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Bonnyrigg High School
nourishing minds and building community through their breakfast program
For Bonnyrigg High School, located in southwest Sydney, breakfast is more than just a meal. It’s a symbol of care, compassion and community.
With over 1,600 students, 98% of whom come from non-English speaking backgrounds, Bonnyrigg is a vibrant and diverse school. But with that, diversity also comes the challenge of ensuring equity and that every student has what they need to succeed.
For many, that begins with something as simple as a healthy breakfast.
It started with a simple idea let’s make sure no student starts the day hungry, but it’s become so much more than that.”
P&C President, Ben Stewart
The turning point came when Bonnyrigg High partnered with Foodbank NSW & ACT to deliver a School Breakfast 4 Health program. This support enabled the school to significantly grow what it could offer kids. Their breakfast club includes cereal, fresh fruit, toasties, tinned goods and milk.
It’s not just about food, it’s about creating a warm, welcoming space where students can start their day feeling supported.”
And it’s working. The school has seen real, measurable changes: improved focus, better engagement in morning classes and a noticeable lift in punctuality. For many students, the breakfast club has become a place they look forward to; a calm and inclusive start to their day.
Staffed by a team of Student Learning Support Officers (SLSOs), parent volunteers, and even students themselves, the breakfast club is a team effort. The presence of familiar faces helps break down barriers and encourages consistent participation.
The timing couldn’t be more important. As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, schools like Bonnyrigg are seeing more families struggle with basic expenses. The signs are often subtle; a student without lunch, rising absenteeism, or disengagement in class.
That’s where the Breakfast Club quietly steps in.
Some students come in for a toastie and a smile and that might be the most stable part of their morning. We’ve had parents express deep gratitude. For them, it’s one less worry.”
The school has set a goal to improve attendance by 47% by 2027, and the breakfast club is playing a key role in helping students arrive on time and ready to learn.
In the end, what stands out most is not just what the program provides, but what it represents.
We’ve seen friendships form over bowls of cereal, shy students slowly come out of their shell, and a stronger sense of belonging across the school. The breakfast club has become part of who we are.”
Bonnyrigg High School’s story is a powerful reminder that small acts such as a piece of fruit or a warm toastie, can have a big impact.
A Message of Gratitude from Bonnyrigg High School
Ben Stewart, the P&C President at Bonnyrigg High School shares his heartfelt thanks to all the generous donors whose support helps Foodbank NSW & ACT provide food to schools every day.
