A HABERDASHERS’ Monmouth student has been awarded a well-deserved second place at a national communication competition held at Tonbridge School in Kent.

Llewi took part in the Science Snippets competition, which brings together pupils from schools across the UK to present short talks on scientific topics of their choice.

The format challenges students to explain complex ideas clearly and hold an audience attention in just a few minutes.

Competing against older pupils form a range of independent school, Llewi finished second in a Year 9-11 category and as one of the youngest in the group to reach the final, it was extremely strong performance.

His presentation focused on the chemistry of an egg that has been soaked in vinegar. As part of his talk, Llewi carried out a live demonstration, bouncing a raw egg on his head to show its properties had changed.

By soaking the egg in vinegar, the outer shell reacts with the acid and gradually dissolves leaving behind a softer, rubber- like membrane. This changes the way the egg responds to force, allowing it to bounce rather than crack.

Llewi explained this process with confidence and clarity, combining a clear scientific explanation with a touch of humour which engaged the audience throughout. His ability to communicate science behind the demonstration made the presentation both accessible and memorable.

The day also gave pupils the opportunity to meet others with similar interests, sharing ideas and discussing their topics between sessions. It was, as one parent commented, “a pleasure to watch,” with a consistently high standard across the competition.

This reflects his own curiosity and the encouragement pupils receive from the school to explore their interests and develop their confidence in presenting ideas and public speaking.