Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (14:17): I rise to highlight and commend the staff of Mooroopna Park Primary School on the work they are doing to ensure their students have full bellies when they tackle their schoolwork each day. I was lucky enough to visit Mooroopna Park recently and meet principal Hayden Beaton to learn about the school’s healthy food program, which provides students with meals prepared by a full-time chef employed by the school. The program provides students with breakfast, morning and afternoon tea and a cooked lunch free of charge. The school has also created a stall at the office where parents or carers can help themselves to groceries and other produce that they need. Staff also deliver grocery hampers to students’ homes when required.

While similar programs operate in other schools, it is obvious that Hayden and his team at Mooroopna Park have taken their program to the next level. With an enrolment of 150 students, Mooroopna Park Primary School is ranked in the top 3 per cent of the most disadvantaged schools in Australia, with the majority of students coming from a low socio-economic background. In 2019, the staff recognised that many students were coming to school without any food, and since then the program has made a massive difference in the attendance rates and academic results. But most importantly, it is delivering healthy meals to the children. I want to thank Hayden and his staff for the opportunity to visit their wonderful school and congratulate them on their healthy food program, which is making a real difference in students’ lives.