Western Australian School Canteens Association Inc.

This site will publicise achievements of school canteens as well as provide the latest information and items of interest to those operating canteens.

Government Policy and Standards for Food and Drinks Sold in Public School Food Service

For full information regarding the Department of Education's policy and standards you're invited to visit the website at www.det.wa.edu.au/healthyfoodanddrink.

Thank you to all of you who sent in your nominees for the 'Nan Marlow Award for Excellence in Volunteering'. Nan Marlow was a very special lady who contributed many hours to Gosnells Senior High School even though she never had children attending the school.

What would we do without these amazing people who give their time so willingly and commit to help in the canteen year after year? Without their help, many canteens have been forced to cut back the days they open or have decided to outsource their canteen operations to private providers. This once a year opportunity to recognise those who help to keep your canteen viable is our way to say how much you appreciate them. Goodman Fielder (Buttercup Bakeries) thinks so too and we thank them for their continued support of this award.

Each year the number of entries increases. Every school who nominated a volunteer will be sent a Certificate of Appreciation for each person nominated. The combined number of hours contributed by these nominated 'wonder' people to your canteens was 33,998. If a monetary value were to be placed on this year's nominees contribution at $18 per hour it would amount to $611,964 worth of time contributed by these 'wonders' alone. Imagine how many hours in total are contributed by volunteers to canteens throughout the State. Their time is worth literally millions of dollars to our schools each and every year.

The outright winner of the award this year is Mary Grant from White Gum Valley Primary School. Mary has been a voluntary canteen manager at the school for over 20 years and has seen her four children educated at the school. In 2003 a new canteen facility was built at the school and included kiln fired artwork completed by the students to decorate around the serving area. It includes a plaque stating 'Mary's Menu', a mark of the high regard that students have for Mary.

Mary was nominated for the award by Jan Stainton, of the P & C Committee who said "Mary is the stalwart of our school canteen and has saved the P & C a substantial amount of money by volunteering her time".

Congratulations Mary, we all hope you will enjoy your well deserved prize consisting of two nights accommodation for two people at the five-star Duxton Hotel with breakfast both mornings and dinner one evening. Relax and put your feet up – you have certainly earned a break!

These informal sessions cover topics such as tips to make lunchboxes healthy, the traffic light strategy of categorising foods, and how to read food labels.

Cooking demonstrations and the use of visual resources make these sessions the perfect platform for engaging parents and encouraging healthy eating in their children while at school.

Workshops run for approximately 1-1½ hours and can be tailored to the specific needs of the school and the parents. Sessions can also be arranged to include a number of schools in surrounding areas.

If you would like further information or would like to organise a session at your school please contact WASCA on 9264 4999 or email wasca@det.wa.edu.au