Little cooks mix up fun

Geelong Lutheran College three-year-olds Elsie , Eadie , Zachariah and Austin mix a bowl of pancake batter. (Louisa Jones) 228222_03

Article written prior to the announcement of Victoria’s five-day lockdown.

Geelong Lutheran College’s three-year-old kinder kids had an early go at making pancakes on Wednesday ahead of Shrove Tuesday next week.

Traditionally, the kinder celebrates the occasion with its four-year-old pupils instead, teacher Raelene Roede explained.

“The batter was very lumpy and not edible at all,” she laughed.

“But it was good practice for next year.”

The college plans to celebrate the occasion next Monday and on the day itself in what will be more than an average Shrove Tuesday, according to Raelene

“It’s our first community event in almost 12 months,” she said.

“We haven’t been able to have parent helpers in since COVID hit. Last year they could only say goodbye at the door.”

“Normally we have our hall packed for our Christmas concert in December. Of course last year we had to modify that into a video to share.”

Raelene enjoys watching the kids learn during the “hands on” celebration.

“We let them do all the mixing, crack the eggs, pour the milk and actually flip the pancakes,” she said.

“Some children have done some cooking at home, you can see it when they’re cracking the eggs and mixing the batter.

“The first time we hold the pan with them and help them flip it.

“Then it can get messy. Sometimes they can miss and it will fly out of the pan. It can be quite fun to watch – you never know where they’re going to land.”

Shrove Tuesday originates from the Christian festival of Lent but since spread into popular culture.

Luke Voogt