Kate Russell HSCL coordinator.
Our Lady Queen of Peace School,
Janesboro, Limerick .
Food awareness in our school.
The Cook It programme.
Our Lady Queen of Peace School.
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DEIS band 1 school
275 pupils. Junior Infants to 6th
30 Preschool
30 Early Start
240 families approx
8 Traveller families.
General challenges
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Homelessness
Unemployment
Drug & alcohol abuse.
Attendance issues.
Literacy issues among parents
Single parent families
Bereavement, suicide, murder, imprisonment.
Parental attitude towards education.
(Bad experiences in school themselves, early school
leavers)
• Very young parents
School Healthy Food Initiatives
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School healthy eating policy. 2014. Christine Gurnett.
Breakfast club
Homework club
“Caranbola” lunches
Sponge cakes & Spellings
He Cooks
School garden
Nutritionist
Public Health nurse.
Incredible Years Parenting programme.
Why ?
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Children hungry in school.
Poor nutrition and poor dietary decisions-concentration.
Processed foods and additives -mood and temperament.
An over reliance on processed food -obesity and
associated social rejection.
low intake of fruits, vegetables.
Peer behaviours and opinions become more important
the older a child gets.
Children are more likely to eat something they prepared.
Children have power to influence parents.
Children presenting with specific eating and food issues.
Specific challenges
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General poor food awareness & education.
Lack of confidence
Literacy
Tradition
Poverty
Homelessness
Poor budgeting & planning
Engaging parents in adult & family learning.
Priorities change when your life is in crisis.
Cook it Programme. Collaborative approach.
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Public Health Nurse for Travellers.
HSCL
Principal
Christine Gurnett, Senior community dietician HSE
Class Teacher
Alannagh O’ Byrne. Schools Health Promotions
Officer
• SCP
• Parent
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Target Group.
5th class Traveller child targeted by PHN.
Fourteen girls in 5th.
Five identified as having specific food/health
issues.
Target parent to train in programme and co
deliver it with HSCL
Planned to do “Cook it” programme with this
group before Summer holidays.
Target parents of this group to do programme
later.
Needs
• Healthy eating.
• Making healthy decisions.
• The effect food has on our bodies. Skin, hair, nails,
weight, energy etc.
• How to cook very tasty healthy food fast food only as
a treat.
• The importance of food safety/hygiene.
• Quantity & quality of the foods we eat
• Poor food selection and preferences for only a small
number of foods among children
• The dangers of skipping meals.
• The importance of an adequate intake of
carbohydrates, proteins, fibres, vitamins & minerals.
• The need to reduce fats and processed foods.
• The importance of exercise.
Cook it
programme
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Programme
Supplementary material
Learners book
Cook It
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Six week, structured but flexible nutrition education programme
Each session contains background information on the particular food
group, plus suggested activities and recipes.
SESSION ONE . INTRODUCTORY SESSION - This session introduces the
idea of healthy eating through the use of the Food Pyramid, & includes
essential information on good food hygiene.
SESSIONS TWO TO FIVE - Each of these sessions focuses on one of the
four main food groups:
Bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta and rice;
Fruit and vegetables;
Milk, cheese and yoghurts;
Meat, fish and alternatives.
SESSION SIX - This session examines the fifth food group: foods
containing fat and foods containing sugar.
Each session contains background information on the particular food
group, plus suggested activities and recipes.
General Outcomes
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Enjoyment
Knowledge
Willingness
Peer support
Pride
Influence
Practical skills
Independent learning
Responsibility
Specific outcomes.
• Majority of parents signed up for January
programme.
• Addressed specific eating issues.
• Marked decrease in fast food.
• Pupils learned how to cook simple nutritious
food.
• Children continued to use recipes at home
• Broader knowledge of food & nutrition.
• Plan annual programme with 5th class & parents
Challenges.
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Finance for resources & materials.
Engaging target parents
Training parents as facilitators
Boys more difficult to engage