Healthy Eating Policy

Christ the King Junior GNS

Healthy Eating Policy

Introductory statement:

This policy was formulated to promote health and well-being in the school. It is intended to help parents and guardians understand the environment and approach of the school. This document is regularly reviewed. All feedback is encouraged and welcome.

The Rationale:

Good nutrition is critical for every child’s short and long term health development. Healthy eating habits are learned during childhood and can help reduce the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, anaemia and bad dental health throughout their life. As a school, we believe a healthy eating policy is fundamental, not only to add life to years but also to add years to life. Our policy is a statement which outlines our school’s commitment to promote healthy eating. It promotes the importance of good nutrition practices. This policy aims to support parents/guardians and pupils around developing healthy eating habits at an early age.

Aims:

The aims of this policy are:

  1. To promote nutritional awareness and provide consistent messages about nutrition through classroom education.
  2. To provide members of staff, parents/guardians and pupils with clear information on healthy eating.
  3. To support and encourage healthy eating habits in children, which we hope will become lifelong.
  4. To promote the health and safety of children with serious food allergies.
  5. To support the school’s environmental policy e.g. re-usable containers and minimising wrappers.
  6. To help improve children’s concentration, learning and energy levels.
  7. To support parents/guardians and children in making healthy and enjoyable decisions around food by providing nutritional information.

 

Curriculum Links:

  • Social, Personal, Health, Education (SPHE): Taking care of my body: Food and Nutrition
  • Science: Myself: Human Life Processes
  • Physical Education (P.E): Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle

Contents:

The children have an option of a free lunch provided for them by the school.  If the children are bringing in their own lunch ensure that the class teacher knows so that food is not going to waste on the day and to avoid extra costs for providing the school lunches.

 

Guidelines:

Parents are asked, when choosing lunches, not to include the following items:

  1. Peanuts and nuts in any form as there are children with allergies in the school.
  2. Popcorn, crisps, sweets, lollipops, chocolate bars, cereal bars, biscuits, cakes, buns, pastries, fizzy drinks, energy drinks, yoghurt drinks, chewing gum.
  3. Please note lollipops, chewing gum and hot liquids are not allowed for safety reasons.
  4. The school has two breaks, one at 10.30 and at 11.45.
  5. Children are requested to take home all uneaten food in their rubbish bags provided so that parents/guardians know if the child has eaten that day. Uneaten food may not be thrown in the bin.
  6. If treats are brought in on any day, the children will be asked to take it home.
  7. We cannot host birthday parties at school. Please refrain from sending in big “goodie bags” or any other items of sugary, expensive sweets to school as refusal on the day may offend. We will of course, sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for your child on the big day, if they would like us to, and generally making a fuss of them!
  8. We encourage the use of re-usable containers, flasks, beakers etc. Glass bottles and cans are not allowed.

 

Exceptions:

During the school year, treats will be organised by school staff from time to time, on special occasions e.g., fund-raising days, school trips, baking days etc. On these days, all pupils will receive the same treats, thus eliminating the opportunity for comparing treats and any teasing or unkind words.