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Venerable Bede Challenge

Over recent years there has been a great deal of research into how our brains work. There are now thought to be at least eight intelligences, these are:

1. Interpersonal - the ability to relate to others
2. Intrapersonal - the ability to know one's self
3. Verbal Linguistic - the ability to use words well
4. Musical - the ability to learn and perform music
5. Logical Mathematical - the ability to reason and calculate
6. Kinaesthetic - physical intelligence, the ability to use your body well
7. Visual Spatial - the ability to visualise things in space - it is often linked to being artistic
8. Naturalist - the ability to understand and care for the natural world

Just as physical exercise helps make our bodies fitter, exercising our intelligences makes our minds fitter. We only use about 2% of our brain and look at how much we can do. Just think what we could do if we could use 3% of our brain. In order to encourage your sons/daughters to develop their brain power we have a scheme at the Venerable Bede Church of England Secondary School called "The Challenge".

Every student is given an ROA (Record of Achievement) Folder at the start of Y7, within this they are given a set of record pages for "The Challenge". They are encouraged to carry out activities, outside of lesson time, for varying periods of time equivalent to an hour per week.

Bronze 6 weeks

Silver 3 months

Gold 6 months

The activities may be in or out of school. As an example, your son or daughter may attend a swimming club or music lessons, they simply get the group leader to sign their Kinaesthetic section after the appropriate number of sessions. They may attend a club within school and the teacher will sign their record sheet. The students reflect on their chosen activity at the end of the period and get the relevant sheet signed by the organiser. The Interpersonal and Intrapersonal sections have some compulsory sections, these are directly linked to the Citizenship curriculum and may be completed during lesson time. Tutors will help students during tutorial time deciding what they could do for the aspects of "The Challenge".

Certificates are awarded for each section achieved at Bronze, Silver and Gold. Any Y7/8 student achieving Bronze in all seven areas are entitled to go on a special day trip. Similarly any Y9 (or under) student achieving Gold in all seven areas gets another day trip, along with a badge which (just like a Blue Peter Badge) carries its own privileges. The ROA folder has space for keeping the certificates along with space for other achievement certificates. This then builds up into an impressive record of your son or daughter's achievements whilst a student at The Venerable Bede Church of England Secondary School.

We welcome your support in helping your son/daughter exercise their intelligences.

As with anything else in this booklet, do discuss any questions you have about the scheme with us.