Curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment > School Health and Wellbeing initiatives >

Queensland school communities acknowledge tuckshop workers

The thousands of tireless tuckshop workers in Queensland schools are unsung heroes, and now on the first Friday in November each year they will get a collective pat on the back with the introduction of Tuckshop Day.

Many schools across Queensland recognised and thanked their tuckshop convenor and volunteers on the inaugural Tuckshop Day on 4 November 2011.

Sometimes we forget to notice the important contribution tuckshop workers make to the everyday operation of schools. Not anymore.

Thanking our volunteers

On the first Friday in November each year schools are encouraged to develop innovative ways to officially acknowledge and thank their tuckshop convenors and volunteers for the valuable role they play in daily school life. Tuckshop Day 2012 will be held on Friday 2 November. Tuckshop workers could be recognised on school assembly, at a special morning tea or with an official Tuckshop Day thank you certificate 442k.

Become a school volunteer

Family members like grandparents as well as local residents are welcome volunteers in schools and especially school tuckshops. The old saying 'more hands make light work' is never truer than in school tuckshops. Volunteers don't have to spend a whole day at the tuckshop. Parents or members of the wider community can make a real contribution by volunteering for as little as an hour. For more information about volunteering opportunities in schools contact Volunteering Queensland .

All tuckshop volunteers, other than parents, are required to have a Working with Children Blue Card to ensure the safety of students. People wishing to volunteer in their local school tuckshops next year should apply now as the Blue Card process takes up to eight weeks.

Smart healthy food and drink choices

The Queensland Government places great importance on providing healthy food and drinks in schools through the Smart Choices - Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools.

The Smart Choices strategy supports school tuckshops to offer healthy food and drink choices. Tuckshop workers use the ideas in the strategy to promote healthy eating as a way of maintaining good health. A nutritious diet ensures students' 'fuel' supplies are topped-up during the day which supports schools' social and learning objectives.

Brisbane chef David Pugh has been appointed the state's Tuckshop Champion. David is a strong advocate for Queensland produce in both state and national arenas and this makes him the ideal chef to support school tuckshops and the Smart Choices strategy.

To view the full Smart Choices strategy and related fact sheets and other resources visit the Smart Choices website.

The Smart Choices strategy is also supported by the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST). QAST is at the forefront of contemporary tuckshop operation and management and provides leading-edge information and support to its members.

^ Top of page

This page was last reviewed on 13 Dec 2011 at 03:31PM