19-20. Puzzles and Quiz 21. Creative Writing 22. Remembrance Poem
23. Pride Society Cake Decorating
24. Recipe: Pond Pudding
25. Concourse Conversation
By Evie W, Upper Sixth
by Lily C-D, Upper Sixth
As the days grew shorter and the leaves turned gold, the KES students had another great autumn term. Our corridors were buzzing with production rehearsals, revision sessions, and the flow of school life One of the biggest highlights of the term was our school production of Legally Blonde Students across the school worked hard to bring the upbeat, feel-good musical to life- from the cast perfecting their lines and choreography to the backstage crew designing sets, costumes, and lighting. Congratulations to all for the final performance and the creativity and teamwork that made the production so special The Sixth Form came together to raise money for ‘Movember’ by growing facial hair and were joined by the whole school to participate in a house competition of rowing and cycling, to raise awareness for the important topic of men's mental health
Autumn also marked an important milestone for our examyear students, with mock examinations being held for our GCSE and A level students While this period can be challenging, it was also an opportunity to build confidence, practise exam techniques, and understand where to focus revision in the months ahead Our teachers, tutors, and support staff were on hand every step of the way, and we’re proud of the dedication shown.
As Christmas is now fast approaching, the trees have gone up around the school and houses are busy preparing for the Christmas song competition in anticipation of the last day of term. We hope everyone has an amazing well deserved break, and a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! We're looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!
Photographs
WINTER FESTIVALS
BY ADAM K, YEAR 11
WINTER IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS, BOTH RELIGIOUS AND NON-RELIGIOUS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE JEWISH FESTIVAL OF HANUKKAH CELEBRATES, OR WHY BODHI DAY IS SIGNIFICANT IN BUDDHISM? READ ON TO FIND OUT!
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, similar in a way to Diwali of Hinduism. It’s a very important celebration that can be found in the Hebrew calendar, and is usually celebrated in late November or early December This year, Hanukkah begins on 25th December (Christmas Day!) It commemorates the Maccabean Revolt, which was when Jews fought for their freedom against the Greek-Syrian army in Jerusalem. The story goes that there was very little oil in the menorah (lamp) - just enough for one day However, according to legend, it burned for a total of eight full nights before going out! For this reason, Hanukkah is celebrated over 8 days
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a Chinese festival that is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar It is always a full moon in the middle of the autumn (hence the name), but the exact date changes every year because the date follows the Chinese Lunar Calendar In 2025, the Mid-Autumn festival is on 6 October The Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese New Year, Qing-Ming Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival are the Four Great Traditional Chinese Festivals.
The most important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival is being together with your family On the evening of the festival, people go home to eat supper with their families Every member of the family must be present, otherwise it is not complete Crabs, foods containing osmanthus flowers and mooncakes are commonly eaten
The sweet osmanthus tree flowers in the autumn, so enjoying the blossoms is also a tradition Its flowers have a delicious fragrance and are included in cakes and sweets As the festival is always on a full moon, another tradition is gazing at the moon The festival is also about celebrating the harvest
Different regions have different traditions regarding the Mid-Autumn Festival Some people still pray to the moon goddess for protection, children, and wealth In Zhejiang, people watch a particularly strong tide come in on the Qiantang River. The tide is observable for a large part of the year, but it is strongest around the MidAutumn Festival. In Guangdong, children make paper lanterns. In Hong Kong, the dragon dance is performed. In Beijing, children get rabbit dolls.
The Mid-Autumn Festival has its roots in an ancient festival used to worship the moon god In modern times, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a national holiday in China
1 To make the dough, mix the sugar, bicarbonate of soda, honey and egg together until the mixture turns pale.
2.Then add the vegetable oil slowly. Add a little, and mix evenly before adding more. Continue until all the oil has been incorporated.
3.Mix the flour into the oil mixture. Don’t knead it normally; just knead enough for it to form a rough dough.
4.To make the filling, roast and roughly chop the nuts.
5.Add all the other filling ingredients, except cold water. Sieve the flour to get rid of lumps.
