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CONTACT US Word from the Head – 26 September 2025
Dear Parents,
This week has been Languages and Heritage week, an exciting celebration of language and culture which has permeated the Senior School every day. From collecting words in 20 different languages from staff lanyards to debating in French and Spanish, a visit to the Swiss Embassy and hula hooping in different languages (!), Ms Pavlopoulos, Mrs Steinberg and the Modern Languages department have organised a fantastic array of activities. Mr Meier gave a fascinating presentation on Grimm’s fairy tales and three of our Channing alumnae visited assembly on Tuesday to talk about where their language degrees have taken them. My thanks to all of them for their hard work in highlighting the joy of language learning, something that we hold in high regard here.
This morning Tanvee and Anoushka, our Inclusion Officers, and members of the Inclusion Society, led our Heritage Day assembly. Their focus on food and its meaning was thought-provoking. In the rush of busy days, packed schedules and little time to prepare, it’s easy to see food as just another item on our to-do list. But, they suggested, what if we took a moment to look at a meal not just as a source of energy, but as a link to our past?
The group made the point that the food we share at our tables can tell the story of who we are. It’s a language that speaks of our traditions, our family’s journey and the values we carry. Every dish – from a simple casserole to a holiday feast – is a chapter in a much larger story.
Have you ever caught a scent that instantly transported you back to a specific moment in time? The smell of warm cookies from your grandmother’s kitchen, or the aroma of a dish that takes you back to your childhood home? There’s a powerful reason for this. Neuroscience has shown that our sense of smell has a unique and direct link to the parts of our brain that handle memory and emotion. Because of this, smells can trigger memories that are incredibly vivid, emotional and long-lasting – more so than those tied to sight or sound. These so-called ‘Proustian memories’ are a key part of our personal and cultural identity, built over years by the smells we grow up with.
While our unique family recipes are special, food also shows us how much we have in common. Across the globe, cultures have developed their own versions of simple, comforting foods. The girls asked us to think about all the ways people prepare fried dough or dumplings: from Indian Gulab Jamun to Polish Pierogi or Chinese Ang Ku Kue, these dishes speak to a shared human experience of nourishment, community and joy.
Likewise, food is also a living part of history. A dish can tell the story of a culture’s struggle during wartime, its journey through migration or its joyous celebrations. I learned a brilliant new fact from Georgina: that the humble British apple crumble was born out of the necessity of World War II food rationing. The lack of ingredients for pastry led to a new, delicious solution to apple pie, proving that our food can evolve with us.
As a family, we can use food as a way to learn more about each other and our shared history. In her reflection Anoushka used these lovely words from Dutch scientist and UN food advisor Louise Fresco: “Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. It’s not about nutrients and calories. It’s about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity.”
Next time you’re sitting down to a meal together, perhaps you might try asking one of these questions to start a conversation:
- What’s a dish that reminds you of a specific person or a special time?
- Do you know the story behind this recipe?
- What makes this meal taste like home to you?
- Do you know of a dish from another country that is similar to a meal our family eats?
By thinking about the history and meaning of the food on our plates, we can create a deeper appreciation for our heritage, our shared experiences and the simple act of a meal. This is something that our Jewish families have enjoyed this week in their celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Shanah Tovah to you all!
Two final things for this week. Firstly, I am delighted to share with you the digital version of the 2024-25 School Magazine which you can read here. Within its pages you will find a vibrant chronicle of a year defined by curiosity, creativity and community. It’s a cracking read and I offer enormous thanks to Mr Felder, who has done a fabulous job of collating and editing it for the first time this year. In line with our commitment to improve the School’s environmental sustainability the magazine is produced and distributed digitally, although we are aware that a number of families enjoy receiving physical copies of the magazine and some have kept every edition since their daughter(s) joined the school! To avoid printing copies that will ultimately go to waste, we ask that you request a hard copy by midday on Wednesday 4 November 2024. To order one, please click here.
And the last thing to tell you this week is that our Charity Officers, Scarlett and Mille, are pleased to announce that this year’s charity, as voted by the Senior School, is the Teenage Cancer Trust. It’s an excellent cause and I look forward to seeing the creative ways in which we raise money for them this year.
With best wishes for the weekend, including to the staff and girls who are on our third annual STEM trip, this time to Brussels. We look forward to hearing all about their adventures next week!
Lindsey Hughes
Headmistress
