“Let them eat cake”
Perhaps Marie Antoinette never actually uttered the phrase “let them eat cake,” but we at the Prep certainly did this week as we began the week with an incredible House Bake Off. This year’s theme was linked to our PYP curriculum area “Who we are” and each year group from 1 to 6 was given a type of baked good and asked to make something that expresses a little something about who they are.
The remits were as follows:
- Year 1 – Party food
- Year 2 – Bread
- Year 3 – Chocolate
- Year 4 – Biscuit
- Year 5 – Pastry
- Year 6 – Cake
The email went out to staff to volunteer to be judges, and of course, it would have been remiss of me not to step up. I, alongside others, was assigned as a judge of the bread offerings from Year 2. We had focaccias, seeded rolls, sourdoughs, roti and brioche, to name but a few. Some were shaped into instrument notes or footballs, one was a series of loaves constructed as a tractor; it was a feast for the eyes. But we took our job seriously and tried every single one, and although it was difficult as the quality was so good, we settled upon a winner and runner-up.
The results will have to be in next week’s blog as they are being announced on Monday in our School Meeting. Every child who took part has gained points for their House and in the Bake Sale at the end of the school day more than a thousand pounds was raised for the Brentwood Foodbank.
It was clear from the anecdotes from children, parents and grandparents, that the House Bake Off had promoted a great deal of quality time together, gathered in the kitchen, not just making food but making memories. Sometimes we just need that nudge to get started and then we remember how nice it is to roll up our sleeves and do something practical together as a family.
It has been a food-oriented week. Yes, I know everyone else is trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions about being restrained after the festive season… well we have gone the other way. Last term, Kiki in Year 5 approached me with a request, and her idea has led to a whole lunch menu initiative. As of last Monday, pupils can suggest, via our suggestion form and box, a dish they and their family make and eat at home that they want us to try out in school. It could be a side, main or dessert. It can be something we already do, but the way we do it doesn’t taste like their home-cooked version or it could be something we have never offered.
Kiki’s inspiration was that the jollof rice we have in our school menu does not taste like the way her mum makes it. The children are excited by the chance to share a little bit of their home life with others at school. Every half-term, we will select a couple of dishes, and the catering team will work with the child and their family to learn how to make the dish. On the day we add it to our menu, we will invite the lead chef from the child’s home to join us as we tuck in. They can then let us know how close we got to their recipe!
Bringing the spheres of school and home closer together is all part of being a community.
I was delighted this week to award Kishan in Year 2 the first Head of Prep’s Award of 2026. Kishan was nominated by Miss Shewring, our Wraparound Manager, for how well he embodies our values of Virtue, Learning and Manners. Kishan is always polite and helpful in wraparound. He is always kind to everyone, polite, and helpful, meaning that Kishan does the right thing, even when no one is looking. He is a good friend, loves to learn new things, and always remembers his “please” and “thank yous.”
Well done Kishan!
Fingers crossed the rain pauses for a little while, have a lovely weekend,
Alice Goodfellow