6.Add cold water. Mix all the filling ingredients together so it sticks together.
7.Roll the filling into balls. They should be a bit smaller than a ping pong ball and weigh about 25g.
8 Roll the dough into balls (about 25g)
9 Flatten a ball of dough and wrap it around the filling Roll the mooncake around in your hands so it becomes smooth
10 Press the mooncake into a mould, to impress a design into the surface (This is optional ) Repeat steps 9-11 for all the remaining dough and filling.
11.Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
12.First bake the mooncakes for 5 minutes. Take them out of the oven and brush with egg wash. Then put them back into the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. The exact baking time depends on the size of the mooncakes and your oven. Take them out when they turn golden brown.
60g white sugar
3g bicarbonate of soda
50g honey
40g egg (1 small egg, both egg white and egg yolk)
120g vegetable oil
300g plain flour
260g mixed nuts (chopped and roasted)
100g dried fruit
35g white sugar
50g honey
60g cooked vegetable oil
80g roasted plain flour
20ml cold water
1 egg yolk
5g oil
5g water
FIRST TERM AT KES
WRITTEN BY CLAUDIA C, YEAR 7
PHOTOS BY AKASH R, YEAR 7 AND AALIYA A, YEAR 11
So far, my first term at KES has been amazing! It’s been really easy to make friends especially with the activities we did in tutor Everyone, even the teachers, are really nice, helping me and my group get around the school, and easing us into homework!
The actual school is really nice, especially the Wellbeing Centre and Library They are very nice to chill and work in, making school more comfortable I love that if you’re ever struggling, you can go to the Wellbeing Centre and talk to someone.
The lessons are really fun and the teachers always come up with enjoyable ways to learn
I interviewed some other Year 7 students to see if they felt the same:
Q: What has your first term been like at KES?
Tiggy: So far, KES has been really good, I’ve made some really good friends already and it’s been really easy to settle in
Madelaine: Great, I was nervous at first, but the lessons are fun
Alex: I’ve enjoyed it Some things have been harder than others but I’ve really liked it so far.
Cheikh: At first I was nervous but I settled in quite quickly and from then it’s been really fun going to school
Q: Has it been hard to find your way around?
Tiggy: At first yes, but people are always there to help you and you get a tour which is helpful
Alex: For the first few days it was hard, but you get used to it All the people I’ve talked to are really nice
Cheikh: For the first few days it was difficult but the teachers are nice and let you off being late for the first couple of weeks
Q: Do you have any advice to the new year 7s yet to come?
Tiggy: Make sure to talk to people; don’t be shy Having friends makes school life more enjoyable
Madelaine: Print out a version of your timetable and a map of the school: it’s very helpful if you get lost!
Alex: If you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask someone about it
Cheikh: Don’t think you ’ re the only one worried, everyone is, it’s just that some people show it more than others
The short answer is: backstage is a whole different world, with its own rules and vocabulary. While you look at the actors singing their hearts out on stage, the crew operateslighting,sound,movessetandprops
Staying behind the curtains you can hear a different sociolect, we say phrases like: “stand by” ; “the house is open” and “cue” for efficiency and to describe actions you typically would not need in other contexts. The crew also takes care of the small props and costumes, rearranging large trucks (the wheeled platforms), fixing makeup and hair,nevernotbeingexcitedaboutachangescene,despitehavingrehearsedtheorder dozensoftimesbefore.
Workingbackstageteachesyoulotsofnewskills,youlearntolistenandcooperatewith the team, helping each other out if the cue has been missed or moving to a correct markintotalblackout.Mostofthesethingshavetobedoneincompletesilence,staying focused on your surroundings to make sure that the set does not interrupt the performance.Withtimebeinglimitedandcurtainsbeingquitecrowded,thethrillofthe performancealwaysleavesyouwantingmore.
