The government ban mirrors the schools’ own approach, Michael Sinclair reports
PRINCIPALS across Brimbank have welcomed plans to ban high-sugar soft drinks in primary and secondary schools and have called for a greater promotion of healthy diets for students.
The State Government has ordered the removal of high-calorie and high-sugar drinks, including Coke, Pepsi, Fanta and lemonade, from state school canteens and vending machines from the end of the year.
Low or non-sugar drinks including “diet” varieties, milk and fruit juices will remain.
Non-government schools are also expected to follow suit.
The ban comes after a state government-commissioned survey found that more than 80 per cent of Victorian teenagers drank high-sugar drinks every day.
Sunshine North Primary School principal Ken Ryan welcomed the state government announcement, but said his school has already enforced its own bans for the past 12 months.
“Our canteen hasn’t been serving those types of drinks and food for over a year now,” Mr Ryan told Star.
“All sugary soft drinks have been taken off our canteen list.
“We’ve also looked at reducing the size of our drinks and chips to the smallest size we can.
“It is well received with our parent community and they believe that it is the right way to go.
“Kids love having soft drink, but it has to be something that the school doesn’t promote,” Mr Ryan said.
Braybrook College, which has more than 900 students, has also already begun phasing in healthier eating choices, principal Des Murphy said.
The changes include the commencement of a “Healthy Eating Tuesday” and “Fat-Free Friday.”
“We’ve really tried to change our students’ perception on food choices.
“On Tuesdays our canteen serves wraps and salads and we don’t serve any fried food in the canteen on Friday,” Mr Murphy told Star.
“We were considering whether we were going to ban soft drinks anyway and have only water and diet drinks in stock.
“The school has also considered taking confectionery and chocolate off all together.”
But Mr Murphy admitted that secondary schools will find it harder to sell to students the need for healthier eating options, as some students may still bring soft drinks and high-fat foods into the school.
“We’ve had debate in the school community – whether it needs to be a prohibition approach or whether it needs to be a combination of education as well,” Mr Murphy said.
