Curran Public School students are benefiting from a partnership that is nurturing the health of children while expanding their young minds.

For the past year, the school, which implements the Connected Communities strategy, has been involved in the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation’s (ALNF) Breakfast Library program.

The free program supports children by supplying them with a regular, healthy breakfast to enhance health and wellbeing, while also boosting literacy development by gifting each child with a brand new and engaging book to collect each fortnight.

Before school starts, students enjoy toast, cereal, fruit, yoghurt and even pancakes, all while listening to a story being read.

“The program has been embraced by our students and our families,” Curran Public School Executive Principal Nicole Wade said.

“The students get so much out of it and we’re seeing the flow-on effects in the classroom as well. You cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride.”

The Breakfast Library at Curran Public School operates every Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 8.45am. Parents and carers and family members are encouraged to attend to eat and read with their children.

An ALNF spokesperson said the organisation worked closely with Curran Public School and other schools in the program to tailor the food and resources to meet the needs of each community.

“It's about students. It's about schools and families coming together in a really safe and supportive place,” the spokesperson said.

The program is supported by Big W and aims to give away 53,000 books to more than 2,000 students across Australia in 2023.