The simple act of sharing a piece of toast and a bowl of cereal over a chat before the bell rings is having great success at Jannali Public School.
The primary school’s breakfast club, which runs on Tuesday and Friday mornings, has grown in popularity since it was trialled eight years ago.
It is run entirely by volunteers from BeConnected Community Services at Jannali (formerly known as Jannali Neighbourhood Aid) and is also supported by Vicker’s Bakery Jannali.
Tables and chairs are set up in the playground to give a cafe-like feel, while children snack on tubs of yoghurt, bowls of cereal, glasses of milk and juice.
Club coordinator Sigrid Hall says the idea is to help provide some routine to families.
“We have found that we have been meeting a need in the community where some children miss out on breakfast for a variety of reasons,” she said.
“These can be because of financial or social issues, and when both parents work, it can be very easy to skip breakfast when everyone has to rush out the door.”
She says more than 30 pupils show up for a bite to eat on a typical day.
“It’s a small school but there’s always a queue for juice and toast – we go through several loaves of bread” she said.
School principal Karen Andrew says the initiative also promotes social inclusion.
“It’s an acknowledgement that a good start to the day is critical for students to undertake their learning because routine sets them up,” she said.
“But it’s not just about providing nutritional benefits of a sound breakfast and healthy lifestyle – it celebrates togetherness and social interaction.
“We are such a family community-driven school and this is an extension of that.”
The club is financially supported by Sutherland Rotary, which contributes some its funds raised from the Shire Farmer’s Markets.
It has made donations to the club in the past three years, and recently donated $1800 – a welcome gift for coordinators.
“We are very grateful because we rely entirely on donations,” Ms Hall said.
“We don’t have the resources to do it ourselves.”