Asamemberofthestagecrew,Iwillalwaysappreciatetheactorsthathelpusoutifwe are ever short of people. Actors can take over moving trucks or setting up props, while always staying positing and an absolute pleasure to work with. Seeing the play come together from beautiful choreography to perfectly-timed projections, everyone gets to reflectonthepleasureofteamwork,makingunforgettablememories
Ifyouareunsureabouttryingyourselfintheartoftheatre,stagecrewisagreatplace to start and feel the atmosphere of theatre building from the inside, gaining great transferableskillsandestablishingstrongconnections.
Since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022, artificial intelligence software, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), have undergone a period of rapid development that is steadily continuing to this day This sudden breakthrough has revolutionised the tech industry and brings with it promises to restructure the world for the better However, our society has thus far been ill-equipped to respond to the release of such an impactful technology and we ’ re therefore misusing it in almost every way. In our research, we ’ ve been using AI without reviewing its output at all; in our assignments, we ’ ve been using AI as a cheat code to completely avoid doing the task at hand; on the internet, we ’ ve been using AI to fuel a new wave of misinformation and degrading content. These developments make the release of what was meant to be a beneficial technology feel like a Pandora’s Box of sorts But it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way, so long as the people employing it are taught to do so in good faith and with knowledge of its risks.
The issue arises particularly in school environments, where an alarming number of pupils are using LLMs irresponsibly Instead of using it to enhance their learning, many are simply having it complete the task for them, providing little to no educational value. This misuse of AI often stems from people’s desire to take the easiest available option; although, it doesn’t take much consideration to realise that letting it do the work for you doesn’t benefit you or anybody else, and could result in a yellow card from the teacher should they find out (which, of course, you and everyone else would rather avoid)
An equally important but less obvious pitfall to avoid applies to AI’s use in research The tool can cut down a lot of the tedious work by save you from having to do extensive site-to-site navigation to find the information you need This, unlike it doing the work for you, is a useful application of LLMs, provided you verify its output thoroughly enough. However, chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini are infamous for generating
convincing hallucinations when the question is outside their field of data (Google’s AI overview has been known to suggest eating 1 rock per day, and smoking 2-3 cigarettes during pregnancy…). A better-quality AI software to use for research is perplexity.ai, since it is specifically trained for exactly that, and provides sources for its statements. Therefore, not only are you assured that the output is somewhat reliable, but you can also use it as a backdoor into web pages on the subject that you would be unable to find on your own Additionally, it can offer its own interpretations on the sources, which can assist with your work. So, you may well ask, what is the issue with using it for this?
Well, the key issue arises when one places blind trust in the credibility of the AI’s output: not only does it have the capacity to conjure random and out-of-the-blue statements (as has been mentioned), but it can also have a bad impact on your critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is one of the most important abilities that you need
to develop, and education is a way to build it The assumption that one needs not to put in any effort in verifying the AI’s comments degrades this ability; this cannot be emphasised enough. Even Perplexity, though it is geared to assisting with research, still has the capability to make things up, even if far less so than ChatGPT and the likes.
Another important thing we must factor in is sustainability: I should encourage you to use LLM queries sparingly – try to get as much of the information you need out of a single prompt, to avoid excessive energy consumption. The truth is, we have no idea how much energy is really used per search, since AI tech firms have been safeguarding the details. According to Google, each prompt issued to Gemini consumes 0.24 watt hours, or the equivalent of powering a microwave for 1 second. However, we have no way of knowing if this is true or not, since it is in the company ’ s best interest to lie about the true scale of the energy at hand, or at least to skew their data far down to the lower end of the estimates.
This talk of Google also leads me into my final note, a continuation of what I’ve said earlier – please don’t use their AI overview, it’s wholly unreliable, being known to derive information from forum sites and satirical publications. You can avoid it by putting “-ai” at the end of each search you make, or, better yet, switching to a different browser I use Ecosia, which dedicates its revenue to planting trees – it does have AI summaries, but they do cite sources and can be disabled in the ‘Settings’ tab.
So next time you go to use AI, check that you are using it responsibly!
