Case Study: Petteril Bank School, Carlisle.
Written by Claire Rose, Teacher.
Having been involved in the PhunkyFoods programme this academic year I have been thrilled with how successful it has been with our children, staff and more importantly with a considerable number of our parents who are waiting in anticipation for the next PhunkyFoods after school club. They can’t wait to tell me when they have tried a recipe at home which is always a pleasure to hear.
When I returned from a residential week on Friday the first child I saw as I walked in the door said to me ‘Am I cooking with you next week Mrs Rose’? To which I asked him, ‘Well if you were cooking what would you like to make’? And his reply was ‘Spicy tomato soup’. For or child that struggles to engage this level of enthusiasm was quite unusual. It made me smile but brought home how much cooking and healthy eating is much more a part of our children’s lives than it ever was before and often gives children like him a sense of pride and achievement. Other than the after school club we have had a staff training session and a PhunkyFood week which involved lessons and activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. It included some of the interactive assemblies off the website and of course lots of cooking. We invited parents and the community to join us and sample what we had made during the course of the week for a garden party on the Friday afternoon. I also know that some parents took part in the Big Lunch event taking recipes they made in the cook and eat club Gill ran in the community hall next to school too. One parent has also shared the salmon dip and pea and mint smash up with another club she goes to and said they loved them.
I’m already looking forward to the year ahead and building on what we have already achieved this year.
Thanks PhunkyFoods and Gill we appreciate all your help and dedication.