Glencastle National School named Healthy Heroes School of the month

Glencastle National School has been named Healthy Heroes School of the Month for February 2024.

The Mayo school came first among hundreds of primary schools across the island of Ireland also participating in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club initiative supported by the Irish Bread Bakers Association (IBBA) and Bord Bia. 

The programme aims to educate children on nutrition, physical activity and how to maintain and enjoy healthy lunchtime habits.

Teacher and Healthy Heroes Coordinator at Glencastle National School, 

Mary Lavelle, said the entire school community is ‘over the moon’ after being named the Healthy Heroes school of the month for February. 

“The pupils love taking part in the programme and have made a brilliant effort in making their lunches healthier every day, and love talking about it. The older pupils are acting as role models to the younger students, and you can see they have a real sense of pride in promoting healthier food choices and encouraging more exercise at lunchtime,” she explained.

Designed by teachers and behaviour change experts with the support of Dr Mary McCreery, one of Ireland’s leading consultant nutritionists and dieticians, the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club gives children the opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, all while learning to stay active and eat healthily.

Now in its tenth year, the programme allows pupils to learn about nutrition, while helping to boost children’s activity levels in a supportive learning environment.

The programme also involves a novel peer learning approach with sixth class students mentoring younger students on the importance of nutrition and being active. This provides the younger children with important role models, while the older children have an opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Shauna McCarthy, who oversees the programme on behalf of the IBBA congratulated everyone at Glencastle National School for their efforts in ‘embodying just what it means to be true healthy heroes’. 

“It’s wonderful to hear such positive feedback from the teachers and the students. We’re delighted to see that the programme is helping to make a real difference in the classroom.

“School lunchtime is an important opportunity to develop positive attitudes towards food choices and nutrition.  Incorporating healthy eating habits from a young age and in a playful environment is a vital stepping stone to their future food habits,” she concluded.

For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit their website or email healthyheroes@realnation.ie.