BSB Insider Issue 23

BSB INSIDER O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5

Issue 23

Recipes Fashion Trends Face Paint Important Dates Movie Recommendations Book Festival

Don’t Be An Outsider, Read The Insider!

Table of Contents HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

01

HALLOWEEN RECIPES

03

FACE PAINTINGS

05

MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS

07

IMPORTANT DATES IN AUTUMN

09

FALL FASHION TRENDS

11

AMNESTY

13

BOOK FESTIVAL

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The Ultimate Guide to Halloween Costumes 2025 Nick Wilde and Judy Hops Zootopia’s Nick Wilde and Judy Hops makes for the perfect duo costume!

Grab some bunny ears, a toy police badge and a blue outfit to become Judy.

For Nick, grab a green shirt, a purple tie and some fox ears.

Spiderman and Hulk A classic Halloween costume for duos Spiderman and Hulk.

For Spiderman, grab a red and blue suit with web designs, with red face paint, black face paint for web lines and white face paint around the eyes to complete the look.

For Hulk, grab a green shirt with ripped purple bottoms and green face paint to tie it all together.

Elphaba and Glenda

Elphaba and Glenda are the perfect magical duo costume!

To become Elphaba, grab a black dress, a black witch’s hat and green facepaint.

To become Glenda, go with a sparkly pink dress, a tiara and a wand to finish the look.

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Scooby Doo

The Scooby Doo gang makes for the perfect group costume this Halloween.

For Scooby, grab some brown ears, a brown tail, brown shirt and pants and then obviously the famous collar tag!

For Shaggy go with an oversized green shirt, baggy brown pants and the more laid back look.

For Daphne, wear a purple dress, a pink scarf, some pink boots and a headband.

For Velma, grab an orange knit sweater, a red skirt, a pair of knee high orange socks, and glasses.

Finally for Fred, wear a white sweater, blue pants, and an orange ascot to pull the look together.

Alvin and the Chipmunks Alvin and the Chipmunks makes for a fun trio costume!

For Alvin, grab a red sweater with a big yellow A on it with a matching red cap and beige coloured pants.

For Simon, wear a blue sweater, glasses and some beige pants.

Finally for Theodore, wear a green sweater and beige pants.

Monster High Monster High makes for the perfect nostalgic and stylish group costume. For Frankie Stein, wear a plaid school dress, a black tie, and a blue wig with green face paint and stitches and bolts.

For Draculaura, grab a pink-and-black outfit, a little bat-inspired skirt, and add a heart under your eye as well as pink facepaint.

For Cleo de Nile, wear a blue dress with chunky gold jewellery, and a gold sparkly headpiece with a black wig.

For Clawdeen wolf, wear an animal print shirt, a purple skirt, a leather jacket and some furry wolf ears

2

Recipes Mummy Brownies

Ingredients 3 eggs 1 ½ cups sugar 100g butter (melted) 2 cups cocoa powder 2 cups flour White chocolate (melted, for stripes) Candy eyes (or chocolate chips)

Method Start by preheating the oven to 180°C and lining a square baking tin with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, then stir in the melted butter. Sift in the cocoa powder and flour, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 15– 20 minutes.

Once baked, let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares or rectangles.

Melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the brownies to look like mummy bandages, then add candy eyes (or chocolate chips). And it’s done!

3

Recipes Pumpkin French Toast

Ingredients 4 large eggs 1/2 cup canned pumpkin 3/4 cup milk 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 8 thick slices of bread

Method In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, canned pumpkin, milk, light brown sugar, flour, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg until smooth, or blend for an extra creamy texture.

Next, heat a lightly greased griddle or skillet over medium heat and dip each slice of bread into the batter, coating both sides thoroughly. Cook the bread for 2–3 minutes on each side until it turns golden brown and is cooked through.

Finally, serve the French toast warm with your favorite syrup and a pat of butter, and for an indulgent touch, top with whipped cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a perfect fall-inspired breakfast.

4

Movie Recommendations Dead Poets Society

The story follows an English teacher, John Keating, whose unorthodox teaching methods encourage his students to think independently, seize the day, and embrace their passions.

