Ellenbrook Secondary College students Jazelle Duportail (Year 8) and Kyjuan Wijlens (Year 7) at Breakfast Club.
Camera IconEllenbrook Secondary College students Jazelle Duportail (Year 8) and Kyjuan Wijlens (Year 7) at Breakfast Club. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Ellenbrook Secondary College hungry to make difference in students’ lives with Breakfast Club

Lisa ThomasThe Advocate

ELLENBROOK Secondary College is making sure no student goes hungry and is capable of being their best in the classroom thanks to a special initiative.

The college hosts the Breakfast Club twice a week, providing healthy breakfasts for students, teachers and staff and creating a sense of community.

Co-ordinator Sharima Atkinson said the initiative started in Term 3 last year after a survey of the school revealed too many students were not eating breakfast.

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“I surveyed the students and found that only 30 per cent of kids ate breakfast every morning, so that meant a huge portion of the school wasn’t eating breakfast,” she said.

“I work in behaviour management and I know that if kids eat breakfast they are more likely to make good decisions.”

Ms Atkinson said the breakfast also gave the school a chance to come together.

“It creates a sense of belonging and pride,” she said.

“And if the kids learn the names and eat breakfast with all staff, like cleaners and the gardeners they are more likely to be respectful in the playground.”

Ms Atkinson said the food was provided by Food Rescue, Foodbank WA, Brumby’s Ellenbrook, Pink Salt Cafe and The Lions Club of Ellenbrook, and students and staff then worked out what to make with it.

“We have between 250 to 300 kids show up each week for Breakfast Club and about 30 staff,” she said.

“We’re giving kids the knowledge of how to support themselves by making food and working with seasonal produce.”

Breakfast Club runs Wednesday and Friday between 7.30 and 8.30am at Ellenbrook Secondary College for all students and staff.

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