Case Study - Kai Express

CASEstudy THE KAI EXPRESS BREAKFAST CLUB

Glen Eden Intermediate Auckland Leisha Tuaoi, a teacher at Glen Eden Intermediate in Auckland, saw a need to provide access to food for some of the school’s students.

While the school of just over one thousand year 7-8 students is not a part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme, it recognised that providing an essential necessity such as kai, enables children to be able to learn, think and grow te taha tinana (the body) and to grow to hinengaro (the mind).

“It is our philosophy to support our tamariki, uphold their mana and integrity, build positive relationships, and provide an opportunity for students to grow and be at their best,” explained Tuaoi.

With that in mind, the Kai Express Breakfast Club (KE) was born.

“We offer kai in the hope that we can achieve some of these goals and offer opportunities for changes that might make life a little easier for some of our students. Since Covid, many communities have struggled, and we have had some whanau who have needed to reach out for support.”

All students at Glen Eden Intermediate are welcome to attend the breakfast club and are encouraged to bring a friend. The breakfast club operates from Monday to Friday during the first break 10.15 – 10.30am (in the hope of capturing students who come to school late in the mornings). The school also offers a basic lunch for students to collect, containing things such as muesli bars, crackers, and biscuits.

“We are a ‘one stop shop’ as we offer breakfast, lunch and feminine products for our students through a programme organised by one of our teachers, Nicola Pitcher.”

Kickstart Breakfast, a joint initiative between Fonterra, Sanitarium and the Ministry of Social Development provides the school with milk and Sanitarium Weetbix. The school also receives kind donations of cereal, fruit and sometimes crackers from VisionWest, West Auckland. “Junior Tavai from the Youth Hub West, who provides Affirmation and Leadership programmes at GEIS, often drops in snacks to pop in

lunch boxes - every small, kind act, makes a huge difference for some of our tamariki.” In response to KE, the students have reported that they enjoy coming in and spending time with others, noting that “this is our safe place.” Tuaoi explained that as the school is large, it is a challenge to find some of the students who are more vulnerable, so it is hoped that they are identified through their teacher or that they hear about the breakfast club from their friends. “We advertise our club via our television show, Cactus, we have fliers in every classroom, and we rely on word of mouth. Some staff members have said that it is a great thing that we are doing for our students. It’s nice to see them at school and have them come up to our staff and say hello out in the playground.” Tuaoi said the school’s Principal, Maree Stavert, has fully supported the initiative and provides food items. She has, over many years, built positive relationships with VisionWest, MAREE STAVERT West Auckland, so the school can work together with them to make things work for the children. “It has been a great team effort. Since opening the breakfast club our teachers, at different stages, have all played different roles in our team (Pam Hooper-Corbett, Sara Badawi, Anne Wooster, Christina Jones, Nichola Leslie, Vaimoana Va’ai, Anna Evans). “I love the impact that our club has had on some of our students as they have blossomed in confidence and always offer to help set up and pack down at breakfast time,” concluded Tuaoi. “They meet new friends and build positive relationships with staff. Hopefully, we make a small difference in the lives of our taonga.” H

LEISHA TUAOI