KickStart programme too exclusive, say principals

The government has announced support of up to $1.9 million per year to the Kickstart Breakfast programme, meaning it will now include all decile-four-and-under schools. But local schools report a lack of information about the programme run by Fonterra and Sanitarium.

Avon primary school has been involved in the programme for almost five years, says principal Denise Hendren.

"It's an effective programme, as those children without anything to eat in the morning have no chance to get anything productive done." With the government support Stratford Primary school is now also eligible for the programme. Principal David Cripps says that, while the school doesn't have any significant issues with students not having enough to eat, it wouldn't turn down the offer of help. As yet he hasn't received any correspondence from the Ministry of Education or either of the KickStart partners about how to register, though.

Carly Robinson, general manager of social responsibility at Fonterra, explains this is because the programme expansion is still in its planning phase.

Fonterra aims to have made correspondence with schools by the end of term.

The decision to only include decile-four-and-under schools has come under debate, with many principals suggesting that the struggle to provide adequate nutrition is not exclusive to low socio-economic schools.

Rae Sullivan-Brown, principal of St Joseph's Stratford, says it is an issue that is faced across the board of all socio-economic levels, and that decile four is quite a narrow range. Karen Patterson, principal of Inglewood Primary, agrees that it isn't an issue exclusive to deciles.

"Breakfast is too important to any child. It can change their whole day."

Stuart Beissel, principal of Midhirst School, suggests the government could look at means testing before making an assessment on whether the school should be provided with breakfast.

"Perhaps look for families that hold a community services card."

Carly says Fonterra is confident it is helping the right people and that the second phase of the programme will be extending help to any school that requires it, despite itsdecile by 2014. Ngaere School and Pembroke School principals have said they don't have an immediate need for help for families within their school community, but if they found a student or two in need they would appreciate being considered for the KickStart programme.

Pembroke School principal Caroline Beissel is very supportive of the KickStart programme. "Children can focus so much better with breakfast in their tummies."

To learn more about KickStartvisit www. kickstartbreakfast.co.nz