DOES SOCIAL MEDIA
DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
By Miriam K, Year 10
Have you ever seen something online that made you change something about yourself? Well, it happens all the time. It ranges from people seeing something and buying it, to more extremes like the well known quote from Kate Moss “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” which could be seen as promoting eating disorders. Eating disorders, such as anorexia, are a big reason for how the media may be harming us more than helping us.
Over 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders. Between 2015 and 2021 hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 84%. That’s a significant increase that is getting very severe but sadly still rising. This frequently starts from seeing things online that make people fall into a trap where they develop issues with food Eating disorders are mainly more frequent in girls than boys but still happen to both genders The trap can start when someone sees a video about weight loss and suddenly feels like they aren’t meeting beauty standards This isn’t okay and shouldn’t be what it is like but it has ended up this way
Sport in Focus:
NETBALL
Emma R, Upper Sixth, tells us all about her favourite sport and how you can get involved.
Did you know?
Whether you want fitness or fun, netball is always the superior choice. It’s a non contact, team game played with 7 players focused on passing, shooting and teamwork Originating in the late 19th century as a women’s variation of basketball, it has grown into an internationally recognised game with millions of participants across the world. Today, netball is played in over 80 countries and is particularly popular in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of the Caribbean It is ever evolving into faster versions like Fast5 to make it even more entertaining to watch and play
At higher levels, netball becomes a highly strategic sport. Teams use structured centre-pass routines, defensive setups like zone or man-to-man marking, and attacking patterns to break down strong opponents Communication is vital, with players coordinating movements to maintain flow and prevent turnovers.
In recent netball news, Australia were crowned champions of the World Youth Cup held in Gibraltar, defeating New Zealand in the final England finished third England claimed the Nations Cup title with a win over South Africa in the final of this early-year international tournament.
1891 – The game was invented in the USA and called basketball.
1897 – Netball was played for the first time.
1900 – The Physical Education Association creates the first set of rules
1926 - The All England NetBall Association is formed.
1932 – The first national competition was played.
BOOK REVIEWS
The murderer
is never the one you
suspect...
Murder Most Unladylike is a thrilling and mysterious book, full of excitement, clever twists, and wonder. It is written by Robin Stevens, a brilliant author with lots of creative ideas and a great imagination
The story follows a curious young girl named Hazel Wong and her best friend Daisy Wells, who both attend Deepdean Boarding School for Girls Life at school seems perfectly ordinary lessons, teachers, rules, and the usual school drama until everything suddenly changes. One afternoon, Hazel makes a shocking discovery: she finds her science teacher, Miss Bell, lying motionless in the school gym But when Hazel rushes back with Daisy, the body has completely vanished, as if nothing ever happened
Reviewed by Isabel T, Year 7
Confused but determined, Hazel and Daisy decide to get to the bottom of the mystery. They form their own detective society and begin a daring investigation, using their wits, observation skills, and teamwork to search for clues As they dig deeper, they uncover secrets hiding in the corridors of Deepdean, encounter suspicious teachers and students, and realise that anyone could be the culprit.
The book is packed with suspense, tension, and clever red herrings It also shows the strength of Hazel and Daisy’s friendship as they learn to trust each other, even when things get dangerous or confusing Every chapter keeps you guessing, and just when you’re certain you’ve solved the case, a new twist changes everything. After all, the murderer is never the one you expect.
Have you ever wondered why you have conflicts with and can’t seem to get along with some people, but with others you have the best conversations and get along with really easily? If you really want to get along with more people and understand them then “Surrounded by Idiots” is the book for you.
“Surrounded by Idiots” is an international bestseller, written by Thomas Erikson, a behavioural expert, Swedish author and a keynote speaker. He focuses on analysing and making human behaviour easier to understand.
