PT ENGLAND SCHOOL POLICY 2005
HEALTHY FOOD
INTRODUCTION:
This policy covers food served in the school kitchen as well as food brought to school.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To increase the knowledge of school staff, students and parents about food, health and nutrition.
(This will not be a one off event, but an on-going process. Each time we change our approach we will have open discussion and debate)
2. To develop a school environment that supports good, healthy eating habits
(Keeping control of food brought into school allows us to maintain an environment that supports the policy as well as students’ attitudes and behaviour when making positive changes toward better health).
STRATEGIES:
1. Food brought to school and regularly served at school events is to be consistent with New Zealand Food and Nutrition guidelines. We will still be happy to have party food at a party or special occasion.
2. Food served to the school community from our school kitchen will reflect the food and nutrition guidelines.
3. Food brought to school by children will not include packaged snack food like chips, lollies, cheezels & twisties etc and will not include fizzy or sugared drinks. The one exception to this is very special occasions like a Class Party at the end of the year.
4. This policy should be reviewed annually
PROCEDURES:
1. School Purchases
Now that we do not run a "canteen", this is limited to event based activities where we sell appropriate food to go with the event. This is typically a sausage sizzle or cultural food and we do not sell any junk food or sugary drinks.
2. School Lunches
We are fortunate to be in the government funded School Lunch Programme. Teachers will do their best to see that lunches are eaten, new foods get tasted and that we do our utmost to limit wasteage. Class monitors will bring the empty containers back to the school kitchen
Special treats will be allowed but should not become regular.
3. Misuse of Money
We will challenge children who have purchased the wrong food elsewhere, e.g. the dairy. We will phase in a remove and replace procedure if the food contravenes school policy.
We will meet with the local dairy owners to discuss the kinds of food we are happy for them to sell to our children for the school day, and the kinds of food that will be removed.
4. Home-Prepared Food
We want to discourage unhealthy snacks or regular unhealthy food. Because parents put time and thought into this, we will not remove food, but will rather speak with the parents if we note a regular habit of unhealthy home prepared food.
We will remove large bags of chips/twisties etc and fiizzy drinks/E drinks etc.
5. Children without Food/Morning Tea
We will provide food for children who have none, after 3 days repetition we will carry out home contact.
6. Pt England has a daily Breakfast Club for any children who need it. We are so grateful to TCDT for providing this
7. Education Approach
We will provide rewards and incentives and plan an active programme of education for children and parents in order to promote good choices. This will involve Newsletter tips, Home/School Partnership, House Points, Attittude Display, Cost comparisons, Lunch construction smorgasbords etc.
Formulated: 2004
Reviewed: 2005
2009
2013
2023
2025