State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland was given a tour of Seymour College’s primary campus and early learning centre Our Place on Thursday, June 15.
The tour included a meet-and-greet with new principal Debbie Oliver and a visit to the college café, where primary students receive a cooked lunch each day.
Initially visiting to learn about Our Place, the tour was broadened.
Liz Tregenza from Our Place said the visit was a great chance to show the local MP some of the integrated pathways that had been adopted to ensure the health and wellbeing of students all the way through their years of education.
“Annabelle was very enthusiastic. She was very positive and keen to meet Debbie. She was positive about the school, college café and Our Place initiative,” Ms Tregenza said.
The introduction of the college café, where students can receive morning tea and lunch each day for no extra cost, began at the start of the year, after a morning tea provided to all primary school students had a positive effect on the students’ learning and attentiveness.
Students can also join the breakfast club before school to start the day with a full stomach.
“Staff have noticed a marked improvement in (students’) attendance, ability to regulate themselves and their learning and playing. Kids tend to borrow more sporting equipment and play the whole lunch hour,” Ms Tregenza said.
“There has been a lot of attention into nutritional options and things that are palatable for kids.
“It took some getting used to but Luke, the chef, has worked really hard on developing a menu, and I think it’s working really well now.”
Ms Tregenza said that Our Place also offers Muffin Mondays, where students have a warm muffin for breakfast on Monday.
Ms Cleeland plans to revisit the school soon and learn more about the agricultural block.