By Kyra S, Year 10

During the entirety of the Autumn term, we had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Year 10/Remove Symposium, a collaboration with Harrow School. We were split into groups and each group was tasked with conducting extensive research on a topic related to the theme “Snakes and Ladders.” It was fascinating to see the different ways we all approached this theme across various academic subjects.

The presentation itself took place on the 5th of December and the day became even more exciting when it was announced that there were commendations for the best presentations. This sparked some friendly competition between groups and definitely inspired me to help refine my group’s presentation!

The group I was part of, Computer Science, focused on Game Theory, AI, and Probability in Snakes and Ladders. We explored why Snakes and Ladders is originally a chance-based game as well as how Artificial Intelligence can be introduced into the game, to transform it into a more skill-based game. It was a rewarding challenge, and we were thrilled to win the award for “Most Engaging” presentation.

Other groups interpreted the theme in more creative ways. Some looked at ladders as symbols of ambition and success, while others connected snakes to ancient deities. It was inspiring to see how each group brought their unique perspective to the same theme.

The Symposium was overall an enriching experience, offering us all the chance to learn, collaborate, and think critically about a simple theme from a variety of perspectives. I would like to thank all the teachers involved, especially our mentors, for allowing this to take place and guiding us through the process.