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"Why should our two school canteen ladies win?
At Pembroke Primary School, we have the dynamic duo of two
mothers who voluntarily dedicate their time in managing and
running our school canteen. Due to the efforts of both these
ladies, the canteen, which was closed, was cleaned, prepared
at their expense and time, and re-opened after receiving the
accreditation from the Health Department. They do a wonderful
job in ensuring the needs of our school community (students
& staff) with some very popular home cooked recipes. One favourite
is 'mini quiche'. The smell that permeates throughout the
school corridor and staff room is enough to make your mouth
water.
Our canteen ladies always have a smile on their face and
are more than willing to assist and provide that special touch
of food that supports many of our school based curriculum
activities. The children at our school are given the opportunity
to taste a variety of foods offered by the canteen or participate
in the making of the food themselves that promotes a special
theme of an event at our school. In the classroom, the importance
of food preparation / hygiene / healthy nutrition and social
skills are discussed and taught relevant to the children's
year level. The canteen ladies make a huge contribution to
our school. Without their support and help, the canteen would
not be possible. We value their hands on approach and feel
it is a privilege to nominate these ladies for this award
in an effort to show our gratitude and appreciation.
What have they done?
What a year we have had due to the efforts of both these
ladies who give, and keep on giving. For instance, a list
of special events and some photos of the work that these canteen
ladies have been involved in preparing / providing food for
students and the community of Pembroke Primary School are
as follows:
- House Sports Day - sausage sizzle / homemade cup cakes
with icing of the house sports colours
- Pancake Day - Whole School Breakfast / Shrove Tuesday
- homemade pancakes
- Whole School Breakfasts held each term with bacon egg
muffins / English muffins, fruit juice & milk
- Billy Cart Grand Prix - homemade chocolates in the shape
of racing cars presented to the children for prizes
- Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - charity fundraising
with homemade scones, cakes, biscuits and slices with members
of the general community attending
- Easter - homemade rabbit shaped biscuits for the canteen
- Anzac Day 25th April - homemade Anzac biscuits
- Safety House Week - homemade biscuits for Prep with yellow
icing (classroom activity) & the canteen sold yellow food
products i.e. yellow cup cakes, yellow jelly & cheese
- Italian Day / Whole School Lunch - classroom pizza &
pasta making, pizza / pasta / gelati (special lunch orders),
staffroom - lasagne / garlic bread / salad
- Footy Day Lunch - hot dogs & meat pies
- Olympics Day
- Sausage Sizzles
- Family Week - Whole School Breakfast - Sept 2008
- Cater for Staff Retirements - homemade quiches, sausage
rolls, club sandwiches, slices, muffins sweet & savoury,
etc
- Cater for Grade 6 Graduation - fresh fruit platters, homemade
food etc
- Xmas Whole School Lunch - chicken, chips, homemade coleslaw
The ladies are very aware of the importance of providing
healthy, well balanced, nutritious meals for the children
and hide vegetables in many of the foods they provide i.e.
homemade spaghetti bolognaise sauce, homemade vegetable rolls,
quiches, etc. There are no lollies or soft drink in the canteen,
only bottled water. They are looking at ways that they can
improve many of their recipes to provide healthier choices
for the children and staff. The Canteen Menu receives a 100%
feedback report when it is assessed due to the dedicated work
that both these ladies do in the canteen.
How did they do it?
The canteen ladies manage to do all this work due to their
commitment, excellent planning, teamwork and organisational
skills. They are a credit to the school with some outstanding
attributes. With the autonomy to manage and run the canteen
in conjunction with the Principal and school council, they
have demonstrated time and time again their professional work
ethic. They are positive members of the school community representing
and embracing the value of volunteering and being an active
member of their children's school community and education.
What impact did it have on students and the school community?
- It has a positive impact on the students because it gives
them access to healthy food choices
- The children are encouraged to work in the canteen to
learn what is involved in the preparation of food and the
hygiene procedures that are required to be followed
- It also provides leadership, opportunities to increase
their self esteem and confidence
- The children also learn to develop a healthy attitude
about food and make healthier choices
- Helps develop a sense of parents and children working
together
- Encourages and fosters the benefits of volunteering
- Creates a climate where parents with past negative school
experiences are invited into the school and encouraged to
feel proud of their accomplishments
- It provides the school community with freshly cooked,
homemade food which unfortunately many parents do not always
have the time to provide due to busy working lifestyles"
- Carolyn Elliot, Principal
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