Donuts and Dads Morning is Big Hit

St Saviour's innovative scheme up for award

A project aimed at encouraging more men to get involved at a local primary school has been shortlisted for a top prize.

The Parents’ Association at St. Saviour’s School in Ealing is one of 18 finalists in the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) Gold Star Rewards scheme, for their innovative “Donut Mornings” event.

Donut Mornings encourages dads, uncles, grandfathers, older brothers, family friends - in fact any male role model (and where there is no male role model mums can attend instead) to bring children to school and enjoy a morning of donuts and playtime.

The events are planned and managed by the St Saviours Friends Association, working in conjunction with the school and parent volunteers. Dads and children can come from 8am - 9am, where the school hall is set up for breakfast of croissants, juice, coffee and other breakfast treats including donuts. There are books to read, soft play zones and various activity sheets for the children and their dads to complete. The first Donut Morning was held back in November 2008 and was such a success, there are four Donut Mornings each year, two for Foundation Stage and two for Key Stage 1 pupils, with at least 100 dads attending each event.

St. Saviours Headteacher Beverley Joseph says:

“In September 2008 the school was asked by the Friends to support a new event aimed specifically at male role models. We worked through several different ideas before settling on a breakfast event. Donuts events have been popular with our families from the start and it’s tremendous to see so many men, from so many different families attend each time. The staff and I are very supportive of these events and feel they are a significant enhancement to our engagement with fathers and being a father-friendly school.”

“Donut Morning” is one of four finalists in the Achievement in Parental Involvement category. Parent, teacher and pupil representatives have been invited to attend the NCPTA Awards Presentation Ceremony, which is being held at the Churchill War Rooms in central London on 23rd June 2010, where the winners will be announced.

The winning projects will each receive a £1,000 cash reward.

May 24, 2010