Tom serves up milestone breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for young South Canterbury residents.
In the past 10 years more than 1000 schools around the country, including nine in South Canterbury, have been involved in the KickStart Breakfast programme, which delivered its 30 millionth serving of Weet-Bix and Anchor milk last Tuesday.
Oceanview Heights School, Aoraki Alternative Education, St Joseph’s School (Fairlie), Timaru South School, Highfield School and Winchester Rural School benefit from the breakfasts, while Aoraki Mt Cook School and Temuka Primary were added to the programme this term.
Arowhenua Maori School in Temuka has benefited from the sponsored breakfasts since 2010.
Principal Bronwyn Te KoetiJames says the school offers the programme to anyone who wants it and up to 10 children are fed every morning.
‘‘It is now teacher-directed and we find it is a great part of the day to sometimes catch up with our tamariki with ‘what’s on top’ for them when they come to kura.’’
She said the school values the programme because it helps the children to pay attention in class.
‘‘It sets them up for the day and helps them to focus on their learning,’’ Te Koeti-James said.
‘‘The majority of our tamariki [children] arrive to kura via the school bus and sometimes either haven’t had time to eat, or have eaten too early.’’
The programme also has the support of Timaru’s home town hero, Tom Walsh, who said he feels honoured to be involved.
‘‘It’s awesome to see the positive effect that a healthy nutritious meal can have on the kids’ performance both in the classroom and also in their daily lives. It’s so important to start the day with a healthy breakfast in order to fuel the body and mind for the day ahead,’’ Walsh said.
Ministry of Social Development general manager of