Great Columban Bake-Off

The final day of the half term saw the annual Columban Bake off. Previous years have showcased outstanding cakes with unbelievable levels of creativity making it a highlight of the spring calendar and this year was no exception.

The Bake-Off initiative is led the CAFOD Young Leaders. The aim is to raise money for CAFOD and this year all proceeds are going towards the CAFOD Syria and Turkey appeal. It has the additional purpose of raising awareness for the abundance we are fortunate to have in our own lives in contrast with the poverty experienced worldwide.

In order to make this a successful event the CAFOD Young Leaders had to publicise the event beforehand, including speaking in House assemblies, writing a letter to parents, producing posters and, most critically, encouraging students (and parents!) to make cakes. CAFOD Young Leaders were given the privilege of judging their own category of cakes: ‘Favourite School Subjects’.

On the day we were amazed, delighted, and astounded not only at the sheer volume of the cakes but also the quality, creativity, and technical skill; I am sure many would have been worthy of the Paul Hollywood handshake. This year saw the return of the traditional categories of cake: ‘Top 3’, ‘Best in House’, and ‘Best Small Cakes’, along with the new category of ‘Favourite Subject’. To mention all cakes worthy of praise would make this too long; however, star bakers included not one but two spherical basketball cakes, an amazing model of a computer and to me most impressive: an incredibly accurate model of Mr Murphy’s head! Click here to view our video of all of our cakes.

Mr Shannon-Little, who was participating in his first whole school Bake Off was impressed, saying this was a,’ Mary Berry bonanza of three dimensional architectural and structural masterpieces in kaleidoscope colours to entice the eye and then joyfully demolished to delight the palate – a veritable cake Feste!”

We would like to thank those Sixth Form students who gave up their time to facilitate setting up the dining hall in preparation for the Bake Off and later for the distributing the cakes. Our special thanks and gratitude go to all participating students and their parents who fully supported this event, through baking and their generous donations, without their support, the day would not have been such a success.

We have raised £800 so far, if you would like to donate to the CAFOD Syria and Turkey Appeal, you can do this through Gateway.

Thank you for your support,

Joshua Watson

On behalf of the CAFOD Young Leaders Louis Williams, Francesca Satik, Matteo Decesere, Aurelius Marzolini, Tom Di Stefano and Lucy Lamburn