Research shows that children should in fact eat every 90 minutes. 5 terms ago (2017) we introduced a complex carbohydrate break between 9 and 9.30am each morning as a trial.

For the last 5 terms while we have been trialling this strategy it has been funded by the cluster and the school. 

Children were offered a piece of wholemeal bread with butter, marmite or peanut butter. They were the only options. 

Complex Carbohydrates - Slow Burn Carbs

Complex carbohydrates are often referred to as ‘slow burn’ carbs. This is because, unlike simple carbs that immediately convert into glucose, complex carbohydrates break down much slower and as a result, release energy to the body in a steady flow. Simple carbohydrates convert instantly to glucose so you get spikes in the bloodstream. However, those sugar levels also fall just as rapidly as they rise which leads to crash and burn.

Complex carbs benefit your health on several levels among which are sustainable levels of energy, increased digestion and immunity, heart health and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

We have found that it was beneficial for the students and that they loved it! We have also had positive feedback from parents and teachers that the carb snack is a great "pick-me-up" for children at this point in the day.

The cluster can no longer fund this initiative and the cost is also prohibitive for the school therefore we need to find another way to keep this going.

At this point we ask that you provide your child with the prescribed carb snack. 

One piece of wholemeal bread with or without butter (not margarine). If they want they can have peanut butter, vegemite or marmite but no other spreads. Ideally it would be good if it was packaged separately to lunch or you make it really clear to your child where the carb snack is. 

If children do not want to eat this snack that is absolutely fine however there will be no other options at this time. The bread must be wholemeal, not white, not whole grain.