School leads way in ABCs of healthy eating

AS the British Government embarks on a plan to ban junk food in the classroom, a Limerick school has issued an invitation to British education chiefs to visit them and see how it should be done.

Corpus Christi primary school in Moyross, which led the way with a healthy eating programme in this country, wants to show others what the teachers and students have achieved. The school introduced its healthy meals scheme in 2003.

The plan was introduced on a pilot basis in 1998 and funded by the Limerick Paul Partnership.

School principal Aine Uí Chroimin said at the start they gave out cereal breakfasts to pupils in first class. They then considered a full breakfast for all the children, but this would have required kitchens and a canteen.

Ms Uí Chroimin said: “We felt a breakfast would take up a lot of time at the beginning of the school day, which is a very important time in any school, and we did not want to interfere with the integrity of the school’s educational programme.”

After consultation with dietician Christine Gurnett, meal packs for the 320 pupils were finalised, consisting of sandwiches, a bun and milk, a choice of fruit and a choice of orange or apple juice, or water.

The meals are delivered by caterer Colm O’Brien each morning and children have their healthy meals during the early break at 10.45am and the main lunch break at 12.30pm.

Ms Uí Chroimin said there is a strict ban on fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and sweets.

She said: “All our teachers have remarked at the improvement of the children’s performance in class and there seems to be a calmer environment throughout the school.”