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Wellbeing at TPS

Talk Plan Play & Supporting Student Wellbeing During NAPLAN

Hi families,

 

This fortnight we wanted to touch on the food students bring to school.

 

Fuel for Learning: Building a Healthy School Lunchbox 

 

What children eat during the school day plays an important role in their energy, concentration and overall wellbeing. A balanced lunchbox helps students stay focused in the classroom, participate in learning and enjoy active play throughout the day. Including a variety of foods from the five food groups helps ensure children receive the nutrients they need for growth, development and learning.

 

Teachers have noticed that some students are visiting the General Store before school and are arriving with quantities of sugar filled items. If your child has their own money and has your consent to visit the General Store before school, please have a conversation about the items being purchased to ensure they're not impacting on concentration levels throughout the day.

 

Quick Lunchbox Checklist

A simple lunchbox often includes:

- Grain foods – wholegrain bread, wraps, pasta, rice or crackers

- Protein foods – lean meat, eggs, tuna, hummus or beans

- Fruit or vegetables – fresh fruit, veggie sticks or salad items

- Dairy foods – yoghurt, cheese or milk

- Water as the main drink (students are required to bring a water bottle and may access drinking fountains at recess and lunchtime). 

 

Key Nutrients That Support Learning

- Protein: supports growth and repair (lean meat, eggs, yoghurt, beans).

- Iron: supports energy (lean meat, iron‑fortified cereals, leafy greens).

- Vitamin C: helps iron absorption and immunity (citrus, capsicum, broccoli).

- Calcium: important for bones and teeth (milk, yoghurt, cheese).

 

Simple Lunchbox Ideas

• Wholegrain sandwich or wrap with cheese, egg or lean meat

• Vegetable sticks with hummus or dip

• Fresh fruit

• Yoghurt or cheese

• Water

 

5 Easy Lunchbox Swaps

• White bread → wholegrain

• Chips → popcorn or wholegrain crackers

• Sweet biscuits → fresh fruit or yoghurt

• Fruit juice → water

• Chocolate spreads → cheese, egg or hummus

 

Supporting Healthy Habits at Teesdale Primary School

- We actively promote “nude food” (minimal packaging) to reduce waste and encourage fresh choices.

- Healthy eating is taught across Discovery classes, Kitchen Garden and Health & P.E., and students regularly grow, prepare and cook fresh fruit and vegetables through SAKGP.

- Our Pick & Mix Healthy Lunchbox Australia table is included in enrolment packs and is promoted each term in the newsletter to help families plan.

- The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating is displayed in classrooms as a reference for students and families.

- Please note: confectionery is not supplied through school food services and is not used for classroom rewards or gazetted-holiday celebrations. Small amounts of confectionery may only be used as a thin ingredient/topping in nutritious baked items. For birthdays, teachers will communicate any allergy or inclusive food needs so all students can participate safely (non-confectionery treats preferred).

- Any canteen or OSHC food services connected to the school follow the School Canteens and Other School Food Services Policy.

 

To view our Healthy Eating Promotion policy  

Additional wellbeing supports available for all TPS families