Eating for Brain Brilliance
We welcomed families on Thursday 30 April for one of the most anticipated events in our wellbeing calendar: Brain Bootcamp 2026. The annual evening once again brought together parents, pupils and leading experts to explore how best to nourish the brain — this year with a special focus on the powerful connection between nutrition, immunity and the gut microbiome.
As a school committed to holistic, future‑focused education, Brain Bootcamp sits at the heart of our mission: helping young people understand how their minds and bodies work, and empowering families with the knowledge to support healthy, resilient learning.
Expert insight from two leading voices in nutrition
This year’s speakers brought exceptional expertise and a shared passion for supporting young people’s cognitive and emotional development through evidence‑based nutrition.
Lucinda Miller BSc, MGNI, MRNI, MH, FMU, AFMCP, founder and clinical lead of NatureDoc, opened the evening with a compelling exploration of how diet shapes brain function, immunity and long‑term wellbeing. Her clinic’s inclusive approach — particularly its understanding of neurodiversity and the nutritional challenges it can present — resonated strongly with our community’s values. Lucinda’s bestselling cookbooks, which focus on feeding the brain, immune system and gut microbiome, were available to purchase and sparked lively conversation among parents keen to bring her ideas into their own kitchens.
She was joined by Georgia Ridgway, Applied Sports Nutritionist at Accent Catering, whose recent research on the benefits of a high‑fibre diet offered practical, accessible strategies for families. Georgia’s insights into how Accent supports pupils with a balanced and thoughtful menu to boost concentration and mood provided a powerful complement to Lucinda’s functional medicine perspective.
A dynamic format designed for real‑world impact
The evening began in the Orangery with two engaging talks, where both speakers blended science with everyday application — a hallmark of Brain Bootcamp and a reflection of our school’s commitment to making complex ideas meaningful for young people.
After the talks, families moved into a relaxed recipe‑sharing and food‑tasting session, where Lucinda and Georgia answered questions, offered personalised guidance and showcased simple, nutritious dishes that support both brain and gut health. This informal setting encouraged conversation, curiosity and community — the very qualities we aim to cultivate in our pupils.
A community committed to wellbeing and learning
Brain Bootcamp 2026 reaffirmed what defines Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST: a belief that academic success is deeply connected to wellbeing, and that informed, empowered families help children thrive. By bringing together leading practitioners, practical strategies and a warm, collaborative atmosphere, the event once again demonstrated our commitment to nurturing confident, healthy, future‑ready young women.
We look forward to continuing this journey with our community — and to many more Brain Bootcamps that inspire both minds and menus.