WESTBURY Leigh Primary School pupils recently learned about the importance of healthy eating as part of Healthy Eating Week which took place last month.
The school says that pupils have embraced this year’s healthy schools theme of ‘everyone together’ by devising their own menu featuring favourite family dishes from across the world showcasing the many cultures within the school.
Head teacher Debbie Grimsey explained, “Food is an inspiring vehicle for learning, and it is incorporated into the curriculum in many subjects such as history where pupils learn about the types of food people used to eat such as by the Anglo Saxons.
“Pupils learn about climate and the conditions needed to grow food and we learn about where food comes from and consider the impact of food miles. Children get to prepare their own food in design and technology lessons and learn how their bodies process food in science – they love learning about this and are passionate about helping to conserve our planet as well as staying healthy.”
Children in Year 1 and Year 2 helped Helen Plows, the diner catering manager, to develop a truly original menu for the Healthy Eating Week.
She explained, “I really enjoy working directly with the children and listening to their ideas. Encouraging interest in healthy eating is essential and is so important as it helps children maintain concentration and energy levels as well as supporting children’s growth and development for the future. All our meals are made here at school from local produce and suppliers. I enjoy getting children to try new foods which will tickle their taste buds!”
Noa from Reception Class said, “I liked the baboti; it was like sweet lasagna, but I wasn’t sure about the topping.”
Issy also from Reception added, “I really liked the piri piri chicken; it tasted like chicken with curry on it.”
Anna Stevenson, who organised the week with Helen Plows said, “We really try to promote healthy lifestyles as part of our personal, social, health and economic education curriculum so it is great when our catering team are able to support this and inspire children to eat things they might not normally come across. Certainly, the children in our school were really proud to share their culture as part of this.
“There certainly has been lots of talk about where food comes from, and the different foods children have tasted over the week. A big thank you to all our children and parents who supported this with ideas and recipes.”
