Lunchtimes

Free meals can be claimed in certain circumstances, for information and application form please see the Highland Council Schools Meals Website.

Application forms are available from the school reception or you can apply online. Pupils receive credit on their account which they can use during break and lunchtime in the canteen.

The Highland Council operates a ‘Cashless catering’ system which utilises pupils’ NEC cards. For further details please see this link.

Pupils are not restricted to the school grounds during lunch times. Particularly during spells of good weather, many pupils will choose to have lunch in Mallaig village. Unless a pupil is going home for lunch, they remain subject to school discipline during the lunch hour whether in school or outwith the school. If parents would prefer that their child stays in school for the lunch hour, they should contact the Headteacher to indicate this preference.

A cafeteria arrangement provides meals each school day. The menu, which changes daily, offers a wide range of hot and cold dishes, both snacks and main courses, together with fruit and soft drinks, including milk. Healthy options are available at heavily subsidised prices and the school actively encourages pupils to choose a healthy diet, both through education and through incentives within school.

Pupils who bring packed lunch to school use the canteen at the same time as other pupils.

Pupils who are in receipt of free school meals, including pupils who stay in the Residence, can select items from the menu to a certain value. Parents who are in receipt of Income Support are entitled to free meals for their school age children and forms of application are available in confidence from the school office. It is essential that these forms are returned promptly to the Area Education Office so that there is no delay in making the free meals available.

The school canteen operates a ‘cashless’ system that involves credit being ‘loaded’ onto pupils’ Young Scot cards. Pupils will be thoroughly briefed on this system during their induction days. It may be easiest for parents to give their children money or a cheque for a week’s lunches: this can be loaded into the system so that they do not have to carry money around.