Pontnewynydd Primary School - Ysgol Gynradd Pontnewynydd

Lower Leigh Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 8LQ

Headteacher: Mrs D Woodward, MA, B Ed (Hons)

Tel: 01495 763930    Fax: 01495 756894

E-Mail Address: head.pontnewynyddprimary@torfaen.gov.uk

Website: www.ppsnews.ik.org

Healthy start for Torfaen school pupils

A healthy breakfast is on the menu at many Torfaen primary schools - and for one it is so successful that the majority of pupils are signed up.

Around 127 of Pontnewynydd Primary School's 154 pupils enjoy a free breakfast before classes start.

Headteacher Debbie Woodward said the breakfast club, which is run by catering and school staff, had been a massive success since it was launched in October last year. Food on the menu includes fruit, cereal, toast and fruit juice.

"For whatever reason, we've found that by offering breakfast it helps parents' mornings run more smoothly," said Mrs Woodward.

"A good breakfast also enables children to have a relaxed, welcoming and sociable start to the morning and we've found that it also means children are more receptive to learning."

"I would like to commend staff for their commitment in helping providing all our pupils with such as positive and healthy start to the day."

Breakfasts are offered at Torfaen schools as part of a Welsh Assembly initiative.

Mrs Woodward said that by working with officers from Torfaen Council they were able to get children to arrive on the school bus earlier in the morning so they can enjoy breakfast before classes start.

"The Council, staff and governors have all been supportive to ensure schemes like the breakfast club are a success," she said.

Torfaen County Borough Council has 21 primary schools offering the breakfasts. Fruit tuck shops also operate in 24 primary schools. Torfaen Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, which provides school meals in the County Borough, said: "Schemes, like the one run in Pontnewynydd, are very successful and ensure that children have the best possible start to the morning.