Louth’s Monksland NS crowned Healthy Heroes

Monksland National School was named Healthy Heroes School of the Month for March 2024, thanks to the staff and students’ efforts in promoting healthy eating.

Monksland NS 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.

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.

Acting Principal Elizabeth Finegan and Healthy Heroes Coordinator at Monksland NS said: “Everyone in the school is so proud that we have been chosen as the Healthy Heroes school of the month for March. The pupils are truly passionate about taking part in the programme and bring in their healthy sandwiches every day with smiles on their faces. They love to encourage more exercise at lunch too with interactive games, which is great to see."

Shauna McCarthy who oversees the programme on behalf of the IBBA said: “Congratulations to everyone at Monksland National School for their efforts in embodying just what it means to be true healthy heroes. It’s fantastic to hear such positive feedback from the teachers and the students and how much they’re enjoying taking part in it.

"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, nutrition and being active. Incorporating these habits from a young age and in a playful environment will make a big difference as they grow older.”

For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit Irishbread.ie or email [email protected]