Within the first few pages, Erikson writes about his experiences as a child and teenager, back when he looked at those who disagreed with him as “idiots” and those that agreed with him and could easily talk to him as “good” people When Erikson was 25, he was told to do an interview with a self-employed man in his sixties Sture had founded his own business and when they were talking about how things were functioning in his organisation, Sture said that he was “surrounded by idiots” He continued to talk about how his employees were “arrogant windbags” and “tedious blockheads” From Erikson’s point of view, he could easily see how wrong these thoughts were Erikson, being completely unaware, asked, “Who hired all these idiots?” Sture, in a rage, threw him out
This was truly when Erikson really thought about this man’s views and soon came to a realisation that no one could go through life constantly thinking they were surrounded by idiots It would make their potential in life so limited
So he decided to explore the different personalities, using the DISA or DISC method. He categorises the different personalities into 4 colours, Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. You can see which colour you are or have the most of in your personality, by seeing if you have any similar characteristics and traits.
Red Dominant, Driven, Decisive and Determined Yellow Inspiring, Optimistic, Creative and Communicative
Green Calm, Thoughtful, Stable, and Friendly Blue Cautious, Accurate, Logical and Detailoriented
Reviewed by Lehansa W, Year 9
Around 5% of people have only one colour, whilst 80% have a combination of 2 that dominate their behaviour Approximately, 15% are largely 3 colours
The most common is entirely Green or Green in combination with another, while Red or Red in combination with another colour is the least common
You can see which colour dominates your behaviour by answering these questions
1.Are you introverted or extroverted?
2.Are you more logical or emotional?
If you said extroverted, then you’re either a Red or a Yellow, but if you said introverted then you’re more Green or Blue If you said you’re more emotional, then you’re either a Green or a Yellow, but if you said logical then you’re either a Blue or a Red
If you want to really understand each of the colours and people, I highly recommend this book!
FestiveFilms
WONDERING WHAT TO WATCH THIS WINTER? HERE ARE SOME OF OUR WRITERS’ FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS...
Home Alone: recommended by Mia D, Year 11
Home Alone is a Christmas classic The film represents a young child’s dream with a boy who wakes to find his family has disappeared and he is all by himself; but then has to protects his home from robbers. Personally I love Home Alone because of the nostalgic feeling it brings For me, the perfect way to start Christmas is to put the tree up whilst watching Home Alone Whilst the younger version of myself watched the movie, she came to like the bravery that the protagonist showed throughout it. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to be in the Christmas spirit and wants to be taken back to their childhood
Home Alone 2: recommended by Shana G, Year 11
Home Alone 2 has been my favourite Christmas film for a long time for multiple reasons I first watched it when I was around five to seven years old. At the time I didn’t understand why I loved so much I only knew that it would forever be my favourite .Now that I am older I realise why I loved it so much at the time. One reason: cinematography. My love for New York and movies set in the wonderful city only added to this reason The movie shows the thought train of kids which can be naïve and easily trusting, whilst also showing the fun and imaginative parts We are able to see the world through Kevin’s eyes: the parts that scare him and the parts that bring him joy, such as movies, ice cream and sweets We learn that Kevin is also incredibly creative and thinks outside the box lot of the time. Despite all of this, my all time favourite aspect of this Christmas movie is the message that Christmas is pointless if not spent with loved ones.
The Grinch: recommended by Sam, Upper Sixth
The Grinch is my favourite Christmas film because the way the Grinch goes from being the angry, grumpy outsider who hates Christmas to being included in the Who’s Christmas celebrations perfectly shows the happiness and joy that comes with Christmas I also always used to love the gadgets the Grinch uses in the animated version to steal Christmas. The kindness that Cindy-Lou and the other Whos show towards the Grinch even though he stole their Christmas sums up the magic of Christmas and the importance of family The Grinch also has an important message; that love and togetherness- not things- are what truly matter. Christmas cannot be ruined by just stealing presents and decorations and that happiness really comes from being with the people you love
Elf: recommended by Lily, Upper Sixth
Elf is my favourite Christmas movie because it perfectly captures the magic and joy of the holiday season with some humour snuck in there. Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy, the overenthusiastic human raised by elves at the North Pole, is pure comedy His childlike innocence and belief in the spirit of Christmas creates a magical atmosphere that never fails to make me smile The film blends quirky characters, heartwarming moments, and hilarious situations in a way that feels both nostalgic and refreshing every time I watch it Plus, the mix of festive music, colourful scenes, and the message about the importance of family and kindness makes Elf the ultimate holiday classic that I can watch over and over again
GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT
By Claudia C, Year 7
Christmas is around the corner, and you might be starting to think about what to get your friends and family. If you’re stuck for ideas, here is a list of potential suggestions for what to give your loved ones!
