School Life in France - to bake or not to bake....

Somewhat naively, it has to be said, we assumed that French schools would not go down the Bake Sale fund-raising route.  Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that there is a boulangerie on every corner selling cakes that, let’s face it, we could only hope to produce in our dreams.  Sadly, this is not generally the case - especially if you choose an international school for your little darling(s).

Bake Sales, are at some point in most parents lives, inevitable.  And, as sure as eggs are eggs, if you don’t contribute then your children are mortified and the PTA hate you and if you do contribute then, without fail, your contribution looks like something the cat threw up. The end result is that your children are not only embarrassed by you and, in some extreme but not unheard of cases, scarred for life.  In a nutshell, you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

Of course, it’s a given that your child will remind you at 8pm the evening before that you are expected to produce a tasty masterpiece for the following day.  To avoid major panics we now stockpile a selection of sprinkles, marshmallows, popcorn, food colouring, cup cake cases, bars of chocolate, ribbons and sweetie bags. If it looks good the marauding groups of children assume that it tastes good too and you will avoid the shame of having to take your efforts back home with you whilst your child scowls at you (or worse, sobs) in the rear view mirror.

If you don’t have children or have passed the Evil Bake Sale point in your life then skip this blog post, open a bottle of wine and run around the garden in your undies congratulating yourself on successfully getting through this particularly stressful phase of your life.

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If you would like to have a chat about the educational options available in Bordeaux for your children then please don't hesitate to drop us an email.  We have considerable experience of international schools (Bordeaux International School, Montessori International School Bordeaux etc), private French schools and state schooling in Bordeaux and surrounding areas and are more than happy to share.

We also know where to source all the equipment, sprinkles and chocolate chips required for your bake sale delicacies and, if necessary, exactly where to buy (and how to "personalise") these goodies if you don't have the time, or inclination, to bake yourself!   #notcheatingreally