Through poetry, self-expression, and secret gatherings of the “Dead Poets Society,” the students discover the courage to challenge conformity and follow their own dreams.

Hocus Pocus

A fun and nostalgic Halloween classic that follows three witches accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem.

As they hilariously attempt to regain their powers, a group of kids must stop them, creating a story full of autumn mischief, magical adventures, and seasonal charm perfect for Halloween nights.

Coraline

A darkly imaginative animated adventure about a young girl who discovers a hidden, alternate world that seems perfect at first but hides sinister secrets.

Its eerie atmosphere and creepy visuals make it a perfect film for chilly October evenings.

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Movie Recommendations Corpse Bride

Tim Burton’s Gothic retelling of the Headless Horseman legend brings mystery and suspense to the screen, set against dark forests and foggy autumn landscapes.

Though spooky, its dramatic visuals and adventurous tone make it an atmospheric film that captures the eerie magic of the Halloween season.

CoCo

Set around Mexico’s Day of the Dead, this Pixar film tells the story of Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a musician and unexpectedly journeys into the Land of the Dead.

With its vibrant visuals and heartfelt message about family and remembrance, it’s both festive and meaningful for the fall season.

Scream,

A thrilling and suspenseful film that blends mystery with sharp humor, following a masked killer terrorizing a small town.

Known for its clever twists and self-aware take on horror movie clichés, Scream became a modern classic that’s both scary and entertaining for older audiences.

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FACE PAINT‌ Draculara: 1.Start by painting your face with a light pink face paint.

2.Take a darker pink and add a shadow to your eyes to make them pop out.

3.Take a red colour and add a small heart on top of your left cheek.

4.Add white highlights on the tip of your nose and the inner corners of your eyes.

5.Draw on lashes with black face paint on your eyelids and your bottom lashes.

6.Use a pink lip gloss to finish off.

Frankie Stein: 1.Begin with painting your face a light turquoise colour.

2.Draw stiches with black face paint on your upper right cheek.

3.Add purple onto your eyelids and a white highlight on the inner corner of your eye.

4.Draw on eyelashes with black.

5.Add a peachy coloured lipstick to finish off.

Lagoona Blue: 1.Use a light blue as a base colour on your face.

2.Use a white and purple on your eyelids.

3.Add pink on your cheeks.

4.Add brown freckles.

5.Draw eyelashes using black.

6.Use a pink lip gloss to finish.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: 1.Use a light brown to paint your face with an ‘m’ shape above your eyebrows.

2.Use white on your eyelids.

3.Add red circles to your cheeks.

4.Use a dark brown to colour the tip of your nose and draw a line down to your lip.

5.Draw a line from your eyebrows down the side of your nose using the same brown.

6.Add dots on your upper lip area.

7.Add teeth with white.

Judy Hops: 1.Use white on your upper lip area.

2.Paint your upper lip black whit a line connecting to your nose.

3.Paint the tip of your nose pink and outline with a black.

4.Add black whiskers.

5

FACE PAINT‌ Nick Wilde: 1.Use orange to draw the ears of a fox.

2.Use black to outline and colour the tip of your nose.

3.Add whiskers using black.

4.Use white to colour in the inside of the ears.

Elphaba: 1.Paint your face with green and add a darker green on your eyelids.

2.Add small freckles with black.

3.Add shadows using a darker green below your cheeks.

4.Use green to colour your lips and outline your lips with a dark green.

Glinda: 1.Use a light pink to paint your eyelids and your cheeks.

2.Use white for swirly details on your cheeks.

3.Add a shimmer on top.

4.Use a pink on your lips to finish.

Hulk: 1.Start with a green face paint.

2.Colour in your eyebrows with black face paint.

3.Add wrinkles using a thin brush and the same black face paint that you used for the eyebrows.

Spiderman: 1.Using red, draw a mask shape around your eyes 2.Colour in white around your eyes 3.Add black details with a thin brush in the shape of a spider web 6

1

IMPORTANT DATES IN AUTUMN September: Mid-Autumn Festival (China, Vietnam, East Asia) • •

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When: Date varies (usually late September, based on lunar calendar) What: Also known as the Moon Festival. Families gather to admire the full harvest moon, light lanterns, and eat mooncakes (sweet pastries filled with lotus paste or red bean).

