We aim to encourage healthy eating and children learn about good nutrition within school. They are encouraged to eat their “5 a day” and drink plenty of water which is freely available around the school site. Children are encouraged to eat a piece of fruit at break times.
School Meals
Lunch
Pupils may either bring a packed lunch (in a named, sealed box or bag but no glass bottles, fizzy drinks or cans please), or they may take a lunch provided by our contracted caterers in our dining hall. We monitor the meals provision closely.
A healthy tuckshop run by children operates at certain times of the year selling fruit, rice cakes and other healthy goods. Children are informed when this is running and may bring a named purse containing 50p for use at the tuck shop.
Universal Free School Meals
Every child will receive a free school meal (FSM) automatically, but it’s vitally important that you still complete a FSM registration form if your child is eligible for extra funding for the school from the Government, worth £1,300 per year. That’s extra money to spend on enrichment activities, teacher development, and targeted support for the children that need it most. It may also entitle you to other benefits like food vouchers during the holidays. There is more information about registration here: www.redbridge.gov.uk/schools/free-school-meals.
We know that some families may be reluctant to enquire about eligibility for free school meals but we want to ensure that any child entitled to receive extra funding can do so in an easy and discreet manner. Children are not identified to their peers as being in receipt of free meals. Anyone who feels their child may be entitled to free school meals should apply online.
Special Food Requirements
You can view and download a copy of the lunch menu which includes allergen information for each dish using the link below and scrolling down to select Churchfields Junior School. https://www.pabulum-catering.co.uk/primary-school-meals
If you have any queries, please contact a member of the Pabulum team on 01252 819 991 or parents@pabulum-catering.co.uk
Daily Tuck Shop
As CJS is a healthy school we do not allow children to bring snacks into school such as; crisps, chocolate, biscuits or sweets. The school understands that healthy snacks can be an important part of the diet of young people. Pupils are able to bring fruit or vegetables at break times, including dried fruits and raisins. No processed snacks such fruit winders, fruit snack bars etc… which can contain as much sugar as some sweets. By simply having fruit or vegetables it is easy for children, parents and teachers to know the rules and be able to implement. There is not time wasted every break time deciding on whether the snack can be eaten.
We offer a healthy tuck shop at breaktimes to encourage children and staff to choose healthy snacking options.
Each piece of fruit costs 40p. It is available every day in the dining hall.
You can view and download a copy of the tuck shop poster below.
School Dinner Registration
All children eating school dinners must be registered on:
ParentPay – Please follow the links for more information.
To avoid any arrears, please register online and check your balance regularly.
What can my child eat in a packed lunch?
We continue to encourage children to bring healthy packed lunches; this means no chocolate, crisps or fizzy drinks.
Is there water to drink?
Children can bring in a bottle of water to drink in class. Bottles should be taken home each week to be washed or recycled to keep the water and bottle clean and healthy.
All around the site, in the playground and field there are water fountains and Mr Coleman cleans these each day with a anti-bacterial wash.
At lunch-time there is water and milk available on the counter and on the table by the salad cart.
What is the festive Christmas Dinner?
The children enjoy an extended lunchtime, with carols playing, and each teacher serves the meals for their class. The choices are traditional turkey, halal turkey and a vegetarian option, and every child receives a cracker.
Usually, all children take part and enjoy a special festive meal even if they usually eat a packed lunch. If your child does not usually have school dinners, please complete the dinner menu slip and pay £3 online for this special festive meal. Check on the school calendar to see when the special dinner is happening each year. It is a fun time, with all pupils and staff joining in the festivities!
What food is suitable for your child at break times?
We would appreciate your help with food at break times as we want to have a healthy school. The school understands that healthy snacks can be an important part of the diet of young people. Pupils are able to bring fruit or vegetables at break times, including dried fruits and raisins. No processed snacks such fruit winders, fruit snack bars etc… which can contain as much sugar as some sweets. By simply having fruit or vegetables it is easy for children, parents and teachers to know the rules and be able to implement. There is not time wasted every break time deciding on whether the snack can be eaten.
Plastic containers holding water can also be brought into school, but children cannot bring in glass bottles or fizzy drinks. Sweets, chocolate, biscuits and crisps are not allowed at break time.
Nut Allergies
Children must not bring nut or nut based products into the school. Several children in our school have serious nut allergies and protocols are in place to protect them.
Children are not allowed to bring in birthday treats to share with their class, this includes biscuits, sweets, party bags, chocolates or cakes.
