01 April 2025
Rural Southland Adventures with Ross
Recently, Relationship Manager, Ross Hamilton, spent some time visiting schools in rural Southland, along with some urban schools that are new to our KickStart Breakfast whānau. Born and raised in Western Southland, Ross found this was a nostalgic trip filled with connecting the dots and seeing familiar faces from Ross’ primary school days.
Despite the various challenges currently facing the education sector, one thing that stood out was the upbeat atmosphere within these schools. Staff members working together to provide tamariki and rangatahi with a safe, consistent, and positive environment.
Individuality
KickStart Breakfast is designed for schools to implement the programme in a way that works best for their school whānau. Over the week, two models stood out; some opting for a self-serve model where students not only learn the importance of having breakfast but also acquire the added life skill of tidying up afterwards. This approach empowers students and teaches them responsibility and independence.
Others chose for the more traditional style of breakfast set up in a central location with the support of staff, members of the community and senior students helping make it happen each day. Many hands make light work was the approach in one school with a warm welcome by a familiar member of the community each morning and a chance for each child to check in with an adult.
Both models showcase manaakitanga, respect and care for others and tuākana/tēina with senior students supporting their younger peers across all breakfast programmes.
Random acts of kindness
One touching observation was at a school where staff members prepare extra kai and quietly place it into some students’ lunchboxes, ensuring they have a more filling lunch. This act of kindness underscores the dedication and care that educators have for their students. At another school, some of the staff had served in their schools for over 20 years. Their long-term commitment has provided continuity and stability for countless students, fostering a nurturing and consistent learning environment.
Kaitiaki
Many country schools showcased the amazing things they are doing with the resources they have. Several schools have flourishing gardens where produce is available to students and often used in meals at school. This not only provides fresh, healthy food but also teaches students about sustainability and caring for the environment.
Schools also showed their dedication to sustainability through their high standards of recycling as well as minimising food waste. Encouraging tamariki and rangatahi to come back for another bowl of kai rather than loading up on a big bowl of Weet-Bix. In one school, the Weet-Bix sleeves are shaken clean and dropped off at the local supermarket soft plastics collection bin (https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/...) and the milk cartons are cut, cleaned, dried and stacked ready for recycling.
Building connections
One highlight was catching up with Nigel from Anchor Milk Southland, the local Anchor franchisee who delivers to nearly 50 schools in the region. Nigel has done a fantastic job of ensuring all deliveries to schools are completed efficiently each term, and it was great to learn more about the KickStart Breakfast programme from his perspective. Having been involved from the beginning, Nigel has witnessed many changes as the programme has grown over the years. To see some schools expanding their breakfast programme to meet the need within their community is really uplifting. The positive impact the breakfast programme ripples out on attendance, readiness for learning and stronger relationships across the school.
Rural Southland has come through a tough winter last year, and it is heartening to see so many communities in good spirits. Schools, often the hub of the community, are doing their very best with every resource at their disposal. There are so many things to celebrate after seeing the dedication and support these schools have towards their KickStart Breakfast programme. A big ngā mihi nui to all the staff who makes the breakfast clubs the place to be in the mornings. Your hard work and commitment does not go unnoticed.