Kia Ora everyone and welcome back to Term 2-2012. We hope you had a lovely Easter break and ar...
News
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Thank you for taking the time to update your online school profile for the upcoming term. Over 85% successfully completed the process which is a fantastic effort. Please remember that it is important to update your profile every school term as it helps us to ensure we supply the right amount of product to the correct drop off point and our Franchisees can contact you if they need to.
Please note that your Term 2 Sanitarium Weet-Bix order is scheduled to arrive by courier and Fonterra’s Anchor Mega Milk via your local milkman during week one. If your delivery has not arrived by the end of week two please contact us at kickstart.breakfast@fonterra.com and we’ll be happy to assist you.
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Fonterra accounced a Milk for Kiwis plan late in 2011 to make milk more affordable and more available to all New Zealanders. The plan included the introduction of Fonterra Milk for Schools, offering all New Zealand primary-aged children access to the benefits of dairy nutrition every school day.
The Northland pilot officially commenced on Monday 19th March which saw 102 out of 135 eligible schools celebrate their first day of Fonterra Milk for Schools with a further 19 schools signed up for Term 2.
The pilot will allow us to test the logistics of the programme such as installing refrigerators in schools, arranging for the milk to be delivered and putting recycling programmes in place for the packaging.
Results from the pilot will be monitored over the first three terms to establish how to best introduce Fonterra Milk for Schools nationwide.Fonterra and Sanitarium are committed to KickStart Breakfast and no changes are planned for the programme. Those KickStart Breakfast schools in the Northland region are also welcome to join Fonterra Milk for Schools. KickStart Breakfast is offered to decile 1-4 primary, intermediate and secondary schools, for those children that need the most support. Fonterra Milk for Schools is intended for all primary-aged children in all schools, and focuses on giving Kiwi kids a great nutritional boost to their day. For more information about the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme, please visit www.fonterramilkforschools.com
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You’ve told us that KickStart Breakfast clubs are a great opportunity for children to develop a range of social and behaviour skills, providing an environment that students can feel safe and relaxed to build friendships with their peers, both older and younger. Students learn how to serve, tidy up after themselves, wash dishes, learn social skills such as table manners, helping others, looking after themselves and become self sufficient in preparing their own food.
To help keep your children healthy and safe we have put together a list of things to keep in mind.
Identify any health and safety issues that may exist in the area or room where you are hosting your breakfast club. Perhaps appoint a student health safety co-ordinator.
Ensure first aid equipment is easily accessed and look for opportunities for the Breakfast Co-ordinator to undergo First Aid training.
- Safe food handling and hand washing practices need to be rigorously observed. Follow the 20+20 hand washing rule before and after handling food
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and hot water
- Dry your hands for 20 seconds with a clean dry towel or paper towel.
Employ food safety standards with your Anchor Mega Milk and Weet-Bix.
- Ensure you store your milk in the fridge when it isn’t being used, ideally at a temperature of 4°Celsius.
- Always check your expiry date before using your milk – Anchor Mega Milk has a 14 day expiry date from the date of manufacture – if you have too much milk, you can simply put it in the freezer to use another time.
- If you are using UHT milk, remember to refrigerate after opening.
- Make sure you keep the Weet-Bix wrapped in the bag and kept in the box away from sunlight and at room temperature.
- Also ensure that the room is dry and the Weet-Bix are off the floor!
Be aware of students who have specific food allergies.
Screening volunteers is essential to a breakfast club. A copy of police checks for all volunteers not involved in the school previously should be obtained.
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It is easy to forget that for primary-aged kids, food eaten at school may provide up to a third of their daily food consumption. In order to help parents provide healthy, tasty lunch options we thought we’d outline some hints and tips for you to include in your school newsletter to help parents pack a healthy lunchbox which will make a significant contribution to their child’s overall nutrient intake.
A healthy lunch will give your little one enough fuel for a busy day at school and sufficient nutrients to promote good learning all day long. It’s sometimes hard to find time or energy to ensure your child’s school lunch is filled with healthy foods, but it is easier than you think if you take the time to plan a little here and there.
The easiest way to make sure you provide the right foods in your child’s lunchbox is to include a variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as milk, yoghurt, cheese, fruit and vegetables, lean meat, chicken or fish, plus wholegrain bread and cereals. Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are packed with 10 essential nutrients children need every day to promote growth and development. With options out there that kids love, including CalciYum milk and Fresh ‘n Fruity yoghurt, you definitely won’t find it hard to get them to take them out of their bag!
You can also avoid the morning panic by doing as much preparation as you can the night before. Freezing flavoured milk or yoghurt is a great habit to get into – it will not only keep the rest of the lunchbox cool but also makes a yummy treat. Include cheese portions alongside dried fruit and biscuits for snacks on the run, or cut the crusts off a slice of bread, spread with some light cream cheese and top with sliced ham before rolling up firmly to create delicious Cheesy Roll Arounds.
The possibilities are endless – and your child will love you for it!
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Amazingly, nearly half of New Zealand’s five year-olds have tooth decay and around six out of ten nine year-olds have at least one decayed, missing or filled tooth. This doesn’t need to happen to your kids if you follow a few simple rules.
As well as taking time to brush twice daily, recent research has shown that adding dairy to your diet is a simple solution to common dental problems amongst Kiwi kids. As one of the core food groups, dairy foods are important for good nutrition during childhood, with dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt providing at least ten essential nutrients. In addition, dairy foods have a specific role to play in dental health as they contain special anti-decay nutrients such as casein, calcium and phosphorus.
Casein is a protein found in dairy foods. When combined with calcium and phosphorus, it creates a protective protein film over the enamel surface of the tooth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. The tooth strengthening minerals, calcium and phosphorus, found in dairy foods, also help repair teeth after acid attacks. Studies show that milk and cheese not only help reduce enamel wear and tear they may also strengthen already damaged enamels - which is good news for teenagers and adults!
Just two to three serves of dairy every day - think milk, cheese and yoghurt – provide important nutrients that children’s bodies need for health and wellbeing. Add to that the fact that the unique package of nutrients in dairy foods can also help protect against dental decay and erosion and you have a winning combination for keeping your kids happy and healthy!
Nutrition Manager for Fonterra Brands, Beverly Watson, says that Kiwi parents looking for healthy and tasty alternatives for their children’s lunch boxes or after school snacks should look no further than dairy.
Even the detrimental effects of fizzy drinks on children’s general health and teeth can be lessened by cheese, which limits the cavity causing acids present in sugary drinks and snacks! What’s more, other dairy products like yoghurt and even flavoured milk are thought to have the same effect.
