Pupils and their families have celebrated their part in a 'family of nations' during a celebratory lunch for the Queen's birthday.

Eastern Daily Press: Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Families eat together in the playground.Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Families eat together in the playground. (Image: Archant)

Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch for pupils, staff and parents on Friday, offering a buffet loaded with dishes from around the world.

Almost all of the 220 pupils at the school, on the Redcastle Furze estate, attended with their families, dressing up in Commonwealth costume alongside their teachers.

Headteacher Dr Andy Sheppard said: 'Rather than just doing something to celebrate the Queen's birthday, we have made it about the Commonwealth as well, with costumes and food from different areas.

'We wanted to celebrate that she is not just the Queen of England, she is the head of the Commonwealth.

Eastern Daily Press: Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Pictured: Staff members Debbie Sheppard, Stacey Knock, Veronica Quamina, Dionne Bull and Rebecca Vasey serve up lunch.Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Pictured: Staff members Debbie Sheppard, Stacey Knock, Veronica Quamina, Dionne Bull and Rebecca Vasey serve up lunch. (Image: Archant)

'It links in with the idea that we are a family school – in the Commonwealth we are a family of nations.'

Dr Sheppard and head cook Tina Westgarth formulated the menu for the day which included food from Australia, India, Singapore and Jamaica, with noodles, kebabs, curry, burgers and sandwiches on offer.

After making their way around the food stalls, families sat at long lunch tables in the playground to eat and chat.

Australian cork hats, Union Jack-printed items and saris were among the most popular costume choices.

Eastern Daily Press: Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Pictured: headteacher Dr Andy Sheppard, deputy head Liz Russell and Pat Pearson, chair of governors.Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Pictured: headteacher Dr Andy Sheppard, deputy head Liz Russell and Pat Pearson, chair of governors. (Image: Archant)

Dr Sheppard said: 'The families have really make the effort, and most of the governors have come along as well.

'We have also had around 20 elderly people come from the sheltered accommodation across the road. We invited them to join us as they are part of the community and the family of the estate.'

Through the year the school holds celebrations for other cultural holidays including Independence Day and Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year, and Hanukkah.

Dr Sheppard said the Commonwealth-themed birthday party was in-keeping with these celebrations of other countries.

Eastern Daily Press: Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Families queue for lunch.Redcastle Family School in Thetford held a Commonwealth lunch party to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday. Families queue for lunch. (Image: Archant)