Private school students at Somersfield Academy took top honours in the 2018 School Lunch Challenge this year, followed by Heron Bay Primary School.
In all, twelve schools won points and cash prizes based on the results. Somerfield Academy “topped the leader board with $1,425 in winnings with Heron Bay Primary in second place with $950.
The winners were announced this morning by The Argus Group for the competition, sponsored by the Bermuda Dietitians and the insurance group in partnership with the Department of Health.
The competition is open to all school-aged children in primary and middle years.
A spokesperson said the main goal of the School Lunch Challenge is to “reinforce the Healthy Schools Nutrition Policy for the consumption of healthy foods at schools and to encourage students to demonstrate how to put together a health lunch”.
“This follows lessons taught at the Bermuda Dietary Guidelines and the EatWell Plate that discusses balanced nutrition and the practical application of a healthy diet. These are also included in the nutrition component of the Premier’s Youth Fitness Programme,” she added.
Student lunches were judged by their teachers who then submitted photos and an explanation of a balanced meal first, second and third place winning entries to the Department of Health. A rubic assessment tool was used to judge overall winners within each year level. Points were awarded for nutrition explanation, visual appeal (number of colours), number of food groups, original use of vegetables and whether they included water or were trash free.
The list of overall winners in each category is as follows:
P1: 1st place – Kamryn Fox (West Pembroke Primary), 2nd place – Holden West (East End Primary) and 3rd place – Jaylon Glasford (West Pembroke Primary).
P2: 1st place – Ayami Wilkinson (Dalton E Tucker Primary), 2nd place – McKenna Redcliffe (Somersfield Academy), 3rd place – Jackson LaHuta (Somersfield Academy).
P3: 1st place – Nora Ferris (Somersfield Academy), 2nd place – Kylen Richard (Somersfield Academy), 3rd place – Ja’miyah Johnson (Heron Bay Primary).
P4: 1st place- Genesis Payne (Heron Bay Primary), 2nd place – Paige Lindo (Somersfield Academy), 3rd place – Noah Amaradasa (Port Royal Primary).
P5: 1st – Jahnai Caines (Heron Bay Primary), 2nd place – Rose Paulos (Somersfield Academy), 3rd place – Icye-Julez Burrows (Dalton E Tucker Primary).
P6: 1st place – Tristan Robinson (Port Royal Primary), 2nd place – Jaliyah Caines (Heron Bay Primary), 3rd place – Donte Sousa (Heron Bay Primary).
M1: 1st place – Ava Gabai-Maiato (Somersfield Academy), 2nd place – Liam Foster (Somersfield Academy).
M2: 1st place – Ashonee Abudallah (TN Tatem Middle School), 2nd place – Blake Olivera (Warwick Academy), 3rd place – Kwame Naylor (Warwick Academy).
Other schools that received cash prizes included Dalton E Tucker Primary, East End Primary, Gilbert Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Port Royal Primary, St George’s Preparatory, TN Tatem Middle School, Victor Scott Primary, Warwick Academy and West Pembroke Primary.
Michelle Jackson, Executive Vice President of The Argus Group, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support the School Lunch Challenge. By encouraging healthy eating at a young age, we aim to inspire healthy habits.”
Health Minister Kim Wilson said: “It is exciting to know that partners are committed to our school children.
“I am pleased with the partners’ initiative to work together in our schools, with students and parents for change. I applaud everyone’s consistent efforts as once we celebrate the fourth year of the School Lunch Challenge awards success.
“This challenge teaches students about good health, healthy eating and allows them to implement what they learned and to put it in practice to create a healthy lunch. This can help lead them to healthy habits as adults.”
Each student who took part in the Challenge received a lunch bag, stainless steel water bottles and utensil sets. Students who won first place received a copy of ‘Best Lunch Box Ever: Ideas and Recipes for School Lunches Kids Will Love’ by Katie Sullivan Morford.
Second place winners received a Bluetooth fidget spinner speaker and third place winners received gift certificates for The Bookmart. The gifts and prizes were provided by The Argus Group, Well Bermuda, Nutrition Services and Healthy Schools.
- Feature Photos Supplied
