By Raquel Mustillo
MILLICENT North Primary students have given top marks to the school’s state of the art kitchen and canteen renovation project.
After Covid-related delays, the purpose-built culinary facility – which replaces the school’s existing canteen – was recently completed.
The major redevelopment includes six work stations with electric cooktops and stoves, refrigerators, freezers, sinks as well as a main tabletop.
Millicent North Primary School principal Graham Slarks said the redevelopment was part of the facility’s focus to improve children’s nutritional and health status and positively influence environmental behaviours.
“We had a problem with the quality of material in students’ lunchboxes, most of is packets of chips and biscuits and what we are trying to do is work our way towards some other options,” he said.
“We started out by developing a school garden and having the kids growing things.
“There’s about 30 fruit trees, seedlings, kiwi fruit, passionfruit, grapes, a vegie patch and a herb garden.
“We’ve also just taken delivery of some chickens to add to our existing garden.”
Mr Slarks said students will use fresh produce sourced from the school’s garden to prepare meals in the new kitchen.
“It will be a good opportunity for kids to develop their skills in the kitchen before they get to high school and learn about nutrition,” he said.
The project was partly funded by a $50,000 SA Health Healthy Towns Challenge grant, while $30,000 was be funded through the State Government’s education economic stimulus package.
Mr Slarks said the school provided $100,000 towards the project and was supported by Infigen Energy and Mitre 10.
The school recently hosted a pyjama day to raise funds for cooking cutlery and utensils for the kitchen.
Pyjama day coordinator and school leader Holly Lowndes said she was most excited about using the new ovens and cooktops.
“I really like the kitchen and the canteen and the fact we are able to cook in there,” she said.
“I think a lot of people will like using it because everything is brand new.”
