More than lunch: How schools are serving up support

At Footscray High School (Kinnear Campus) student wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do. With Dana leading the charge as the Mental Health Practitioner, big steps have been made to improve food access for students. Dana and the team have worked hard to break down stigma around accessing food, creating an open and welcoming space for communication and building connection.

Through the School Breakfast Clubs Program, schools can access a range of emergency lunch products to further support students who may not have access to a sufficient or nutritious lunch. Providing lunch items at school enables identified students to concentrate and participate effectively in the school day.

“Food is nurture” says Dana, “And it’s an access point to wellbeing. The lunch program at Footscray High is not just about the food, this is a supportive space all round.”

Lunch items are available for students who require additional access to food throughout the day and are accessed via the wellbeing office. Everything from the School Breakfast Clubs Program soups to tuna bowls is available, right next to the wellbeing office, where Dana and the Wellbeing team sit. Students ring the doorbell to access the area, ensuring that Wellbeing team have an opportunity to build meaningful connections with students through food. Students can then use the microwaves in the VCE and canteen areas to heat up their lunch.

There’s no going without at Wallan Primary School

Meanwhile, at Wallan Primary, they’ve made sure that no student goes without food. Every day, they offer a lunch program that gives all students who need it, easy access to lunch. Around 20 students benefit each day, making sure they’re fuelled up for learning. The tuna and rice bowls and the fresh fruit are particularly popular choices.

Breakfast Club Coordinator Karen is grateful they can give their students lunch when they need it.  “It is fantastic that we are able to provide food for our students, no questions asked. Students particularly like having apples available to them during class time”.

Like Footscray High School, the lunch program serves a greater purpose at Wallan Primary, “providing lunch to our most vulnerable students helps to get them ready for learning. We are also able to identify families that may require further assistance,” said Karen.

Wellbeing in focus at Werribee Secondary College

Amy, a Mental Health Practitioner from Werribee Secondary College has found the lunch program particularly helpful with engagement and wellbeing. “Food is a great way to connect with kids” she said. “The lunch products are a great way to get to know the students. While they’re waiting for meals to heat up, we use that time to build rapport and make sure that they have a positive experience with people at the school.”

“Food is such a great way to connect with people, especially teenagers, and it is such a great starting point to get to know them and build a sense of trust.”

All these schools have shown just how important it is to take care of students’ nutritional needs. They’ve created environments that reduce stigma and make sure students feel nourished—physically and emotionally.

The lunch programs at Footscray High School (Kinnear Camus), Werribee Secondary College and Wallan Primary School are just a few brilliant examples of how food access plays a vital role as a connector to wellbeing.