Sutherland Shire school's sweet treats ban sets a healthy example

A Sutherland Shire primary school has banned pupils from taking lollies, chewing gum and any other confectionary onto the premises.

Burraneer Bay Public School outlined the ban in a recent newsletter to parents.

The newsletter said: "Several students have been bringing bags of lollies to school and sharing them with other children. Students are not allowed to bring lollies, chewing gum or confectionery of any sort to school."

The newsletter said the ban was part of the NSW Nutrition in Schools Policy adopted on July 18 to provide a framework for schools to commit to healthy eating.

"At Burraneer Bay, we promote and model healthy eating and good nutrition across all school activities, relating to the provision of food and drink, not only through the school canteen," the newsletter said.

"The policy applies to all situations where food or drinks are made available or provided to students.

"Lollies, chocolate and sweets are considered red foods.

"Food-based rewards that fall into the red category should only be used occasionally.

"This also applies to visitors, guest speakers, voluntary tutors, parent helpers and organisation representatives who are visitors to the school."

Principal Greg Fitzgerald said parents and teachers put the idea forward largely to address the problems with behaviour and concentration that resulted from the "sugar hit" caused by eating confectionary at school.

"We want to promote healthy eating and I think we feel that . . . if we allow children to bring lollies to school it affects the message we are trying to promote," Mr Fitzgerald said.

He said he had not received much feedback since the ban came into effect but hoped the school community would support it.

"I know often the kids that bring lollies to school, it's often not with their parents' permission," he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said the ban would not affect the policy of allowing children to bring in a treat such as cup cakes to celebrate birthdays.

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Source and Photo: St George & Sutherland Shire Leader