24 June 2025
Over tea on Friday 20 June, Year 7 students Christiana, Ella, Ria and Tessa impressed parents, staff and students as they discussed their Curiosity Projects, the culmination of a significant piece of independent research each undertook on a subject of their choice as part of Woldingham’s Kritikos* programme.
The questions that piqued the girls’ curiosity were wonderfully diverse:
Christiana – What is dark matter?
Ella – Who influenced Shakespeare?
Ria – What happens at the Bermuda Triangle?
Tessa – How do we have dreams?
The girls were ably supported on their journey of discovery by their Year 10 academic buddies, Freya, Maia, Theodora and Vaish, who acted as project supervisors. Having completed their Junior EPQs last year, the girls knew exactly what was expected of them and enjoyed guiding and support the younger students.
Just before Christiana and Ella gave guests a more formal presentation of their Curiosity Projects in the Sixth Form lecture theatre, Head of Kritikos Mrs Payne looked back at the many and varied activities undertaken by Kritikos students this academic year, which have included a Dragons’ Den group challenge, a staff seminar on the maths behind magic, a talk by Academic Ribbon Caitlin on academic resilience, attending Thinking Big talks, and museum trips.
We’re already looking forward to seeing what Christiana, Ella, Ria and Tessa choose to explore for their Junior EPQs next year.
*Kritikos is the name for Woldingham’s programme for academic scholars in Years 7-11. Kritikos aims to encourage critical flexibility and nurture independent and enquiring minds.