❓ Mr. Williams asks about the government's plan to expand the School Breakfast Program. The Minister details the $28 million investment to extend the program to five days a week in more schools, highlighting the benefits for student wellbeing and engagement.
AnsweredQoN 680Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Education—School Breakfast Program
680. Mr Rhys Williams to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to supporting the wellbeing of all Western
Australians and ensuring healthy lifestyles. Can the minister update the house
on the government's plan to provide more students from around Western Australia
with greater access to healthy breakfasts?
680. Mr Rhys Williams to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to supporting the wellbeing of all Western
Australians and ensuring healthy lifestyles. Can the minister update the house
on the government's plan to provide more students from around Western Australia
with greater access to healthy breakfasts?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for Mandurah for the question and for his strong advocacy on behalf of the schools
in his community.
Before I give an
answer, I say thank you so very much to Christian Huggins, the year 6 teacher,
and the student leaders from Carramar Primary School who are here today amongst
so many students. I do not know whether it is a coincidence, but today is World
Children's Day. Go figure. It was great to see so many of them in the gallery.
The Cook Labor
government is expanding the School Breakfast Program because we know that
schools provide an important service in providing breakfast to students right
throughout the state. This election commitment for a $28 million investment will
allow schools to extend that program to five days a week. We know that school
communities right throughout Western Australia are welcoming that election
commitment, which is now being delivered.
A few weeks ago, I
was at East Maddington Primary School with the member for Thornlie—what
a great school; I met some extraordinary young people there—to announce
that, together with Foodbank, we are going to roll out our election commitment
and schools can now apply to be part of this program in 2026. We know that when
children feel safe and supported, they are more engaged at school and are more
resilient and more fulfilled. It was great to talk to those students about what
the breakfast program meant for them, not only to make sure that they feel
healthy for the school day, but also in terms of the connection and getting
them ready for the start of the school day. We know that many schools currently
provide the service for only two days a week, so this investment will allow
more schools to participate in and roll out the program over five days a week.
I want to also
highlight what it will mean. We are increasing not only the number of days that
schools will be able to provide the program, but also the number of schools—up
to 680 schools across the state. An additional 130 schools throughout the state
will provide that important breakfast program to kids and families. We want
more students to get access to a healthy breakfast more often so that they can
have the best possible start to each and every school day. From public schools
to non-government schools, this program will support families right across the
state. I know this program received bipartisan support during the state
election, which was great to see, so I know members on all sides will be doing
everything they can to promote this important election commitment that we are
now delivering on. I know that term 4 is very busy for many schools and
particularly for administration, but I want to encourage every single school
that has been invited to participate in the program to get their applications
in so that we are ready to support them with a five-days-a-week school
breakfast program in 2026.
The Speaker: The member for Carine with the last
question.
for Mandurah for the question and for his strong advocacy on behalf of the schools
in his community.
Before I give an
answer, I say thank you so very much to Christian Huggins, the year 6 teacher,
and the student leaders from Carramar Primary School who are here today amongst
so many students. I do not know whether it is a coincidence, but today is World
Children's Day. Go figure. It was great to see so many of them in the gallery.
The Cook Labor
government is expanding the School Breakfast Program because we know that
schools provide an important service in providing breakfast to students right
throughout the state. This election commitment for a $28 million investment will
allow schools to extend that program to five days a week. We know that school
communities right throughout Western Australia are welcoming that election
commitment, which is now being delivered.
A few weeks ago, I
was at East Maddington Primary School with the member for Thornlie—what
a great school; I met some extraordinary young people there—to announce
that, together with Foodbank, we are going to roll out our election commitment
and schools can now apply to be part of this program in 2026. We know that when
children feel safe and supported, they are more engaged at school and are more
resilient and more fulfilled. It was great to talk to those students about what
the breakfast program meant for them, not only to make sure that they feel
healthy for the school day, but also in terms of the connection and getting
them ready for the start of the school day. We know that many schools currently
provide the service for only two days a week, so this investment will allow
more schools to participate in and roll out the program over five days a week.
I want to also
highlight what it will mean. We are increasing not only the number of days that
schools will be able to provide the program, but also the number of schools—up
to 680 schools across the state. An additional 130 schools throughout the state
will provide that important breakfast program to kids and families. We want
more students to get access to a healthy breakfast more often so that they can
have the best possible start to each and every school day. From public schools
to non-government schools, this program will support families right across the
state. I know this program received bipartisan support during the state
election, which was great to see, so I know members on all sides will be doing
everything they can to promote this important election commitment that we are
now delivering on. I know that term 4 is very busy for many schools and
particularly for administration, but I want to encourage every single school
that has been invited to participate in the program to get their applications
in so that we are ready to support them with a five-days-a-week school
breakfast program in 2026.
The Speaker: The member for Carine with the last
question.
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