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Why it matters to us that we are heard

This week was the annual House Bake Off and the wondrous creations poured in. The theme was ‘trees’ following on from our introduction of a tree name to each form group in KS2. I had the toughest job, alongside Mrs Bullock and Mrs McConnaughie, of judging the Year 6 cake round and trying every single one. Despite the hardship we did manage, just about, to find our winner and runner-up cake, but all of the entries were bursting with flavour and creativity.

Prep House Bake Off 2025

We also had entries from Years 1 to 5 in a variety of categories:

  • Year 1 – Party Food
  • Year 2 – Bread
  • Year 3 – Chocolate
  • Year 4 – Biscuits
  • Year 5 – Pastry

You can imagine that a few New Year’s Resolutions regarding healthy eating might have been paused this week.

Although we know that eating a lot of sugar can be very bad for us, the occasional indulgence can have some modest benefits. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of stroke. Sugar can temporarily boost your mood by increasing dopamine levels in the brain and some advocate that something sweet before a test can help you feel positive and therefore do better. (But we’re also far too familiar with the crash that can follow!)

Either way, the post-festive season and the seemingly endless dark mornings, can occasionally benefit from a breakfast pastry.

We continue to focus on pupil voice and agency at the Prep. In today’s educational landscape, the importance of pupil voice cannot be overstated. Giving pupils a platform to express their opinions and influence decisions fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility within the school community. When pupils feel heard, they are more likely to engage with their learning environment, develop confidence, and take ownership of their education. When pupils are genuinely listened to and actions result from their ideas, then we truly have a community where everyone is valued. It creates a dynamic where education is not merely something done to pupils but a collaborative process that respects their insights and experiences.

Beyond fostering engagement, pupil voice does lead to meaningful improvements. I have written before about the Year 5 pupils who gathered a petition for changes to our early lunch system and the Year 3 pupils who campaigned for battery bins and recycling at the School. This week Year 6 pupils have come forward with ideas for a charity run which we are now looking at the logistics for. A pupil in Year 4 asked to present on a club she wanted to lead and has now convinced a staff member to be the clubs staff supervisor whilst she leads on promotion and delivery of the sessions and we will find the resources.

When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.

Ernest Hemingway

We also want the pupils to develop the courage to speak up for each other. Mrs Trowell has been teaching the pupils about the importance of coming forward when they have seen something unkind. All children make mistakes, they are all flexing their social muscles and testing out their influence. So we have a responsibility, alongside the parents and families, to help them grow from these mistakes.

Perhaps most importantly, empowering pupil voice equips students with essential life skills. By encouraging them to articulate their thoughts, participate in debates, and take part in collaborative decision-making, we nurture critical thinking, empathy, and leadership abilities. These skills are transferable to life beyond the classroom, preparing young people to become active, informed citizens. We believe valuing pupil voice strengthens not just individual pupils but the entire community, as schools become places where everyone knows their contribution matters.

There are some that think the Mondays in January are particularly challenging and that this dark month needs illuminating. We can bring light through our kindness and compassion, so if there are people in your world who need reminding how amazing they are and how much they are loved, perhaps this weekend is a good time to do so.

Wishing you all the best,

Alice Goodfellow

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