Healthy school meals - at their fingertips!
Pupils at two Llanelli secondary schools have now got a range of healthy school meals at their fingertips.
New cashless catering systems have been installed at Bryngwyn and Ysgol y Strade school dining halls meaning pupils no longer have to use cash to buy lunch and refreshments – instead they only have to place their index finger on a scanner at the till to have their pre-paid accounts debited.
They are the first schools in Llanelli to use the system, installed by Carmarthenshire Catering Service – part of the county council - as part of an on-going commitment to improving the schools meals service.
Both schools have jointly funded the system with the council.
Key benefits of a cashless system include the removal of the ‘free school meal’ stigma, where pupils entitled to free meals have their accounts credited on a daily basis instead of receiving and using tokens or vouchers.
In turn, the system helps remove the opportunity for bullying and improves pupils’ overall welfare.
A cashless system also removes, or reduces, the need for pupils to carry cash in school.
Accounts have been set up for each pupil, and parents and pupils can pay directly in to the account.
For the catering service, it provides a fast, comprehensive management of information.
Catering Services Manager Sandra Weigel, said: “The installation of cashless systems in secondary schools forms part of an overall investment in catering services across the county.
“We have already successfully installed these systems in other schools, and we have found them to provide many benefits.
“As well as reducing the need for pupils to carry cash, the system also provides us and parents a picture of the types of foods being purchased by pupils which helps us monitor their diets and improve services where possible.
“We hope to roll the system out to other schools in the near future.”
Headteacher Paul Jones said: “The early signs are that the system is proving popular with pupils, parents and staff.
“The pupils are also benefiting in having to budget and monitor their accounts and take responsibility for their money management.”
Pictured using the new cashless catering system at Bryngwyn School, Llanelli, is cook Julia Davies, and kitchen assistant Emma Rees, with year eight pupils Zoe Bonnell, Ellie George, Alicia Phillips, Ben Havard, Tom Grennan and Tom Roberts. Pic Jeff Connell
New cashless catering systems have been installed at Bryngwyn and Ysgol y Strade school dining halls meaning pupils no longer have to use cash to buy lunch and refreshments – instead they only have to place their index finger on a scanner at the till to have their pre-paid accounts debited.
They are the first schools in Llanelli to use the system, installed by Carmarthenshire Catering Service – part of the county council - as part of an on-going commitment to improving the schools meals service.
Both schools have jointly funded the system with the council.
Key benefits of a cashless system include the removal of the ‘free school meal’ stigma, where pupils entitled to free meals have their accounts credited on a daily basis instead of receiving and using tokens or vouchers.
In turn, the system helps remove the opportunity for bullying and improves pupils’ overall welfare.
A cashless system also removes, or reduces, the need for pupils to carry cash in school.
Accounts have been set up for each pupil, and parents and pupils can pay directly in to the account.
For the catering service, it provides a fast, comprehensive management of information.
Catering Services Manager Sandra Weigel, said: “The installation of cashless systems in secondary schools forms part of an overall investment in catering services across the county.
“We have already successfully installed these systems in other schools, and we have found them to provide many benefits.
“As well as reducing the need for pupils to carry cash, the system also provides us and parents a picture of the types of foods being purchased by pupils which helps us monitor their diets and improve services where possible.
“We hope to roll the system out to other schools in the near future.”
Headteacher Paul Jones said: “The early signs are that the system is proving popular with pupils, parents and staff.
“The pupils are also benefiting in having to budget and monitor their accounts and take responsibility for their money management.”
Pictured using the new cashless catering system at Bryngwyn School, Llanelli, is cook Julia Davies, and kitchen assistant Emma Rees, with year eight pupils Zoe Bonnell, Ellie George, Alicia Phillips, Ben Havard, Tom Grennan and Tom Roberts. Pic Jeff Connell
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