More than lunch: How schools are serving up support

At Footscray High School (Kinnear Campus) student wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do. With Dana leading the charge as the Mental Health Practitioner, big steps have been made to improve food access for students. Dana and the team have worked hard to break down stigma around accessing food, creating an open and welcoming space for communication and building connection.

Through the School Breakfast Clubs Program, schools can access a range of emergency lunch products to further support students who may not have access to a sufficient or nutritious lunch. Providing lunch items at school enables identified students to concentrate and participate effectively in the school day.

“Food is nurture” says Dana, “And it’s an access point to wellbeing. The lunch program at Footscray High is not just about the food, this is a supportive space all round.”

Lunch items are available for students who require additional access to food throughout the day and are accessed via the wellbeing office. Everything from the School Breakfast Clubs Program soups to tuna bowls is available, right next to the wellbeing office, where Dana and the Wellbeing team sit. Students ring the doorbell to access the area, ensuring that Wellbeing team have an opportunity to build meaningful connections with students through food. Students can then use the microwaves in the VCE and canteen areas to heat up their lunch.

There’s no going without at Wallan Primary School

Meanwhile, at Wallan Primary, they’ve made sure that no student goes without food. Every day, they offer a lunch program that gives all students who need it, easy access to lunch. Around 20 students benefit each day, making sure they’re fuelled up for learning. The tuna and rice bowls and the fresh fruit are particularly popular choices.

Breakfast Club Coordinator Karen is grateful they can give their students lunch when they need it.  “It is fantastic that we are able to provide food for our students, no questions asked. Students particularly like having apples available to them during class time”.

Like Footscray High School, the lunch program serves a greater purpose at Wallan Primary, “providing lunch to our most vulnerable students helps to get them ready for learning. We are also able to identify families that may require further assistance,” said Karen.

Wellbeing in focus at Werribee Secondary College

Amy, a Mental Health Practitioner from Werribee Secondary College has found the lunch program particularly helpful with engagement and wellbeing. “Food is a great way to connect with kids” she said. “The lunch products are a great way to get to know the students. While they’re waiting for meals to heat up, we use that time to build rapport and make sure that they have a positive experience with people at the school.”

“Food is such a great way to connect with people, especially teenagers, and it is such a great starting point to get to know them and build a sense of trust.”

All these schools have shown just how important it is to take care of students’ nutritional needs. They’ve created environments that reduce stigma and make sure students feel nourished—physically and emotionally.

The lunch programs at Footscray High School (Kinnear Camus), Werribee Secondary College and Wallan Primary School are just a few brilliant examples of how food access plays a vital role as a connector to wellbeing.

Gleneagles Secondary College: Stirring Up Success and Building Bonds 

The School Breakfast Clubs Program Cooking Classes at Gleneagles Secondary College have been a hit!  

It’s not just about learning to cook; it’s about bringing people together and creating lasting connections. The program has added even more variety to Gleneagles’ offering, helping staff, students, and parents build stronger bonds.  

Teachers and staff have had the chance to get to know students and their families better, making the school feel even more like a supportive and inclusive community. Plus, students have made new friends, boosting their social skills and sense of belonging. 

Why Gleneagles loved it 

Gleneagles Secondary College signed up to the Cooking Classes program to build stronger relationships within the school community. “We thought it was a great chance to build relationships.” said Sabrina, Youth Support Officer. “It also educates families on the benefits of healthy eating and supports those families with extra food.”  The take home hampers provide families with nutritious ingredients, helping put what they learn in class into practice at home. 

Why the families loved it 

Families love joining the Cooking Classes because it’s a special time to bond. With everyone’s busy schedules, it can be hard to find quality time together. The classes give parents and kids a chance to cook side by side, strengthening their relationships and creating wonderful memories. 

“We don’t get to do too much together” said Candice, mum of year seven student, Mya. “Mya’s younger brother takes up a lot of my spare time, so this was a great way to do something that’s just us”. 

Students enjoy the Cooking Classes for many reasons. They learn how to cook, gain confidence in the kitchen, and get to take charge. This sense of ownership and responsibility is empowering, and it lets them guide their parents through the cooking process, flipping the usual roles and building mutual respect. 

Marwa, who is currently in Year 12 said she signed up to take part in Cooking Classes as she enjoys cooking and it “helps her de-stress”, while Lena, Year 7, signed up with mum to make new friends at the school.  

Youth Support Officer, Sabrina, shared touching stories from families about how the program has made a difference. One family, who used to rely on take away, now cooks healthy meals together at home. This change not only improves their nutrition but also helps their child develop better eating habits. Another family shared that dad had never cooked before, but through the program, he learned to cook with his daughter, creating a special bond and gaining a valuable new skill. 

Cooking at home 

The families really appreciated the food hampers. Many have tried the recipes provided, as well as mixing it up with some of their own touches, while others are still exploring them. Budding chef Rida mixed it up, substituting some of the ingredients in the Rice Paper Rolls take home hamper to make a fusion meal for the family!  

The Cooking Class program at Gleneagles Secondary College has had a wonderful impact on the students and their families. By bringing them together, promoting healthy eating, and teaching valuable skills, it is an essential part of the school’s efforts to support and engage families. 

It’s been a whirlwind of excitement for the School Breakfast Clubs Program over the past few months, and we’re thrilled to share the news – more schools, more students, and more healthy food!

The program is making waves across Victoria, with 49% of new schools in metropolitan areas and 51% in regional areas – a nice even mix that’s slowly working towards covering all corners of the state.

