Anyone for junk food?

Art and healthy foods activities in libraries during May half term 2008.

This half term children across Herefordshire found a new way to recycle all their old food packaging bringing it to their local library!

Children aged 5-12 worked with The Green Eyed Monster arts company in Ross, Hereford, Leominster, Ledbury and Bromyard libraries. The children found out about the Eatwell Plate, what sorts of foods belong to each food group and what each food group does to keep your body healthy.

Then using their knowledge they built a 1.5 metre wide plate of their own to go on display in each library. Glue, scissors, pasta and packaging were very much in evidence, as well as handmade fishbones, bubble-wrap corn-on-the-cob, and hand-coloured veggie kebabs.

The focus of the sessions was to help children understand that foods are not in themselves good or bad, but that a diet with a wide variety of foods in sensible proportions as detailed on the Eatwell plate will make you happy and healthy. Working with the packaging also helped them to see where many processed foods, even with some healthy ingredients, fit into a balanced diet.

Every family took home information about eating a variety of food and how to read food packaging, as well as information on local sources of good food.

The large plates will be displayed in the libraries along with labels which tell visitors which foods from each group are produced here in Herefordshire.

The Artwell Plate project was a partnership between Healthy Schools, Arts & Cultural Services and The Rural Hubs local food project.

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
The artwell plate (.jpg 703.5 kb)
Ledbury Library session (.jpg 759.5 kb)

 

Gold Ambassadors from Pencombe Primary School made their first visit as Healthy School ambassadors to Bredenbury Primary School on 3rd June, 2008. They were so enthusiastic that they have inspired the school council members at Bredenbury to set about applying for Gold status themselves next term!

Well done!

If anyone would like a visit from some of our wonderful Gold Ambassadors, please contact Sally - 01432 383163

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Pencombe Gold Ambassadors (.jpg 74.2 kb)
The presentation (.jpg 70.5 kb)
Talking shop! (.jpg 89.9 kb)

 

The Terrence Higgins Trust are very pleased to be launching the second round of the Young Leaders Project.
* They are looking for 12 young people (13-19 years old) to be on the
regional board for the West Midlands.
* They will award grants to other young people to run their own sex and
relationships education projects with their peers.
* The board members will be trained on sex and relationships as well as
project managment, leadership and decision making skills.
* They will achieve an Open College Network Qualification for their
involvement.

Applications are available on line to download from next week.

For more information visit the website ww.tht.org.uk/youknowyou or come and see for yourself at one of the open day events near you.

Links:
Terrence Higgins Trust - You know you

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Poster 1 (.pdf 141.1 kb)
Leaflet 1 (.pdf 205.8 kb)
Poster 2 (.pdf 131.7 kb)
Leaflet 2 (.pdf 207.5 kb)

 

Million Meals - fantastic section of the School Food Trust website to support schools with the compulsory standards regarding all aspects of school food.

"A revolution is underway in school food. Since September 2006, every pupil taking a school lunch is guaranteed, by law, a balanced, nutritious meal.

We now need to make sure they are eating them and the 'Million Meals' campaign aims to do just that.

If you represent a school, talk to your head teacher and sign up today using your school's URN number.

In return you will get access to a panel of experts and champions who will be able to give insights into how they have transformed their meal service and answer any queries schools may have. There is also a dedicated section of this website containing case studies, films, details of visits to members' schools and a host of other resources. The most successful approaches will be recognised in our Roll of Honour scheme."

Lots of other useful links below to support your school in meeting the food standards in imaginative and fun ways.

Links:
School Food Trust
Food for life Partnership
Food - a fact of life
I'm in season
Million Meals

Links:
School Food Trust (SFT)homepage
School Food Trust document downloads
British Nutrition Foundation (BNF)
Teen Weight Wise (British Dietetic Association)
School Food Trust resouces

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
BNF Packed lunch leaflet (.pdf 225.1 kb)
BNF poster (.pdf 277.4 kb)
Teen packed lunch leaflet (.pdf 1.3 MB)
Example of a packed lunch policy (.doc 52.5 kb)

 

Local mother of two and author, Joanne Roach, has produced a series of books that are to be given free to all 3, 4 and 5 year old children in Herefordshire. The 12 Foodies books are colourful, fun and each one tells a story about a fruit or vegetable of the month. They are grouped into seasons and contain a story, factual information, recipes, activities and links and encourage children to think about the particular fruit or veg and associate it with its 'season' in the garden.

Joanne has worked in partnership with Orleton school and Herefordshire Healthy Schools Partnership to produce this fabulous resource.

