Mallacoota P-12 College, nestled in East Gippsland, has proudly become the first school in Victoria to complete a breakfast club bite as part of the Vic Kids Eat Well movement.
At the heart of their success was Jennie Rush, the school’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, who was supported by local health promotion professionals, Andrea Kleehammer and Renate Hall, from Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH). Together they drove a renewed focus on tasty and nutritious food options for the 124 students at the school.
L-R Lexie, Elsie, Amelia, Miss Jennie Rush, Casey, Rosie
Mallacoota P-12 College has a long-standing breakfast club, it helps to build community and connection among students. It also allows working parents to drop off kids early. Without before-school care, the breakfast club fills the gap.
“Our breakfast club is always busy with at least 20 students most mornings and two staff. Secondary students pop in to grab toast or fruit, others sit down and eat with friends. There’s a big table set up in our home economics room with cereals, toast and now – thanks to Vic Kids Eat Well – fruit and vegetables. It’s a great setup,” Miss Rush said.
Time for change
Mallacoota P-12 coloured its breakfast club with more fruit and veggies since joining Vic Kids Eat Well. They’ve also created a culture of curiosity among students about locally grown and in-season fresh foods. School staff are now sourcing fruit and veggies from families who have excess homegrown produce.
“I brought in a whole plate of homegrown cucumbers and sliced them up. A student said: ‘I’ve never tried cucumber before.’ He tasted it and said: ‘It’s like crunchy water!’ It was such a simple thing, but such a win. Now he’ll eat cucumber if it’s on offer.
“For students, sometimes just one good first experience is all it takes for them to regularly enjoy a new vegetable,” Miss Rush said.
“The breakfast club and classroom fruit bowls have also benefited from fresh blood oranges, strawberries and plums, all grown and donated by local families. Students are really proud to bring them in for others to try,” she said.
By joining Vic Kids Eat Well and progressing through the program’s simple steps, the school now has more fruit and veg to extend the benefits of breakfast club to also fuel kids across their school day.
“We’re now also peeling and chopping carrots so the kids will have them. They’re not expensive and they’re a crunchy and nutritious snack,” Miss Rush said.
“We started noticing some students didn’t have fruit for fruit break in the morning school learning session. So, we began taking some apples and other easy items like oranges and carrots from our breakfast club and putting them into bowls in classrooms for all students to snack on,” Miss Rush said.
“An apple provides a great energy boost if students are struggling to focus and learn in class. Students are encouraged to listen to their body. With fruit and veggies now on offer, they’re not distracted by hunger and they get through the day better.”
“Since completing the breakfast club bites, I also love walking around with chopped up fruit and veg in platters during yard duty so all students get a nutritious boost. It's also great for building relationships and celebrating local produce.”
Policy link
Joining Vic Kids Eat Well helped the school form a team to look at the school’s food and drink environment. The team includes the assistant principal, the mental health and wellbeing leader, staff from the breakfast club and the school nurse staff – supported by GLCH. Together, they’re working on gradual improvements.
“I brought Vic Kids Eat Well to our wellbeing team as we were talking about students missing out on fruit break – a pause in student learning to refuel for increased focus. It was an easy decision to join for free and make it work for us.”
One small but impactful idea was making less nutritious options, like jam, less visible during breakfast club.
“We’re not taking things away completely. But if we make healthy options more visible to students, that’s a good start.”
Local support
Andrea Kleehammer from Gippsland Lakes Complete Health said:
“For a small regional school without a canteen, Mallacoota P-12 is creating a strong culture of nourishing and delicious food options for students. It’s been very rewarding to support them on their Vic Kids Eat Well journey.”
Looking ahead
Mallacoota P-12 students learn life skills and independence through their breakfast club.
“Even the younger students get their own breakfast, eat, then wash their dishes and put them away. The breakfast club will continue to be a nurturing hub within our school,” Miss Rush said.
The school’s team is now prioritising student involvement through Mallacoota P-12's SRC to help choose future breakfast club improvements, like fruit smoothies or porridge. Jennie is also always exploring ways to make changes that are sustainable and simple for staff.