School meals
At Newtown Soberton Infant School, we believe that the best option for children at lunchtimes is to have the school dinner provided through our partnership with Hampshire County Council Education Catering, previously HC3S. We expect that parents will take up the option of the Universal Infant Free School Meal. This is because we believe that the school dinner option is much better for children's learning and health. We recognise the evidence that states:
- children are better prepared for learning if they eat well
- children make more progress if they have eaten the right nutritional lunch
- only 1% of packed lunches provide the correct nutrition
- eating school dinners is an important social occasion and the children learn vital social skills
Education Catering provide all the nutrients that children require through the week. They produce a menu which has a three weekly cycle and is available for parents to view.
Spring Summer Menu - no junk food
Spring Summer Menu - Healthier than you think
Visit the pages on their website for their menus and other information. News | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)You can also keep up-to-date, by following them on social media.
Facebook: @hc3seducation Twitter: @hc3s6
Education Catering also provide special diets for pupils with allergies and intolerances who want to have a school meal. Special diets are provided for pupils with a medical problem, not just a dislike of certain food. They will require medical evidence confirming your child’s allergy. You can apply for a special diet menu through the link below.
https://specialdiets.hants.gov.uk/
As Meonstoke CE School is a government funded school, all children are entitled to universal infant free school meals. However, if you think you qualify for Pupil Premium, please follow the link below where there is more information and you can check your eligibility. The school office can also do this for you.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals/juniorsecondary
Packed lunches
Alternatively children may bring a packed lunch. We strive to maintain our Healthy School Status and request that parents support this by making healthy choices for lunch boxes. We discourage chocolate bars and fizzy drinks.
We also operate a nut free zone in school as some can children have life threatening allergies.