Celebrating a Morning Milestone

September 2010

A small group of dedicated volunteers were served up a big thank you this month as staff and students at Tuakau College celebrated one year of Breakfast Club.

The club sees a group of school staff, Year 13 students and community volunteers serve up free toast, hot drinks and cereal to up to 200 students before class on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Many of the volunteers have been waking early, helping cook the toast and doing the dishes since the club began in September last year.

“Everyone does their own bit. It wouldn’t work otherwise,” says Karen Weaver, the school nurse who got the Breakfast Club started a year ago. “It’s a huge commitment from the volunteers and they have just been outstanding. It has been time consuming and required a lot of effort.” 

The hardworking group were rewarded with flowers and thanks on the one year anniversary, to which bus-loads of students arrived to feast on the hot breakfast before school.

As well as donating their time to the club, the volunteers bring in spreads, Milo and other food which complement the breakfast products donated by a range of businesses. The initiative receives bread from Field Fresh Tuakau and was also supported by a grant from the Counties Manukau District Health Board Nutrition Fund which was spent on a freezer and microwave.

When asked why they keep pitching in with the club, the volunteers all agree that they are there to help the students get fuelled and focused for school.

“It’s because of the children – just being able to give them something,” says librarian Lorrain Kraushaar. “It’s nice to see them in a different situation, to interact with them.”

Breakfast Club has also brought other benefits across the decile four college. Students who used to come late for class now arrive earlier and behaviour across the school has improved.

“It’s absolutely brilliant,” says deputy principal, Ashley Jacobs. “Karen and the leaders have done a brilliant job in terms of getting it going and keeping it going. The kids really appreciate it.”

The Breakfast Club will continue to need local volunteers and would be very happy to receive donations of apples, Milo and spreads from the community.