Neath School grows own fruit and veg after embracing Primestart schools initiative

3.06.08pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Oct 2007

Gnoll Primary School in Neath will next week welcome a host of famous faces to demonstrate how health conscious they have become, thanks to help from Neath Rugby.

The Welsh All Blacks groundbreaking programme was launched in October 2005 and has visited 49 schools in the Neath Port Talbot area delivering sessions on good nutrition, hydration, and hygiene, along with an active lifestyle.

The initiative is sponsored by Neath Port Talbot College & Corus Strip Products both of whom are making a difference to youngsters in the local community by supporting the programme.

Professional coaching students at NPTC have also used the initiative to gain invaluable hands on experience by delivering rugby sessions at local schools. Consequently the College Students have become an integral part of the Primestart scheme by teaching children about healthy living and an active lifestyle.

Since Primestart first visited Gnoll Primary 2 years ago headteacher Jean Davies and her pupils have banned fizzy drinks at school and home and have even been inspired to ditch crisps and chocolate and grow their favourite fruit and vegetables on the premises.

Since the introduction of the Primestart Cookbook in March youngsters at the school have even taken to making healthy recipes themselves and this will be demonstrated next Thursday in front of a whole host of visitors including Liberal Democrat Jenny Randerson, Councillor John Rogers, head Neath coaches Rowland Phillips and Jason Forster, Brian the Bull, the Primestart mentoring team, Neath Rugby players and Neath Port Talbot College Students.

The purpose of the groundbreaking Primestart recipe book was to help change children's negative perceptions of healthier foods and it has been a hit with the local children.

The bilingual, fun and colourful book also introduced caricatures of high profile Neath rugby players commenting on their favourite recipes, this has encouraged children to get excited about healthy foods, and help parents with cooking whilst learning valuable skills. This has not only provided children with the knowledge of healthy eating but has introduced a hands on tangible approach with food into the home.

Jenny Randerson assembly member for the Welsh Liberal Democrats has recently shown concern about the growing levels of obesity in young children in Wales and on October 11th will visit Gnoll Primary to see how healthy living and fitness has been embraced by primary schools along with more nutritious school meals. Jenny is currently working on a measure to improve nutrition in schools. She said "I am trying to get this measure spot on and feel that visits to good practice are part of getting my measure right"

Tag rugby workshops will be held with the Primestart coaching team & students from Neath Port Talbot College, Brian the Bull the club's mascot and Neath rugby players. Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust school nurses will deliver nutritional and hygiene sessions and a question and answer session will be held with the pupils to find out their favourite healthy recipe from the Primestart Cookbook.