Expanded Albany Senior High School breakfast club supports student wellbeing
The Parents and Citizens Association at Albany Senior High School (ASHS P&C) recognised a growing need within their school community: more students were facing food insecurity. And it was affecting their ability to be ready to learn. In partnership with Youth Great Southern and other community support, the school’s Breakfast Club can now provide all students with a nutritious breakfast, helping to remove barriers to learning and boost student engagement.
Program focus: Tackling food insecurity and supporting student health
The P&C identified a critical issue: when a full breakfast was served, up to 90 students attended. On the days when only cereal was available, attendance dropped significantly. This highlighted the urgent need for regular, nutritious meals for students facing food insecurity, which was becoming more prevalent as the cost of living increased. The expanded Breakfast Club aimed to provide inclusive, stigma-free access to healthy food five mornings a week, supporting students’ physical and mental wellbeing.
The program ensured that breakfast was available to all students at ASHS, regardless of their circumstances, to create an inclusive environment where no one felt singled out as disadvantaged. By offering a variety of healthy options, including hot meals, the Breakfast Club created a welcoming space for students to start their day with the nutrition they need to succeed.
Project activities: More options, more often
With the support of Youth Great Southern, the Breakfast Club expanded its offerings to every school morning. The program included not only breakfast but also access to fruit, snacks, and toasted sandwiches during break times, twice daily, to ensure vulnerable students had nutritious options throughout the day.
School staff joined forces with volunteers to run the program, and students identified as disadvantaged were encouraged to help prepare healthy snacks. This involvement extended to cooking classes, transforming the Breakfast Club into a whole-school experience that fostered positive interactions and strengthened community ties.
Impact: Full tummies and active brains
The expanded Breakfast Club served 85-100 students daily, demonstrating the significant demand for nutritious meals within the school community. The program’s success exceeded expectations, enhancing the school’s pastoral care efforts and contributing to a more positive school environment.
With healthy food on offer each morning, fewer students arrived late to school, reducing classroom disruption and supporting good academic performance. The program also improved interactions between students and staff, creating a supportive environment that benefitted the entire school community.
ASHS has committed to continuing the Breakfast Club beyond the funding period, integrating it into the school’s budget as a vital component of student support. This commitment reflects the program’s success and the recognised need for ongoing access to nutritious food.
“The program has enhanced the pastoral care offered to all students. It has resulted in fewer students turning up late to school and is expected to impact student attendance and academic performance. Most importantly, ASHS has identified the need and benefits that this program brings to the students and will continue to provide this program out of its budget, which speaks to the success of the program.”
Strong futures for Great Southern young people
In partnership with organisations like ASHS, Youth Great Southern is committed to creating pathways that secure strong futures for young people in the Great Southern region. We are always keen to collaborate with local organisations that share our values.
If you have a project in mind or would like to explore how we can work together, get in touch!