But it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the real impact happening in school hallways and classrooms. In the most recent quarter, the program served up a whopping 903,314 net kilograms of food, marking an 8.6% increase on the previous quarter. That’s a whole lot of breakfasts fuelling students for a busy day ahead! And it doesn’t stop there.

The Home Food Packs program has seen a massive 57% increase in food distributed to school families over the last quarter, meeting an ever-growing need for food support in communities across Victoria beyond the classroom. These packs are making a tangible difference, providing families with the essentials they need and ensuring more people have access to healthy food.

At the Charles La Trobe College Breakfast Club, a warm and welcoming atmosphere transforms the mornings of 126 primary school students into something special. With a dedicated team of volunteers and a commitment to nourishing young minds, the club epitomises the power of community connections.  

Breakfast Club runs every school day, drawing in 12-15 eager students who gather around a communal table to start their day with a nutritious meal and a smile. Community volunteers serve as the backbone of the Charles La Trobe Breakfast Club ensuring that every child starts the day with a healthy breakfast. An incredible 90% of the program’s volunteer pool is made up of local community members, who are passionate about contributing to the wellbeing of the children. Lorem dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras malesuada nisi eu elit congue, quis a liquet neque ornare. Nulla facilisi. Orci varius natoque penatibus et here magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Proin in mauris est. Nunc nec lacinia odio, sit amet rhoncus urna. Donec iaculis dolor elementum purus dignissim, ac commodo lacus bibendum.

Impact on school community 

Since the Breakfast Club’s inception, the program has evolved into an essential part of the school’s offering, enhancing student engagement and creating a positive atmosphere. Volunteers work closely with school staff, fostering relationships that benefit the entire community. 

Volunteer coordinator, Brooke noted, “The children are so excited to come to school and are so friendly and kind to one another.”  

The Breakfast Club serves a variety of food options, with the small milk cartons a favourite, while fresh fruit is available throughout the day. Students are encouraged to eat at a communal table, encouraging a sense of community and belonging. They also learn responsibility by cleaning up after themselves—scraping their plates into the bin and placing their dishes in the sink—a small but significant step towards independence that parents likely appreciate as well!  

The Breakfast Club is more than food. Volunteers come together to create an environment where children feel safe and valued. Children from Prep to Grade six come together, sharing not only breakfast but also stories, jokes and songs.  

They take turns making announcements, filling the air with their favourite jokes and music, and even created a whimsical song about the Breakfast Club inspired by their rehearsals for the Wizard of Oz school musical: “Somewhere over Breakfast Club, skies are blue, and the toastie that you dare to dream of, really does come true.” 

Impact on Volunteer community 

Being part of the Charles La Trobe Breakfast Club has profoundly impacted the volunteers. They share moments of joy, surprise, and connection with the students, reminding them of the simple joys of childhood. 

“The best part of interacting with the students is they surprise us every day and connect us to what it feels like to be young again,” said Brooke. “That’s what I love about the volunteers – each of them has deep personal and professional experience that they bring to the role. We have a retired teacher, accountant, nurse, university lecturer and senior executive all giving up their time to volunteer because they care about the next generation and want the school and families to be strong, healthy and happy.” 

Brooke “decided to volunteer because well-nourished children do better in school. It’s heartwarming to see how much joy and excitement the Breakfast Club brings.” Adding, “Our kids went to local schools, and we know the value of lifelong friendships and the bonds that are built at school and by getting involved.” 

The Breakfast Club at Charles La Trobe Primary School is more than just a meal program; it is a vibrant hub of community engagement. By leveraging the strengths of local volunteers, the program not only feeds hungry bellies but also fosters a sense of belonging and support, paving the way for a healthier, more confident and connected student cohort.  

Cooking Classes Creating Cross Generational and Community Connections 

St Alban’s North Primary School jumped at the chance to bring the Cooking Class program, to their students. In addition to the regular benefits this program brings, fostering community involvement, and promoting healthy eating habits, the school had another motive. They wanted to strengthen family bonds within their community.   

We know that food brings people together. And by inviting students, siblings and their parents to the cooking classes, the school together with the School Breakfast Clubs Program Cooking Classes offered an opportunity for students and their families to engage in a shared activity and foster stronger connections. 

And that it did! The classes successfully drew in families who were previously not engaged in school activities. Students were able to work together with their siblings and parents in both a productive and enjoyable setting.  

“We wanted to provide a positive experience for (the families) where they could work together to create something and then share it at the end. The cooking Classes were perfect and the way Foodbank provides the food hampers to take home gives an opportunity for them to repeat the process of working together in the home environment, hopefully building some teamwork, respect and tolerance.” said assistant principal Rob Guppy.  

Creating Connections

The families that took part in Cooking Classes appreciated the chance to spend quality time with their children while learning about healthy cooking. One parent noted, “The Cooking Classes program was a fantastic opportunity for us to bond as a family and learn new recipes. My children were thrilled to see me at school and work together on something so fun and educational.”   

The Cooking Classes experience and learning extends beyond the classroom, giving students practical experiences that enhance their teamwork and problem-solving skills, not just at school, but in the home. The food hampers provided mean that families can continue building on their in school positive experiences and connections, at home. 

One parent, who attended with her prep student, also brought her year seven son along – on his birthday no less. She loved that it was a fun and educational activity they could do as a family, noting that group activities catering to varying age groups can be difficult. (As is bonding with a teenager!) 

Testimonials

From the school’s perspective, the Cooking Classes have been a tremendous success. They saw quite a few of the participants try sushi and rice paper rolls for the first time. Assistant Principal Rob Guppy said “the cooking classes are a fantastic initiative that helps bring families together and educates them on healthy cooking. Our school saw benefits with parents and students working together, as well as families mixing with each other which was great to see.”