For more information and to see the book of the month, visit www.thefoodiesbooks.com

Please see the article below for downloads of associated activities.

Links:
Foodies books website

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Background (.pdf 200.7 kb)
Research (.pdf 132.6 kb)

 

Activities to link with Foodies Books.

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Plate exercise (.doc 104.0 kb)
Salt dough exercise (.doc 108.5 kb)
Sequencing exercise (.doc 162.5 kb)
Tasting exercise (.doc 75.0 kb)

 

The first in a series of 'Fresh look' booklets from the School Food Trust to support schools with the new food standards in school is now available.

'Making the food we provide in school healthier is only half the battle. Young people have to want to eat it. If you have a pleasant and happy environment, people will want to eat there. The School Food Trust has created this booklet to help overcome issues your school may face when trying to improve the experience children and young people have during their lunchtime.'

A fresh look at the school meal experience looks at how schools can make improvements to the look and feel of their dining hall, manage lunch times effectively, reduce queuing and improve behaviour.

Links:
School Food Trust website

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Fresh look at the school meal experience booklet (.pdf 885.8 kb)

 

COMPULSORY STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL FOOD

In May 2006, the Government announced new standards for school food. There were three parts to be phased in by September 2009. Interim food standards for schools lunches should have been in all schools by September 2006 and the second step including all school food other than lunch should have been in place as of September 2007. The final stage is to introduce nutrient based standards in primaries and secondaries by September 2008 and September 2009 respectively.

The responsibility for implementing the new changes lies with Local Authorities or schools themselves depending where the budget for school food is placed and has huge implications on tuck shops, after school clubs, vending, break snacks etc - all food provided in school.

New guidelines have been published and the latest information is on the School Food Trust website - links below. The Healthy Schools Team work closely with the local Community Dietitian and also have access to people who can support schools with policy, parents, children or can give support and advice on implementing the new standards.

For more information, support or advice, contact us.

Links:
School Food Trust website
Fruits and veggies matter
Food standards agency
British Nutrition Foundation

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
REVISED school lunch standards (.pdf 892.0 kb)
School food other than lunch standards (.pdf 1.1 MB)
Guide for parents (.pdf 1.5 MB)
Useful newsletter (Food - a fact of life) (.doc 31.5 kb)
School based food initiatives (to be updated soon) (.pdf 984.5 kb)

 

OUR NEW RESOURCE ROOM IS NOW OPEN AND READY FOR USE

Our new accommodation in Berrows House on Bath Street has allowed us to develop a dedicated resource room for use by teachers and colleagues with whom we work.

If you would value a quiet, well resourced 'space' with the Healthy Schools Team on hand if needed, to research, plan or prepare any work, please get in touch. It has internet access, books, DVD's, games etc on aspects of PSHE, SRE, Drug Education, Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and more.

Use of the room is by appointment so if you would like to take advantage of this, please contact us.

A monthly list of a selection of resources will be sent to schools.

We look forward to seeing you.

Where can a young person or a member of staff go for support or guidance on a substance related issue?

THE SCHOOL NURSE is an excellent starting point for help. They have all attended basic drug awareness training and can refer young people to the relevant agency if further help is required. Many of the school nurses are now trained to help young people quit smoking and can issue nicotine patches or gum as part of that process. Anything discussed with the school nurse is confidential.

ZIG ZAG The process for referrals to Zig Zag has changed. Trev, is currently the only Zig Zag worker. He can offer guidance, support and information to both young people and the adults who work with them regarding substance misuse. He can offer interventions to individuals but he is no longer able to offer education in schools. Parents evenings may be possible in some circumstances.

STAFF - FOR ALL REFERRALS please contact Trev directly as below:

Trevor Machell - Tel 07966 890897



Young people can contact Zig Zag through their school nurse, local Connexions Centre or School Personal Adviser.

For any other support or information regarding drug education in schools, contact: Liz Price, Drug Education Development Officer, 01432 383399 or email lizprice@herefordshire.gov.uk


1: Drugscope 2003
2: A Study of Alcohol Consumption in Young People-Beinart, S - 2002

Links:
www.drugsfaqs.co.uk - Drug information and advice
www.wrecked.co.uk - for young people re alcohol
www.talktofrank.com or 0800 776600 - National Drug Helpline
www.drugscope.org.uk or 0207 928 1211 - National drugs charity
www.re-solve.org - advice and information on the issue of solvent abuse

Downloads: (Right-click to save)
Zig Zag referral form (.doc 23.0 kb)