Maynooth Post Primary School

Health Promoting School

Health Promoting School

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In January 2017 Maynooth Education Campus began the process of applying for a Health Promotion Flag. This flag is awarded by the HSE, to schools that actively promote a healthy lifestyle for students and staff. In consultation with the students, staff and parents it was decided to begin this journey by focusing on improving the food and drink choices being made within our schools. Our aim was to encourage all members of our school community to choose healthier food and drink options each day. We hope to see an improvement in the overall health of our school community as well as improvements in students’ behaviour and concentration levels as a result of these changes.

What have we done?

Since beginning this process, we have made lots of progress:

  • Our healthy eating ethos is now reflected in our schools’ new Healthy Eating Policy.
  • The school canteen menu has had an overhaul. Healthier options are available every day, including free fruit and veg to snack on! The canteen now displays information posters to make its customers aware of the health benefits of various foods.
  • Water is the only drink available to buy on school premises and the only drink allowed during class. Fizzy and caffeinated energy drinks are not permitted.
  • The school tuck shop no longer sells sugary snacks.
  • We ran a Healthy Eating week in school where there were samples of healthy food, cooking demonstrations, poster competitions and nutrition classes for students.
  • Throughout the school we have displayed information posters, to raise awareness of healthy choices.
  • All students, regardless of age or ability, are encouraged to participate in at least one of the huge array of extra-curricular sport and fitness options offered on the campus.

What’s next?

  • Coming soon on our website, we will have suggested healthy lunch options that students can make at home and bring to school. We will also have cooking demonstrations for students and parents to follow at home .
  • Sli na Slainte is creating a walking map of the school grounds which will be displayed in the school in the near future to encourage physical activity.

By the end of 2018 we will have submitted our application and hopefully, early in 2019 we will be celebrating the raising of our Health Promoting Schools Flag.

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What’s for lunch?

When it comes to lunches, it’s important that they are nutritious and tasty, but it’s also important that they are quick and easy to make.

Here are a few tips to help you to save time and send your child to school with a lunch that you’re both happy with!

  • Make lunch for the next day at the same time you make dinner. You’re in the kitchen anyway so it makes sense to maximise your time.
  • Make extra dinner and put it in your child’s lunchbox for the next day. This makes it easy and saves time. Maybe add a large salad to increase the amount of nutrients in the lunchbox.
  • There’s always the reliable sandwich. A few things to bear in mind when making sandwiches:

Include a carbohydrate: whatever type of carbohydrate you choose, make sure it’s wholegrain (bread, wrap, pitta)

Include a protein source: egg, tuna, chicken, beef, cheese, turkey, ham etc.

Include veg: 1-2 handfuls of salad vegetables and/or leafy greens. The more of these you pack in, the better.

Add herbs and spices to vary the flavours.

For a break from sambos, try this Quinoa Salad.

Like the sandwich ideas above, this lunch has the perfect combination of carbohydrate, protein and vegetables. It’s also a versatile recipe that will taste just as good with any grain (wholegrain rice, buckwheat, spelt, cous cous and any vegetables of your choosing)

Quinoa Salad

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 2cups (400ml) Boiled water
  • 1 cup (180g) Quinoa, raw
  • ½ tsp. Bouillon powder / granules, reduced salt (gluten free if necessary)
  • 1/3 cup (80g) peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 tbsp. Pumpkin seeds
  • 3 Spring onions
  • ½ cucumber
  • 10 cherry tomatoes
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Handful of rocket
  • 1 tbsp. Olive oil
  • Small bunch Parsley
  • Black pepper to taste

Optional: chili flakes, avocado, feta cheese, boiled egg, goji berries, dried cranberries.

You can use any veg and any grain in this recipe.

Method

  1. Rinse quinoa and then gently simmer the quinoa and water in a small pan for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. For the last 2 minutes of cooking, add in the peas to briefly cook.
  2. Meanwhile chop the remaining ingredients.
  3. Once the quinoa and peas are cooled, stir in the rest of the vegetables, lemon / lime juice and herbs.
  4. Transfer to a bowl and allow to stand in the fridge for 10-15 mins (or overnight) to allow the flavours to develop (optional)
  5. Drizzle over the olive oil, sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds and season with freshly ground black pepper
  6. Top with rocket.

Maynooth Education Campus, Mariavilla, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 X6X8
01 628 6060
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