of Auckland and St Peter’s College between lectures, breaks and lab work. Professors from universities across the country lectured on a variety of topics including kinetics, equilibrium, and organic chemistry. Additionally, they were able to use the laboratory facilities at the University of Auckland to practise organic synthesis, spectroscopy, titrations, distillation, and other lab techniques. At the end of the camp following a practical and theoretical exam, four students (including Daniel and Alexandre) were chosen to represent New Zealand.

Alexandre and Daniel performed incredibly well in Saudi Arabia and received a bronze and a silver medal, respectively. Gold medals are awarded to the top 12% of students, silver medals are awarded to the next 22% of students, and bronze medals are awarded to the next 32% of students.

Daniel Xian's silver medal placed him among the highest-ranked silver medallists for New Zealand. Competing against 327 students from around ninety countries, many of whom were 18-19 years old, didn't faze sixteen-year-old Daniel. Special thanks to Peter Hadfield, past Head of the College Science Department, and the Peter Hadfield Trust for their support in funding part of this trip.

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