Borders primary schools prepare to get a taste of St Andrew’s Day
Wednesday, November 29 2006
School dining rooms across the Borders will be serving up a good ‘auld’ treat for youngsters in the region’s schools to celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
As part of Scottish Borders Council's Hungry for Success programme, school meals on 30th November will include a traditional feast of haggis, steak pie or vegetarian haggis, served with rumblethumps (potatoes with cabbage) and turnip and followed by trifle and shortbread.
Frances Price, SBC's Development Officer for the Hungry for Success programme, explained why she is keen to encourage events like this in schools throughout the region: "Hungry for Success wants to provide consistent messages between the taught curriculum and the school lunch. The aim is not only to encourage youngsters to eat healthily but to incorporate healthy eating throughout other subjects in the curriculum such as the preparation of food, history, geography and science, as well as getting a true grasp of cultural influences behind what we eat – and enjoying the food! This is what St Andrew’s day is about, linking Scottish history with Scottish food."
The 'theme-day' idea was first piloted by Hungry for Success on St Andrew's day last year and was a great success throughout the Berwickshire area. This year, almost all schools across the region are planning to take part and as well as having a traditional feast, many schools are organising activities such as wearing an item of tartan, porridge-tasting sessions, and working on projects dedicated to the life of Scotland’s patron saint.
"We are very pleased with the progress of the Hungry for Success programme in the Borders," added Frances. "With the school staff and pupils so keen and dedicated to take part in theme days such as this – it is really encouraging and rewarding, especially when the youngsters are actively learning and enjoying themselves at the same time."
Graham Clark, Catering and Cleaning Manager for SBC said, "By working with pupils through theme days like this we can encourage them to take an interest in the food that they eat, as well as the Scottish Heritage attached. It is important for pupils to understand where the various foods that they eat come from and how they are grown and harvested. Hopefully, by giving them this knowledge through the Hungry for Success initiative, they will take it forward into a healthy lifestyle."
Editor's Note
Hungry for Success is a major initiative from the Scottish Executive, which focuses on improving the diet and general health that will contribute to better educational performance of our children. Its prime focus is to improve both the quality and uptake of school meals across Scotland.
In the Scottish Borders, the initiative started back in September 2004, where new menus were gradually introduced to Primary Schools to ensure that school lunches provide an important part of a child's daily nutrients. These menus are now in place and all primary schools now enjoy the new approach.
In April this year, a pilot programme was kickstarted by the Border Reivers in two Secondary schools - Earlston High School and Berwickshire High School. This pilot was monitored over the summer and the new menus are currently being phased into the rest of the secondary schools across the region.
For more information please contact Tracey Graham, Education & Life Long Learning, Communications Assistant on 01835 824000 Ext 5461 or online
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