Our Story
Operating across the North Queensland region, the inclusive approach of our Fuelling the Future Program ensures any child who needs breakfast or school supplies just has to go to school. We work closely with the schools to ensure that what we are delivering is having a positive outcome for students, the schools and their families.
How it started
The charity was formed in 2015 to support Townsville primary school students with school resources at the beginning of the school year. In 2019, pre-COVID-19, it evolved further to include supporting high school students in their daily nutritional requirements. We were stunned to find out that 1 in 7 students do not eat breakfast. Immediately, our concern turned to the nutritional welfare of school children, cognitive functions, and mental health. Schools do not have breakfast programs per se, nor funding.
The Fuel for Schools charity was borne out of necessity as opposed to opportunity.
The long-term benefit of an education can determine the quality of an individual’s life and provides a foundation for equity in society.
Our program encourages children to attend school and helps support children avoid the embarrassment of not having any food.
The added benefit to the community is that children are attending school and not wondering the streets causing issues.
Our Breakfast Club
Our Breakfast Club aims to support:
Health Needs - Contribute to a child’s nutritional requirements by providing a meal at the beginning of the day.
Social Needs –By interacting with adults on a social basis creating opportunities for connection and conversation, sharing responsibilities and learning from positive role models by those running the clubs.
Education Needs – Children need to start the day with a nutritious breakfast and the friendly and calm atmosphere of School breakfast clubs often set the tone for the rest of the day, by starting class on time and undistracted by hunger.
Childcare and Family Needs – All clubs are supervised by adults for at least an hour before school starts - usually the time when many parents need to travel to work.
Wulguru State School has a student population of approximately 240 students. As the new principal at Wulguru State School for 2023, I initiated Breakfast Club 2 days each week in response to our students seeking food prior to school. Often, these students would eat their lunch for breakfast, or simply go without. Within just a few weeks, not only did our students have full bellies, but the attendance on these 2 days showed significant improvement!
Term 2 saw the introduction of Breakfast Club every morning, which has coincided with an overall improvement in school attendance. Having our students at school every day and meeting their basic needs, like providing breakfast, helps to ensure they are able to access and engage in the quality learning programs being offered in our classrooms.
Jen McCaskill, A/Principal Wulguru State School