Principal 

Food Provision at College Events Policy

Late last year we began drafting a policy regarding the foods we provide at College events, such as House sports days and class parties. Following a consultation period, this policy was approved last week, and you may have noticed a change already at recent House events. 

The full policy is available under School Policies and Resources on Toddle, but the practical headlines are that we will now be:

• encouraging students to drink water, and stipulating that water is the only acceptable drink during sch time

• avoiding the provision of foods with artificial colours or flavours to students

• ensuring food sold for fundraising activities reflects the nutrition principles outlined in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, and supported by the Victorian Curriculum’s Health and Physical Education Standards.

Specifically, the following foods will not be supplied to students at College events and functions: Zooper Doopers, flavoured soft drinks, Skittles, or M&Ms – all are products high in a range of artificial colours and flavours. One key issue is the presence of the preservative sodium benzoate along with various artificial colours. In combination, these have been linked to adverse behavioural and attention impacts on children. This article from Choice Australia gives a good overview of the concern. In Europe, foods containing this combination are labelled with the warning: “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” 

As a school, we have a choice about what foods and drinks we provide to students at College events. This policy will help to ensure that we provide healthy and responsible foods to students, and reinforce a positive example of healthy eating and informed nutrition.