16 Dec 2015 Cobram Courier, Cobram VIC (General News) Free healthy and nutritious breakfasts are on the cards for a number of students in the region next year to help them kickstart a day of learning as part of the Breakfast Clubs program. Katamatite Primary School principal Jason Whiteley said the program would build on what the school had running this year. The Breakfast Clubs program will begin in Term 3 next year. Being included in the program provides our students with more alternatives to a healthy breakfast and provides a greater scope for their education around a healthy diet, Mr Whiteley said. The program will also provide the resources to extend the students cooking abilities, as we will have a greater range of foods and recipes. The school is currently in the process of finalising how the Breakfast Club program will be run. It has the ability to provide a healthy breakfast to all students, every morning, Mr Whiteley said. The school will incorporate this opportunity into its curriculum, meaning that students will play a big part in the preparation and serving of meals; working with our community volunteers. Cobram District Specialist School will also take part in the program next year. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said under the $13.7 million Breakfast Clubs program, students will be provided with a free breakfast every day. With one in seven children arriving at school with an empty stomach, the provision of free breakfasts will ensure these students no longer go hungry and allow them to get the most out of their education, Ms Symes said. Under the program, participating schools with existing breakfast clubs will get their free food delivered directly to their door. And for the first time, hundreds of schools will be offering Breakfast Clubs for the very first time. The Victorian Government has partnered with Foodbank the largest welfare food agency in Australia to establish and lead this state-wide program, using their existing warehousing, storage and freight network. A total of 174 schools will join the Breakfast Club program at the start of Term 1, with another 75 schools from Term 2, and 251 on board from Term 3. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day it sets our children up to concentrate, learn and be at their best, Ms Symes said. The Breakfast Clubs program is another way in which the state government is helping families so that all children can reach their potential, regardless of their circumstances. Caption Text: Delicious announcement: Katamatite Primary School students enjoyed a delicious breakfast at school once a week this year. The program is set to expand next year. Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au