News Languages Week Celebrates Global Culture, Creativity and Communication Across the School 20.11.2025

Languages Week 2025, Monday 17 to Friday 21 November, proved to be a highlight of the Autumn Term calendar as students immersed themselves in a vibrant programme of activities designed to celebrate language learning and foster global understanding.

As is tradition, the week began with our World Bake-Off with more than 100 entries that proved a feast for the senses. This year’s winners were: Ariadni, Year 7, for the most authentic recipe of melomakarona (traditional Greek Christmas cookies soaked in honey syrup); and Olivia, Year 8, for the best construction of her scarily life-like Medusa head.

Throughout the week, students took part in cultural quizzes and Spelling and Translation Bees spanning French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and Latin. Italian taster sessions proved popular, while opportunities to explore cultures beyond Europe were particularly inspiring. Highlights included a session on traditional Chinese dress, a Chinese paper-cutting workshop, a creative Shanshui painting class, and a screening of Kung Fu Panda: Daoism Meets Confucianism in Mandarin.

One of the most memorable moments was the dazzling traditional Chinese Lion Dance, a vibrant display of colour, rhythm and energy with the Lion throwing baby dragons out into the cheering throng of girls.

The cultural journey continued through an array of language-focused workshops. Students enjoyed a French session on Les Trois Mousquetaires, as well as German and Italian theatre workshops led by the innovative migrant- and women-led ensemble Legal Aliens. They delved into German idioms and contemporary music, explored La Francophonie — including a spotlight on Vietnam — and attended screenings of the Spanish film Padre No Hay Más Que Uno and a dynamic French theatre production performed by Onatti Productions.

Food was, unsurprisingly, at the heart of the celebrations. Our brilliant catering team developed a special international menu for the week, complemented by hands-on culinary experiences. Students tried their hand at German baking, savoured Spanish chocolate con churros, explored Cuban culture with alcohol-free mojitos, tested their knowledge during an Italian aperitif-and-culture quiz, and enjoyed a traditional Italian colazione. To work off the culinary delights they sharpened their Spanish dance skills with lively Salsa and Flamenco sessions, and got competitive with the French Treasure Hunt and traditional French pétanque.

On Friday, the school erupted in colour as Non-Uniform Day encouraged students to dress in cultural attire or in the colours of world flags. At lunchtime, musicians from across the school came together for the Languages Week Recital — a joyful finale that united languages through the universal language of music.