Take some time to observe what this person likes. Some of the most favoured presents are the ones that really make a difference in someone’s life
Personalised gifts are also very admired and loving Things like engraved jewellery or artworks are often adored
Additionally, you can consider gifting something that relates to a specific experience you and that person have had together This shows the lucky person that you really thought about the gift!
For family/kids, if you need help thinking of a specific present, use the four-gift rule: want, need, wear and read. This simple rule can be very helpful when Christmas shopping!
Shopping for that perfectionist who loves that “practical and aesthetic” life? Perhaps gifts for their bedroom/house could be something to think about. For example, you could get an air purifier, cozy blanket or a light up photo frame!
If all else fails to interest you, an experience would put a smile on their face, like tickets to a concert! Finally, novelty gifts and gift cards always are an option to contemplate
Using these tips and tricks, everyone you know will have a perfect present underneath their tree; for you, this year, are the one spreading the holiday cheer!
Need a last-minute Christmas card? Simply cut out along the dotted line, stick on to some plain card, fold in half and you have a perfect card to send to your family or friends! Card design by Letong S, Year 10.
CHRISTMAS PUZZLES
Christmas
Christmas Stocking
Wreath
Sleigh Holiday Merry
Ornaments Candy Cane
Santa Claus
Mistletoe Gingerbread
Reindeer
Quiz
compiled by Letong S, Year 10
Think you know your trivia? Take our end-ofyear quiz to find out!
1. What is the most watched show on Netflix?
2. Who won Celebrity Traitors this year?
3. When was KES founded?
4. What is Taylor Swift’s latest album called?
5. Who was the world’s most played artist on Spotify in 2025?
6. Who won the Ballon d’Or 2025?
7. What world record did Mondo Duplantis break in the Paris 2024
Olympics?
8. What is the capital city of Venezuela?
9. What is the name of the highest navigable lake in the world?
10. When will the next supermoon occur?
Answers on the back page
THE AWAITING DARKNESS
NarrativewritingbyIsabelT,Year7
The golden meadow swayed beneath the tender gaze of the early sun. Light spilledacrossthelandlikehoney,coatingeverybladeofgrassinwarmth Asoft breezewhisperedthroughthetallflowers,bendingthemgracefullyasifnature itself were breathing Along the edges of the clearing, emerald trees shimmered,theirleavesdancingtothequietrhythmoftheearth’sheartbeat.In the corner, two hazel spotted deer grazed in silence, their coats glinting under themorninglight.Abovethem,birdsliftedtheirsongsintothesky,stitchingthe dawntogetherwiththreadsofsound Thesunrosehigher,breakingthroughthe mist like a slow, golden promise. I stood there, caught between awe and ache. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if time had paused as if nothing in the world couldevergowrong.
But everything was wrong. My dreams lay scattered, my hopes dimmed to embers,andmyfamily theheartofallIoncewas hadbecomeamemory too painful to touch. The world I loved had vanished, leaving me standing here amongghosts
And yet, this place this light, this stillness wrapped around me like an embrace I hadn’t known I needed. The breeze brushed my face, urging me to breathe again I closed my eyes and let the sounds of the meadow fill the hollow spaces inside me: the rustle of leaves, the hum of insects, the steady pulse of life continuing without me For the first time in so long, I felt something likepeace.
I knew I couldn’t stay. The world beyond this meadow would find me soon, heavy with my pain of what I had lost. But I wished I could remain just a little longer here,wheretheairtastedlikefreedomandthesunlightfeltkind.Here,I could almost believe that life could be beautiful again. So I made myself a promise:Iwouldcarrythismomentwithme theshimmerofdewonthegrass, the warmth of the sun, the song of morning woven through the air. When the darkness returned, as it always does, I would remember this place. I would rememberthatpeacestillexisted thatbeautycouldsurviveeventhefiercest storms.
