On the 25th and 27th April 2012, staff from the Home Economics Seminar Centre in liason with the Senior Management Team and teachers at Siġġiewi Primary school conducted interactive activities based on the theme of healthy eating. The objectives of these activities were to instil in Year 6 students knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to make healthier food choices and plan, prepare and serve healthy packed lunches and snacks.
An interactive presentation using ICT was facilitated among all Year 6 students. In congruence with the subject of Home Economics, a constructivist learner-centred pedagogy was adopted during the seminar where students actively participated and discussed via the case studies and real-life scenarios. Additionally, students participted in a hands-on practical session where they gained practical skills in meal planning, food preparation, personal safety and food hygiene. All year 6 student who were present for these sessions planned, prepared and served fish and vegetables patties which they could eat as a snack or get for their packed lunch. The patties were prepared using healthy, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Some of the ingredients used, namely cauliflower, parsely and mint, were grown by the students themselves at the school garden of Siġġiewi Primary school. The patties were balanced and nutrient-dense providing a rich source of carbohydrates, fibre, protein, a number of vitamins and minerals. This seminar also equiped students with practical ideas for preparing snacks/packed lunches which are economically sustainable, have inviting taste, texture, aroma and aesthetics as well as convenient in both production time and process. One cannot fail to mention the look of satistifacation on the students’ faces upon completing their patties and taking them out of the oven. Students also conducted self- and peer-to-peer evaluation of the practical session.
The positive practice taken by Siġġiewi Primary school in sustaining a school garden as well as in maintaining and promoting their Food and Nutrition Policy is to be commended and celebrated. The ongoing collaboration between the Home Economics Seminar Centre and Siġġiewi Primary school is certainly reaping fruit whilst enabling and empowering students and their families lead a healtheir and more sustainable lifestyle.
Ms. Therese Borg Mifsud
on behalf of HESE
St Ignatius College, Patri Ġużè Delia, Siġġiewi Primary 