The school’s Christian Pastoral Support Worker, Kaylene Walker, said that for one reason or another, a number of students started their school day without breakfast – considered by many nutritionists to be the main meal of the day.

Ms Walker, in conjunction with UnitingCare Wesley Port Pirie’s Local Answers Parenting Program, with support from a number of volunteers, have revisited a similar program which was operated on the school premises a number of years ago. Food supplies for the program were accessed through Foodbank South Australia, the major source of food for the State’s Welfare agencies. Ms Walker praised Peterborough Salvation Army for purchasing the first order from Foodbank for the breakfast program.

The Breakfast Club will allow its participants to learn about, and prepare, healthy, nutritious breakfasts from such ingredients as canned fruit, muesli, honey and cinnamon oats, crumpets, muffins, juice, along with and multi-grain breads – topped with Australia’s favorite spreads!

Research shows that skipping breakfast on a regular basis can not only hamper the absorption and processing of information in the classroom, but also can be a major factor in obesity in later life.

Despite rainy weather on the launch of the Breakfast Club, preventing the opening barbecue, Ms Walker said that 12to 15 students attended which was very promising, and was encouraging to high school staff, volunteers Vicki Hampton, Gerald and Heather Hanley and UnitingCare’s Jenny Perrott.

Ms Walker said that she wished to thank volunteers, including those from the student population for helping the Breakfast Club off to a good start.

The Breakfast club will operate every Monday morning from 8.15 to 8.45am.

PHOTO: BRAIN FOOD...Volunteers helping Peterborough High School students make healthy choices with a nourishing breakfast as part of the school’s Breakfast Club, which will run weekly on Monday mornings are Gerald Hanley, left, Heather Hanley, PHS Pastoral Support Worker Kaylene Walker and Vicki Hampton.