Significance: Symbolises unity, abundance, and giving thanks for the harvest. It’s one of the most important traditional festivals in East Asia.

Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany) • •

•

When: Begins late September and lasts ~16 days into October What: World’s largest beer festival, with Bavarian folk music, parades, traditional outfits (lederhosen & dirndls), and massive beer tents.

Significance: Originally held in 1810 for a royal wedding, it has grown into a global cultural event attracting millions.

October: Ghent Film Festival (Film Fest Gent, Belgium) • •

•

When: Mid-October (annual, founded in 1974) What: One of Europe’s most respected film festivals, known for its strong focus on film music and scores. It hosts premieres, international competitions, concerts, and guest directors from around the world.

Significance: A major cultural event in Belgium, it has become internationally renowned for celebrating the link between cinema and music.

Halloween (Celtic origin / Western countries) • •

•

9

When: October 31 What: People dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins into jack-o’lanterns, decorate homes with spooky themes, and children go trick-or-treating. It evolved from the Celtic festival Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the belief that the boundary between the living and the spirit world was at its thinnest.

Over time, Christian influences reshaped it into All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. Significance: Today, Halloween blends ancient Celtic rituals, Christian practices, and folk traditions into a modern global celebration. It emphasises themes of death, spirits, and transformation, but also joy, creativity, and community fun. In the US and Europe, it’s one of the most commercially successful holidays, with strong cultural imagery like witches, ghosts, and skeletons.

November: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Mexico) • •

•

When: November 1–2 What: Families build colorful altars (ofrendas) with food, flowers (marigolds), and photos to honor deceased relatives.

Streets fill with parades, costumes, and decorated sugar skulls (calaveras).

Significance: A joyful celebration of life and remembrance, blending indigenous Aztec rituals with Catholic All Saints’ and All Souls’ traditions.

US Thanksgiving • •

•

When: 4th Thursday in November What: Families gather for a large meal (turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie). It traces back to a 1621 harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

Significance: Symbolises gratitude and community, though it is also a subject of debate regarding colonial history and Indigenous peoples.

Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night, United Kingdom) • •

•

When: November 5 What: Commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Marked by fireworks, bonfires, and effigies (“Guys”) burned.

Significance: Both a historical commemoration and a popular autumn festivity, symbolising the survival of Parliament and monarchy, but also a cultural night of community gathering and fireworks.

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2025 Female Fall Fashion Trends Simple wearable trends for the season

Suede and faux fur Two of Fall 2025’s biggest texture stories are suede and faux fur.

Suede steps beyond boots and jackets, showing up in skirts, dresses, and wide-leg trousers in warm earth tones and jewel shades. Faux fur, meanwhile, takes centre stage in plush coats, cropped jackets, and bold accessories — delivering glamour with an eco-conscious twist.

Together, they strike the season’s perfect balance: rustic meets luxe.

A suede trench with a faux fur collar, or a suede skirt paired with a furry bomber, feels indulgent yet wearable.

Insider tip: Invest in one suede piece and one faux fur statement jacket — they’ll carry you from day to night all season long.

Minimalism Fall 2025 proves that less really is more. Minimalism returns with clean lines, sharp tailoring, and a neutral palette of black, ivory, camel, and gray. Think perfectly cut turtlenecks, wide-leg trousers, and sleek outerwear with zero fuss.

It’s about investment pieces that mix and match effortlessly — a capsule wardrobe built on timeless staples. The focus is polish, not excess.

Insider tip: Choose one impeccable coat or blazer and build around it with simple, high-quality basics.

Sequins

Sequins are no longer just for parties — Fall 2025 makes them an everyday statement. Designers are scattering sparkle across blazers, slip dresses, knitwear, and even denim, proving shimmer can be subtle or bold.

The key is versatility: pair a sequin skirt with a chunky sweater for day, or go full glam with a sequined dress at night. Micro-sequins and muted metallics keep the look polished, not flashy.

Insider tip: Add one sequined piece to your wardrobe — a top, skirt, or blazer — and let it do the talking.