Andmaybe,ifIheldontightlyenough,Icouldsurvivetoo
BY KIRA M, UPPER SIXTH
It was lovely to see so many students enjoy our Pride Society Cake decorating event.
In this session students had the opportunity to express their creative vision and decorate pastries with edible butterflies, lots of colourful sprinkles, as well as draw on biscuits and have a great chat about diversity at KES.
It was an absolute pleasure to see the beautiful works and hear so much laughter!
Chocolate Pond Pudding
by
Claudia C Year 7
This recipe was made by my Great Great Aunt and is a family favourite. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Self raising flour - 85g
Cocoa - 2 level tbsp
Eggs mixed together - 2
Vanilla essence - ½ tsp
Butter or margarine - 113g
Caster sugar - 113g
One pinch of salt
Milk or water (only if necessary) - 1-2 tbsp
For the sauce:
Soft brown sugar - 113g
Cocoa - 2 level tbsp
Hot water - 284ml
1.Preheat oven to 170*C fan or 380*F or gas mark 5
2. In a bowl, sift together your flour, cocoa and salt
3.In a separate bowl, cream together your butter and sugar until light
4.Gradually add your eggs and vanilla to the creamed butter, then fold in flour mixture
5.Spoon into a well buttered/greased 2 pint pie dish or similar, and make sure it is only half full
6.For your sauce, mix your brown sugar and cocoa
7.Stir in hot water
8.Pour your sauce over your cake batter
9.Put it in the oven for 40 minutes
10.If you like, serve with cream and strawberries/raspberries
11.Enjoy!
CONCOURSE CONVERSATION
As they finish the first term of their last year at KES, Kira M chats to some of our Upper Sixth about the mocks and their future plans.
Q: How did the mocks go? Do you think they are helpful?
Tim B: My experience was a bit varied, I think it is good that they have been put before the Christmas season Although mocks can be a little stressful but i think that opportunity that having a mock test is extremely helpful
Charles B: Not sure yet, as I do sciencebased subjects and it is difficult to predict my grade. Nevertheless, I appreciate having our mocks before Christmas as I can spend this time restingand spending time with my family.
Rosa S: Okay It is nice having them before Christmas as I can have a break instead of revising. It is also nice to know that they do not count towards UCAS and you can focus on improving your knowledge rather than just getting a good grade
Q : Which Uni are you hoping to go to and why?
Tim B: Edinburgh is my dream I fell in love with the city growing up as it is where my family is from and I look forward to experiencing the place that my family comes from.
Charles B: Lancaster! It is extremely unique and I will get a chance to be independent, explore a different part of Britain and grow in a new environment. It also allows me to study Nuclear Engineering, which is quite a niche course.
Rosa S: I am waiting to hear back from Cambridge. I would love to study music at Conservatoire. I am looking forward to gaining independence and meeting new people.
Q. How do you feel coming to an end of your time at KES?
Tim B: I do feel a bit melancholic leaving KES. As someone who experienced this many schools, I never felt like I belonged to a community more than here
Did you know...?
Charles B: NOOOOOO I am deeply saddened by the fact that I am leaving KES next year, as I spent 7 years here and would not have become the person I am without the support and the community we have here
Rosa S: Quite sad, I have been here since First Year and it has been a big chapter of my life so it is sad to leave it all behind but I am looking forward to the future.
GET INVOLVED
Do you have an idea for a great magazine article that would get the whole school talking? Are you passionateaboutabook,film,TVshow orgamethatyou’dlovetoreview?Why notwritesomethingforthenewissueof KESLife?
If you’re interested, email Mrs Arnold or comealongtoE5onFridaylunchtimes at 1.30 to get involved. There is no regular commitment required so you canwriteasmuchoraslittleasyoulike!
