Learning to veg out

11:50am Sunday 19th October 2008

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A PRIMARY school has been giving its youngsters a whole helping of healthy food lessons in the hope of improving eating habits.

The students, ranging from ages four to 11, from Peatmoor Primary School, Pepperbox Hill, spent much of yesterday watching Swindon College chefs prepare tasty, healthy, and quick meals.

The demonstration involved three cooks, and numerous pupils, along with their parents, who had been invited along to take part in the healthy eating week being put on by the school.

Organisers of the event say that it was vital to keep the parents, who make the children’s meals, involved in the day.

Paul Watermeyer, key-stage two and special projects coordinator, said the week is part of an ongoing school attempt to maintain its healthy school ethos.

He said: “We want the children to be dedicated everyday to healthy food and exercise.

“I think a healthy child is a happy child, and being both of those allows them to learn at a higher level.

“As educators it is a job to keep the children educated in how to lead healthy lifestyles, plus doing this traverses through many parts of our curriculum.

“Activities like today provide children new and fun ways to learn.”

Some of the week’s other events, which involved 210 students from reception to year six, also included talks from restaurant and supermarket employees who were discussing healthy foods.

Pupils from Greendown Primary were also there to teach the Peatmoor children about exotic fruits and vegetables.