11

2025 Male Fall Fashion Trends Linen pants Lightweight, breathable, and timeless, linen pants are a men’s wardrobe staple that transition seamlessly into Fall 2025.

Designers are reworking them in relaxed, wide-leg cuts, often paired with blazers or chunky knits for a refined yet laid-back vibe.

Neutral shades — beige, stone, navy — keep the look versatile, while darker tones like charcoal and olive bring linen into cooler months. The fabric’s natural texture adds depth without trying too hard.

Insider tip: Swap jeans for tailored linen trousers and pair them with loafers or clean sneakers for an instant style upgrade.

Quarter zips The quarter zip has become a menswear must-have, bridging the gap between casual and polished. For Fall 2025, it’s showing up in luxe fabrics — merino wool, cashmere blends, and sleek technical knits — making it more versatile than ever.

Wear it solo with trousers for a clean look, or layer under a blazer or coat for modern prep vibes. Neutral tones dominate, but rich autumn shades like burgundy and forest green give the piece seasonal punch.

Insider tip: Invest in one premium quarter zip — it’s the easiest way to elevate off-duty style without losing comfort.

Monochrome colours Fall 2025 leans into the power of monochromatic looks — outfits built head-to-toe in a single color or tone. Whether it’s all-black sophistication, creamy neutrals, or rich autumn shades like burgundy or navy, the effect is instantly elevated and elongating.

The key is to mix textures — think wool with silk, suede with knits — to keep the look dynamic while staying within one color family.

Insider tip: Start simple with all-black or all-beige, then experiment with bolder shades once you’ve mastered the formula.

12

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL International Men’s Day International Men’s Day is an annual international event marked and celebrated on the 19th of November each year.

The event itself was originally inaugurated in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 and has backing from UNESCO. In the United Kingdom, three key themes have been adopted to allow as many organisations and people as possible to take part.

IMD in the UK gives everyone who wants to celebrate and mark this event the opportunity to help work towards IMD UK’s shared themes and the six international key pillars which are applied to men and boys irrespective of their age, social background, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexuality, gender identity and relationship status.

IMD also takes a gender inclusive approach, and therefore also believes in resolving the issues that affect women and girls.

2025 Themes:

Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys.

Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing.

Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity.

Upcoming Amnesty Events: nd

World Aids Day - Tuesday 2 December World Aids Day is to help raise awareness and funds of HIV/AIDS, honour those affected, and promote research to help combat the diseases. th th Amnesty Write for Rights - 8 - 12 December Every year, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign brings together people from around the world to fight injustice and support people whose human rights are under threat. This year’s campaign features people from around the world who are all connected because their human rights have been violated.

By writing letters, signing petitions and sharing stories, you can demand justice calling decision makers to do the right thing.

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Book Festival Monday 13th to Friday 17th October KS3 authors

Katya Balen

Chris Vick Patrice Lawrence

Anthony McGowan

Victoria Williamson Marieke Nijkamp

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Book Festival Monday 13th to Friday 17th October

Year 10 Authors Patrice Lawrence

Victoria Williamson

Year 11 Authors Patrice Lawrence

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Marieke Nijkamp

Book Festival Monday 13th to Friday 17th October

Important Information

All year groups will meet poet Matt Goodfellow.

Year 12 and Year 13 will have the opportunity to sign up to see Marieke Nijkamp and Matt Goodfellow.

Plus ALL students have the chance to have breakfast (08.15-08.55) with one of these authors: Chris Vick, Anthony McGowan, Katya Balen, Victoria Williamson and Patrice Lawrence.

Years 10 to 13: If you are interested send an email to Anne Steadman (asteadman@britishschool.be) as soon as possible telling who you would like to meet.

Matt Goodfellow

Poetry Slam

Friday 17th - Lunchtime At The Glade Hosted by Matt Goodfella inspired by Curious Creative Wild Minds “I Slam, Therefore I Am! “

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PRIMARY

Liz Million

Leo Timmers

Pieter Gaudesaboos

Katya Balen

Paddy Donnelly

Victoria Williamson Patrice Lawrence

Matt Goodfellow

Written by: Ece Beril Ciklacekic Sophie Benham Helena Braulio de Melo Marc Cerrahoglu

Facilitator: Ali Clarke