On Saturday 10^th May in Oxford, the 4^th annual National Mind Lab Olympic Games were staged for school teams from England that offer the Mind Lab thinking skills educational programme.

This year 15 schools competed to be the English National Championship team and then to go on to Istanbul for the 1^st June to compete against other countries national Mind Lab teams.

The St Piran’s school team in Maidenhead were the winners of the English National championship trophy ahead of Twickenham Prep (silver) and Reading School (bronze). St. Piran’s was one of the first schools to adopt the Mind Lab programme and last year achieved second place in Salamanca Spain at the 2^nd International Mind Lab Olympics.

The team: Jesse Pajwani (Abalone and captain), Bruno Renucci (Quoridor), Ross Johnstone (Checkers), Aaman Soni (Octi) were undefeated during the four tournament rounds.

St. Piran’s Head teacher Jonathan Carroll was amongst the audience of proud parents and headteachers and said afterwards “I was amazed at all the children. Some are just 8 or 9 years and they have all displayed huge levels of concentration during the 20 minute rounds and then showed such dignity and respect in both winning and losing. It’s a great experience for them all and one of the reasons we value the Mind Lab programme so highly.”

Parent Judy Renucci said: “What an amazing experience for Bruno and so exciting for all the children to participate in. Normally children only get to represent their school and compete in sports and physical activities. With Mind Lab, Bruno has been able to discover a talent for thinking and playing thoughtfully which has also helped him with all his school work and socialising”

Dan Jacoby, who teaches Mind Lab at St. Piran’s school said afterwards: “What a credit to all their parents. Absolute intense concentration and quiet while they picked their moves and tried hard to win and then the sheer delight and broad smiles at the fun of playing games. Using games is one of the oldest methods of teaching and with Mind Lab we teach decision making, problem solving and planning ahead which are the thinking skills at the core of all learning and subject teaching.”