Gone are the days when schools only concerned themselves with the ‘three Rs’ aka basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Modern educational facilities are expected to support the holistic needs of Indigenous students alongside their academic progression. Parents, students and society at large, now expect teachers and schools to model healthy choices in all aspects of life. The pressure is on school administrators to find ways to meet these expectations.
Indigenous student health and wellbeing can be broken down into three areas: physical, cultural and mental. Physically, they need healthy food and nutrition designed to mitigate risk of diseases which are common in Indigenous Australians, alongside sufficient sleep and exercise. Culturally, your pupils need to have chances to relax and unwind, cultivate friendships, engage in hobbies, sports and shared activities. Mentally, they need academic challenges and stimulation, but they also need to feel nurtured, supported, cared for; like they matter and belong.
Schools that fail to meet the holistic needs of young people in their care risk reputational damage. While it may seem like an insurmountable task to cater to every need of the student population, some schools are finding clever ways to use mealtimes to overcome these challenges.
Where possible include appropriate décor and food that connects them with culture. Create a relaxed and social mealtime location that doesn’t feel ‘stuffy’. Use pictograms accompanied by the written names of foods, integrating language skills with the dining experience.
Enable enough time to reach the dining room, get a meal, sit and eat it without rushing. Students who have enough time to eat will consume sufficient nutrients to perform well in class and sport. They will also have more time to socialise and make friends, relax and unwind. Rushing students through meals increases stress, food waste, and incidents of poorer academic and sporting performance, bad mood and behaviour.
Provide appropriate tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery for the size and age of the children. They need to be able to be comfortable during mealtime to get the most out of the experience. Providing the right utensils also helps students learn table manners and how to correctly use their cutlery.
Provide a warm, welcoming and relaxed dining location. Think about table shapes that encourage more socialising and discussion. Allow friendship groups to sit together but also find ways to ensure less popular students aren’t isolated. Ask students for their opinions and feedback regarding the meals, menu and service. Take criticisms on board and use them as a chance to improve.
Introduce culturally themed days, fun events and celebrations with decorations and menus that match the theme. Celebrations enhance happiness, fun and social interactions. They also alleviate boredom, which is great for supporting good mental health. You can celebrate holidays, mark important events such and NAIDOC Week, try international cuisines, or get involved in a charity such as RSPCA Cupcake Day. Special events give the students something to look forward to and can often be the highlight of the month.
Encourage them to learn more about healthy diets and meal planning. Show them how meals are created, teach the benefits of choosing fresh, in-season produce, portion control and how to make healthy choices. Have a cooking demonstration or ask students to share recipes they have learned at home. Involve them in growing food with a student-cultivated garden.
When the holistic needs of students are taken care of, their academic and sporting performances improve, as does their mental, physical and social wellbeing. This is great for the reputation of your school among parents, students and the wider community.
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