Gordano School’s 70th anniversary celebrations got off to a delicious start as students showcased their creativity, teamwork and House spirit in the Gordano70 Celebration Cake Bake Off, the first interhouse event of the academic year, part of Gordano’s House Championships.

With Gordano celebrating 70 years since opening its doors in 1956, the competition marked the beginning of a special year of activities honouring the school’s past, celebrating its community and inspiring the next generation.

Students were invited to submit designs for a special anniversary cake inspired by the Gordano70 theme, with finalists selected to bring their ideas to life. The results were a fantastic display of imagination, creativity and pride in their Houses, with each design offering a unique take on this milestone anniversary.

The competition was organised by Mrs Coggins, with guest judges Shannah and Charlie from local bakery Pullins taking on the difficult task of choosing the winners. A huge thank you goes to them for giving up their time, and to Angela Pullin for generously donating prizes for the competition.

The Bake Off was filmed and presented by House Captains Connor, Maggie and Josh, helping to capture the excitement and make the event a memorable start to the school’s anniversary year.

Congratulations to our winners!

First place: Isla F., 8B1 – Biscay

 

Second place: Sienna Aston R., 8L1 – Lundy

Third place: Seren W., 7S1 – Shannon

Fourth place: Portland

Fifth place: Fitzroy

Well done to everyone who took part! Whether students submitted a design, made it through to the final or supported their House, the event was a brilliant opportunity to get involved, try something new and celebrate one another’s achievements.

The House Championships: bringing Gordano together

The House Championships are a key part of Gordano’s commitment to fostering a strong sense of belonging, connection and community across the school. With a variety of events planned throughout the year, there will be opportunities for students of all ages and interests to participate, discover new talents and represent their Houses.

While a healthy dose of competition is part of the fun, the Championships are about much more than winning. They encourage teamwork, togetherness, supporting one another and celebrating the achievements of others, helping students build connections beyond their usual friendship groups and year groups.

Above all, Gordano wants to celebrate those who have the confidence to give something a go. Every contribution matters, and taking part, trying something new and championing fellow students are just as important as the final results.

The Cake Bake Off was a fantastic example of this spirit in action, combining creativity, collaboration and friendly competition while launching a year of exciting House events.

Headteacher Louise Blundell said: “At Gordano, community is at the heart of everything we do. Our House system is a wonderful way to bring students together, helping them build friendships, support one another and feel part of something bigger than themselves. The House Championships are about celebrating participation, effort and teamwork just as much as achievement, and it has been fantastic to see students embracing the opportunity to get involved. As we celebrate 70 years of Gordano, we want to recognise the people and connections that make our school so special, while creating new memories together for the future.”

70 years of Gordano and a year of celebrations ahead

The Cake Bake Off is just the beginning of Gordano70: Honouring our Past, Inspiring our Future.

Throughout the 2026/27 academic year, Gordano School will be bringing its community together to celebrate seven decades of learning, friendships, achievements and opportunities. Students, staff, families, alumni and local partners will all have opportunities to get involved and contribute to the school’s ongoing story.

Planned celebrations include Gordano Through the Decades, with special anniversary-themed menus created in partnership with Aspens, taking students and staff on a culinary journey through the school’s history. The first menu, celebrating the 1950s and 1960s, will launch in November.

The school is also inviting former students and staff to share their memories and stories, helping to build a lasting archive that celebrates the people and experiences that have shaped Gordano over the years. Alongside this, creative projects, community contributions and opportunities to reconnect with former classmates and colleagues will help bring the school’s rich history to life.

The celebrations will build towards a special Creative Arts Festival in summer 2027, bringing together students, families, alumni and community partners for a celebration of Gordano’s past, present and future.

As the school looks ahead to the next chapter of its story, Gordano70 is an opportunity to recognise the generations of people who have made Gordano what it is today and to celebrate the opportunities, connections and achievements still to come.

Here’s to 70 years of Gordano, hundreds of stories, one Gordano community