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Healthy Eating Policy
It is the policy of Whitechurch National School that healthy eating be encouraged by pursuing both education for pupils and guidance for parents. We approach this policy with the understanding that ultimately children’s appetites and tastes differ and it is a parent’s responsibility to ensure that his / her child eats healthily at all times, including during school activities.
In the course of studying science children will be exploring
Food groups
The consequences of a poor diet
The Food Pyramid
All children are encouraged to eat balanced and proportionate meals at all times including those meals eaten while in school.
The food pyramid outlines an excellent common sense approach to healthy and balanced eating. All children’s lunches should contain a majority of items from the three lower food groups.
Foods selected from each level should be in decreasing amounts.
Treats such as sweets, chocolate, crisps, etc. should always be limited.
In Whitechurch National School two lunch breaks are timetabled.
A fifteen minute break at 10.30 a.m. (Sos beag)
A thirty minute break at 12.20 p.m. (Am lóin)
Sos beag
Children may take a small item of lunch (from the bread / cereal / pasta groups) outdoors to eat. Younger children may be allowed some class time to eat indoors before going to play. This can be particularly important for Junior Infants in the first term who often eat more slowly.
Am Lóin
Children are given a short period of time to commence their lunch before going outside to the yard. Children are not allowed to walk around the room while eating. This is necessary in terms of good eating etiquette and also to minimise opportunity for spillage. Children are taught that treat items should always be eaten last once all other items have been eaten. Children should not exchange food items or save food to be eaten on the way home after school.
There is an area in each classroom for lunch boxes. Lunch boxes and drinks should not be stored in schoolbags for the day. On hot days and following P. E. lessons individual teachers may allow pupils to have a drink when they return indoors. Drinking water and fruit juices are encouraged, fizzy drinks are not permitted.
In the winter months (between Hallowe’en and February mid-term holidays) children are permitted to bring warm soup in a flask. It is not possible or safe to provide hot water in school for large groups of children to make instant soup.
The following is a list of suggested foods for a healthy, balanced school lunch.
|
Group 1 Bread / cereal / pasta Carbohydrate |
Sandwiches / Rolls Pitta Bread Pockets Nan Bread Pasta Salad Crackers Crisp Bread |
|
Group 2 Fruit / Vegetables |
Any fruit or vegetable items Salad in a box Please remember to peel or cut fruit for younger students |
|
Group 3 Dairy |
Cheese strings Small packets cheese (e.g. 5 in a bag size) Yoghurts (pots or frubes) with spoon Milk to drink |
|
Group 4 Meat Protein |
Meat in sandwiches or salad Cold meats or tuna |
|
Group 5 Treats |
Small fun-size bar Small packet / half packet sweets Small cake / bun Cereal bar |
As we are trying to reduce the amount of waste in the school, we would encourage parents to try and reduce the amount of packaging in your child’s lunchbox. We would greatly appreciate your cooperation with this matter.
All new parents will be given a copy of this Healthy Eating Policy.
Teachers will observe lunches brought to school and encourage pupils to bring balanced meals.
