Bribie Island club back to school . . .
and a healthy breakfast with the students

As part of a Focus on Bribie Young People, the Rotary Club of Bribie Island, Qld., has won immediate support to the island’s two primary schools.

Bribie Island State School has an on-going program to improve eating habits of students and increase their nutritional knowledge.

Part of this campaign is to provide all students with a healthy breakfast one day a week. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island makes a donation to fund the Healthy Breakfast Program for Term Three.

Rotary Youth Services Director Rick Thornton attended a breakfast to hand over the cheque to convenor Sue Runham and Principal David Fitzgerald. Students happily ate the fresh fruit and toast provided and looked forward to future weeks of cereal and toast, a sausage sizzle and other good food to kick start their day.

Many students commented that it was really cool to be able to have breakfast with friends. Food and fellowship . . . a very Rotary sentiment indeed!

Other important aspects to the program are the short Brain Break at 10.00a.m. where students are encouraged to eat and have a drink to tide them over to lunch, thereby revitalising their learning energy.

The school tuckshop has removed all high-sugar items and provides a selection of juices, milk and water. Most other items such as the muffins, toasted sandwiches and hamburgers are prepared on the premises from high-quality ingredients and cooked the low-fat way for a healthy diet.

‘‘From the line-up this week the cooking must be great,’’ said Rick Thornton.

Meanwhile, Banksia Beach State School is developing skills of students and opening up as many learning options to build confidence and self-esteem in growing young people.
An Alternate Options Course has been devised and is led by Teacher Gerry Neisler to allow young people to gain experience in more “hands-on” areas of learning, not usually part of the
curriculum. These projects allow the kids to “show their stuff” and contribute to the school and its environment, gaining in self-esteem and revitalising their learning energy. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island is delighted to be able to assist Gerry Neisler and the students with a sizeable donation to purchase the necessary tools and travel to ensure a good outcome for those involved.

When making the donation Rick Thornton was shown examples of excellent garden design and construction by students. Other students have been encouraged to explore their artistic
talents.

Rick Thornton said: ‘‘The Rotary Club of Bribie Island salutes staff and parents of Banksia Beach and Bribie State Schools for taking such positive steps to provide a smart, safe and healthy lifestyle for their children who are our future leaders. We are pleased to be able to support such initiative.

‘‘Young people are like fine art. If you invest before they become famous you reap greater rewards.’’