Meals

Dinner money is collected by class teachers on Monday morning for the week. If you are unsure of which days your child will require a cooked dinner, simply send money for the number of days and they can order them as required. This is essential for school security so that all money can be banked on Monday morning. It is preferable for parents to use the online payment system and log on details can be provided on request from the office.

It is extremely important that money is sent in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the following:

child’s name
class
which days they require a meal (if known)
£3 per day, from Monday 5th June 2023

We would strongly advise that all money is sent using our Internet Payment system (there is a link on our home page) or in the form of a cheque (made payable to either ‘Shamblehurst Primary School’ or ‘HCC’) as it is far easier to clarify any discrepancies in payments. Under no circumstances should dinner money be outstanding for longer than 24 hours and, should debts persist, we will regrettably be unable to provide further meals.

Your school lunches are provided by award-winning caterers HC3S.

At HC3S, our ethos is about tasty food to help your children flourish. And to do that it helps if they eat a healthy diet. By providing nutritious food, cooked fresh every day and which is responsibly sourced, we give your children a balanced diet with choices that aid concentration levels and give them energy to focus and to play.

But we go a step further. We also want children to understand about healthy lifestyles and take this positive message into adulthood. That’s why we’ve created a ripple (not just raspberry) with our ‘Ready Steady Cook’ sessions which are fun and engaging and why we introduced the ‘Food to Flourish Classroom’ to help teachers educate children using food in a way that cuts across the curriculum.

Where opportunity arises, we bring live cooking and workshops to the classroom and sometimes, out of the classroom, through partnerships with our suppliers and other local food organisations. We love schools to join in our celebrations for Nutrition and Hydration Week, British Food Fortnight, and National School Meals Week as key events in the food and drink calendar which are lots of fun.

Want to know more about HC3S?

Click on this web link: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/hc3s/education-catering/schools-colleges

Healthier Than You Think! Flyer
No Junk Food! Flyer

From September 2014, the national arrangements for children in KS1 (Year R to Year 2) changed so that all children in those years groups are entitled to a free hot meal each day.

However, in KS2 (Year 3 to Year 6) children are only entitled to a free school meal if they fulfil certain criteria. Please follow the link below for more details of the eligibility of children to receive free school meals. As well as the hot dinner, children are then recognised as being ‘Pupil Premium’ and the school receives additional funding to support their learning and development. More information can be found on this on the Pupil Premium page of the website under Performance.

Some parents nationally are concerned that there might be a stigma to their child for receiving free school meals. We would seek to reassure you that this is not the case and that we make sure that the children do not know the status of their dinners – they simply make their lunch choice in the mornings in the same way as every other child. We would encourage you to investigate if your child is eligible for free meals, and the Pupil Premium funding that comes with this.

To register or for more information, visit: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals/juniorsecondary

Alternatively, you are able to complete a Free School Meals application form, which can be found in the letter rack in the office reception area. Our Senior Admin Assistant will be able to check your eligibility for you.

If your child prefers to bring a packed lunch, please ensure that boxes/bags are clearly named. Remember that we are a ‘Healthy School’. Glass bottles, fizzy drinks and sweets are not allowed in school for health and safety reasons. We also are a ‘Nut Free School’.

Your child may come home with a ‘healthy food’ sticker given to them by lunchtime staff. This is to encourage the children to eat fruit or vegetables. Please support us by providing something suitable for them in their lunch box or by encouraging them to eat vegetables with hot meals.

Dinner Money

HC3S

Lunch Menu – From Monday 30th October 2023 – Thursday 28th March 2024

Free School Meals

Sandwiches