Blog Post

Pyes Pa School 

Mindy Wigzell • May 17, 2019

As part of Term Two’s Health Inquiry classes from Pyes Pa School took part in Food for Thought with classroom sessions and a visit to Tauriko Pak ‘n Save. And feedback from the teachers showed it tied in perfectly with the focus of the term.

Room 11 – The kids really enjoyed the programme, the hands on tasks really suited their learning style and this is evident in the knowledge they have retained. Even though we did Food for Thought a few weeks ago, the conversations between students in my class, discussing the sugar content in food, comparing their lunch box snacks and having conversations about what has more benefits is still happening on a daily basis!

It aligned well with our overall Health Inquiry this term, leading to some students looking more in depth into nutrition.

After the Food for the Thought sessions the class have planned a meal and created recipes which we are going to use for our shared lunch.

Thanks for sparking an interest in my kids!


Room 9 – Just like the other classes, we too have done a similar follow through after the Food for Thought sessions, we have designed healthy food options and presented them to the class, selecting ones to use for the shared lunch. It has all tied in nicely with the Health Inquiry and our Writing Programme. I think it was a fantastic programme and even I find myself reading labels better.

I think planning to teach this alongside a Health Inquiry made it complete the puzzle and I feel the students have benefited hugely from the information they have been provided. You keep them focused during sessions and took the time to listen to (soooooo many) questions from my class. Thank you for work, look forward to working with you again in the future hopefully.

By Mindy Wigzell 01 Dec, 2019
Four students from Tawa's (Wellington) Redwood School share their key learnings after participating in the Food for Thought programme with our Heart Foundation Partners. Tu Meke Redwood School!!
By Mindy Wigzell 19 Nov, 2019
October 2019 Food for Thought with Arapohue School. Pictured here is the senior classroom outside of Four Square, Dargaville. “A big thank you to the store staff, teachers, parents and grandparents who supported our session. What a fantastic school and community. I very much enjoyed my time with you.” Abi Alger, Nutrition Advisor, Heart Foundation, Northland Branch.
By Mindy Wigzell 20 Sep, 2019
Last week the senior classes from Holy Cross School were busy learning which foods are best for keeping their bodies healthy. Pictured below we can see room 18 comparing breakfast cereal labels and also ranking fizzy drinks from the lowest to the highest sugar content. The questions came thick and fast from each of the four classes - it’s so rewarding to engage with such awesome learners. Ka pai!
By Mindy Wigzell 28 Aug, 2019
A few weeks ago, five classes from Westburn primary school participated in Food for Thought. The students explored the aisles of their local New World in Ilam. They showed great enthusiasm and did an excellent job at being food detectives. It was also great to see the support of 28 parent helpers who came along to the supermarket visit and assisted the classes in their investigative work. Well done Westburn students, parents and teachers – a great job completed by everyone!
By Mindy Wigzell 16 Aug, 2019
Last week the students from Stirling school traveled to Balclutha New World for their final session of Food for Thought. Owners Julie and Craig invited the students inside to investigate their supermarket aisles. The students worked efficiently and made great comparisons between different food products. We hope that the students of Stirling school continue to use the skills learnt in Food for Thought when making everyday food choices.
By Leah Norman 31 Jul, 2019
The kids at Henderson Primary School had a challenge to make a healthy sandwich, wrap or salad, and a smoothie for their classroom. The competition criteria included appearance, taste, texture, culture, teamwork and using healthy ingredients. They drew on new skills taught by Lesley Carter, Nutrition Advisor from the Heart Foundation, who was also one of the competition judges. Each of the three year 5-6 classes were given a $60 food voucher to spend at Pak ‘n’ Save on their healthy shared meal and all teams were supported and mentored by parents and adult helpers. As part of their inquiry topic, the students in Team Karearea decided to have a MasterChef Challenge on the last day of term. Congratulations to Room 10, year 5-6 MasterChef Winners – Winning café-style Salad and mango smoothie!
By Leah Norman 30 Jul, 2019
Pictured below is Northland Nutrition Advisor Abi Alger with Matua James Duke’s senior boys class at Hikurangi Primary School in Term 2. Abi says that she thoroughly enjoyed her time in this classroom because the boys were engaged in the learning, interactive and respectful. A credit to their teacher and parents/care-givers too! “Ka mau te wehi!”.
By Leah Norman 15 Jul, 2019
Omanu School rounded off Term Two with an information packed couple of weeks of Food for Thought resulting in some great positive learnings from everyone involved. And some great feedback from the teachers. Also a massive Thank You to Mount Maunganui New World for their ongoing support of local schools.
By Leah Norman 11 Jul, 2019
Cool visit to deliver the Food for Thought program to STEAM students in sunny Nelson. We had a bit of a different in class learning space with the sessions held in the meeting room at Pak N Save Richmond ( they loved the wheelie chairs). Great food discussions were had and the everyday food picnic you all made looks delicious, Ka pai!
By Leah Norman 05 Jul, 2019
In the first classroom session, students learnt about the four food groups and healthy foods to put in their lunchbox. Students worked diligently on a worksheet putting a list of foods into their corresponding food group. Students applied their knowledge from the second classroom session on label reading at New World Tokoroa. These photos show students practising their label reading skills on real food labels to help them to identify healthier options and putting fruit and veges into their correct colour group. The students from Strathmore School enjoyed the supermarket visit and were rapt with their free lunchboxes.
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