Former pupils return to teach mind games
PRIMARY SCHOOL pupils are honing their skills ahead of the 18th annual Mind Sports Olympiad in Guernsey this month.
A workshop at Notre Dame du Rosaire was delivered by ex-pupils who are now in Year 7 at Elizabeth College and featured simple strategy games including Boku, Kamisado and Quoridor.
‘I need to get a more flexible mind but I’m already beginning to get it,’ said Year 4 pupil Aaron Castanha, who was learning Boku helped by ex-pupil Tom Herquin.
The games will all feature at the Mind Sports Olympiad, open to all children in Years 3 to 10 this October half-term, sponsored by BWCI.
The Olympiad features several days learning the games before an all-day tournament on the Friday to determine winners in each category.
The college pupils were continuing their participation in the school’s primary partnership programme, following the maths roadshow with Notre Dame last term.
The programme sees teachers and pupils from the college delivering educational workshops across the island in a variety of subjects from building rockets to learning about famous writers and artists.
‘It was really fun to go back and see everyone, even if it was a little strange to be walking back up the road to primary again,’ said Year 7 pupil Gabriel Paul, 11.
The board games were popular with the primary school audience and highly accessible.
Head teacher Mary Robertshaw is keen to promote the children’s engagement with them to help their strategic thinking.
Boku is a game in which players have to create a line of five, similar to Connect 4.
‘It’s really easy to pick up and I like the way that it gets your mind coming up with different tactics all the time,’ said Flynn Muir, 8.
. For more details of the Mind Sports Olympiad and how to enter, email guernseymindsports2019@gmail.com or phone co-ordinator Tony Corfe on 01707 661160 or 07973 516718 (mobile).
