The Andrews Labor Government is making sure students can thrive at school by expanding the School Breakfast Clubs Program to offer lunches and school holiday supplies to children who need them.

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle today visited Sebastopol Primary School on behalf of the Minister for Education James Merlino, to help launch the $58 million expansion of the School Breakfast Clubs Program. Sebastopol Primary School is set to be one of the first schools to offer the new lunch program.

A total of 500 new schools will join the School Breakfast Clubs Program next year, with lunches and school holiday supplies to be provided to students who need them. A limited lunch menu starts at some schools from term 3, with a broader menu offering rolled out next year as part of the ongoing roll-out.

Across Western Victoria this includes Ararat West Primary, Avoca Primary, Concongella Primary, Donald Primary, Meredith Primary, Navarre Primary, Warrenheip Primary, Ararat Secondary, Beaufort Secondary, Colac Secondary, Dimboola Memorial Secondary, Horsham Secondary, Mount Clear College, Mount Rowan Secondary, and Woodman’s Hill Secondary. The brand-new Lucas Primary School is also set to join the School Breakfast Program.

This is a part of the Labor Government’s ongoing work to support children from disadvantaged families to fully participate in their learning at school and build happy and healthy lives.

Schools that currently host the School Breakfast Clubs Program – including Sebastopol Primary – will start serving lunches at school and providing holiday supplies to students who need it in term 3 of this year.

Under the expansion, the School Breakfast Clubs Program will be rolled out to an additional 500 schools, with a total of 1000 government primary, secondary, P-12 and special schools set to benefit by the end of 2020.

From the start of next year, 125 schools will be added to the School Breakfast Clubs Program each term, ensuring more students from families that are experiencing disadvantage have the support they need to succeed at school.

The breakfast and lunch menu offerings include a range of healthy options such as muesli, Vita Brits, milk, baked beans, fruit cups, fresh apples, Vegemite and honey, and lunch bowls. Since the program started in 2016, more than 8.8 million breakfasts have been delivered to Victorian students.

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“More than 8 million breakfasts have already been served to students. Now, having lunches will make it easier for children who may not be able to bring food to school.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“As a volunteer at Sebastopol Primary’s school brekky club, I know what a difference this is making. As we all know, kids can’t concentrate if they’re hungry, and this program’s expansion means more students will get the two meals they need.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Whether it’s rebuilding and upgrading our schools, saving TAFE or expanding the school breakfast program, it’s only Labor that’s giving students across Ballarat the support they need to grow and thrive.”