Healthy Eating Policy for St Vincent's GNS

This policy was reviewed in October 2009 by representatives from our school community, children, staff and parents working together.

Aims of our policy:

• To develop an awareness of and encourage healthy food choices
• To look after our health
• To help our concentration
• To avoid lunch 'competition' among children
• To introduce variety into our diet

• Nutrition plays a very important part in the health of school children and staff so we want to include foods that will keep us healthy in our lunches

• Friday is our treat day. On this day we may have a muffin provided by the school in our lunch or a small chocolate bar, but not both.

• Lunch is available to every child in the school and is supplied by a supermarket in the locality. Children have a choice of either a sandwich or roll and a large variety of fillings.

• They are asked regularly about their choice and are free to change their lunch preference from time to time (within reason!).

• A variety of fruits in season is supplied daily as part of the lunch menu. Children are encouraged to eat this as part of their 'five a day' fruit/vegetable recommendation as part of a healthy, balanced diet

• Children are also free to bring in lunch from home in addition to or instead of school lunches.

• Lunch foods we encourage are: sandwiches, rolls, fruit, cheese, cold meats, crackers, salad, raw vegetables, plain biscuits (not a packet), yoghurts for 1st - 6th class with own spoon (see Code of Good Behaviour)

• Lunch drinks we encourage are: Still water, Milk, unsweetened juice

• As part of the school's 'Green School Policy' children and parents are asked to help reduce school waste by disposing of lunch waste at home. Classes are given a Golden Ticket each day, if there is no lunch rubbish in their class bin. This is checked daily by the 'Green School Team' made up of representatives from the Senior classes in the school

• The School Breakfast Club provides breakfast for every child who wishes to avail of it, from 8 45am - 9 00am every morning. Children who come late, but who have not had their breakfast at home will be provided with breakfast after this time. Teachers are careful to watch out for children arriving late without breakfast

• Breakfast consists of a range of healthy cereals with reduced sugar/salt content, unsweetened orange juice and 'Best of Both' toast

• Children are rewarded with a Golden Ticket if they choose a 'Healthy Option' breakfast

• The following are not allowed in school: Fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes, buns, chocolate biscuits or bars, cereal bars, crisps or similar, chewing gum

• All classes will have at least 2 lessons on healthy eating per year

• This policy will be reviewed in two years' time