SCHOOL GRATEFUL FOR BREAKFAST CLUB
Leonie Gray is the Business Manager at Wyndham Park Primary School. She talked to us about the positive impact that the club is making on students who come to school without having had any breakfast.
The school has 384 students. In 2016, parents of 211 students applied for camp, sports and excursion funding. This indicates the high level of low-income families in the area. The majority of parents have not been educated beyond Year 9 and hence their ability to generate a satisfactory and regular income is limited.
Why is it necessary to have a Breakfast Club?
- It allows the students to concentrate during the morning learning sessions.
- It encourages them to arrive at school early and be ready to learn.
- It supports the parents who find it difficult to supply a nutritious breakfast.
- It helps them to learn appropriate social skills e.g. manners, greetings, etiquette.
Breakfast is supplied every day of the school week. The following groups share the responsibilty:
- Monday - Rotary Club of Wyndham
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - Rotary Club of Werribee
- Friday - Red Cross
An average of 60 students are fed each morning.
FoodBank Victoria supplies food items such as Vita Brits, fruit salad and baked beans. The school provides other items such as bread, milk honey, margarine, vegemite and jam.
The teachers are grateful because it makes such a dramatic and positive difference to the child's learning capacity and to the general behaviour of the whole class.
Leonie expressed her thanks for the on-going efforts of the members, partners and friends. Without this support, there would be no breakfast which would have a negative impact on the child, the class, the teachers and the school. She paid tribute to Mim Micallef for being the initial force behind the program.
President Rob handed Leonie a cheque for $1150 which, in part, helps to make up for cuts to school funding.
All volunteers were presented with a certificate as a gesture of thanks for their help.
