17 February 2025
Fuelling Futures: Bruce McLaren Intermediate’s Inspiring KickStart Breakfast Club
At Bruce McLaren Intermediate, the morning buzz isn't just about the sound of school bells—it's the lively atmosphere of their KickStart Breakfast Club, overseen by the amazing Lee Hodgkinson and her dedicated team of student volunteers. Three a day, before the bell, at interval and lunchtime, these enthusiastic student leaders gather in the school’s undercover area, better known as ‘PitStop’, to serve up nutritious kai and foster a sense of community.
Bruce McLaren Intermediate has been part of the KickStart Breakfast whānau since 2009, and serves around 60 students each day, providing more than kai. The school has worked diligently to create an environment that emphasises the importance of nutrition, bringing peers together and creating a space where everyone is welcome.
The ethos behind PitStop is for everyone on site to feel welcome and well fed. PitStop is a place and space for social, emotional, physical wellbeing to flourish with our ākonga which, in turn, enhances academic focus and growth. PitStop is for kids, run by kids providing real, hands on life skills. KickStart Breakfast Club is a valued partner in supporting Bruce McLaren Intermediate School run such a brilliant programme.
Liz Wood, Tumuaki – Principal.
What makes Bruce McLaren Intermediate’s breakfast club truly special is the spirit of teamwork and responsibility. Every student volunteer has a role to play; from saying the kai karakia, serving food to cleaning up, restocking the supplies, and resetting the space. The camaraderie is evident, with students displaying beautiful manners and graciousness as they serve their peers.
I like PitStop because I am helping to serve my peers, and the workers in PitStop are helping to serve with me. It is a great place to make memories. I am thankful for PitStop because I had to live off it last year and it is time for me to repay it.
Roman Year 8.
From our recent Akina Impact Report, the impacts of KickStart Breakfast align perfectly with the experiences at Bruce McLaren Intermediate.
Enhancing Physical Wellbeing
KickStart Breakfast ensures that tamariki and rangatahi have reliable access to a nutritious breakfast, creating long-term healthy eating habits and improving their physical wellbeing. At Bruce McLaren Intermediate, the focus on nutrition not only fills bellies but sets a foundation for lifelong healthy habits.
Fuelling Educational Outcomes
By fuelling bodies and minds, the KickStart Breakfast programme fosters a learning-ready environment. More than 43,000 tamariki and rangatahi participating in KickStart Breakfast start their day happier, more settled, and more able to focus on learning. This is evident at Bruce McLaren intermediate, where students are more engaged and focused, leading to increased attendance and improved behaviour.
Strengthening Connections and Building Belonging
The way KickStart Breakfast is delivered plays a key role in improving social wellbeing for tamariki and rangatahi by creating a safe space that nurtures organic connection building, social support, and skills development. ‘PitStop’ is a prime example of this, where friendships are formed, and students develop a sense of belonging that extends beyond breakfast.
Whilst KickStart Breakfast is focused on tamariki and rangatahi, the programme understands the deep connection between the wellbeing of young people and their whānau, school, and community. The impact of KickStart Breakfast ripples out to positively benefit these wider circles, creating an environment that fosters growth for young people. Bruce McLaren Intermediate exemplifies this ethos, where the KickStart Breakfast Club is more than a meal—it's a stepping stone towards a brighter future for all involved.