DS went on an excursion today. The permission slip tear off said "Lunch provided", and the Maths activity day at a local high school (that was the excursion) went from 9am til 3pm. Usually (every single time!) the kids have needed to bring their own food on an excursion the permission slip says "Children should bring own food in clearly marked disposable bags". It didn't say this, so I didn't send any food.

DS has come home hungry. Apparently you were meant to take your own food along. He says he told his teacher at recess time that he had no food and she told him to wait til lunch then. The assistant teacher queried his lack of food also, and advised him to grab a couple of (staff??) biscuits on the way out.

The provided lunch was a sausage in a piece of bread. They were initially told one each, so DS took one and accepted that there would be no more. Apparently they later changed the "rules" and allowed more, but DS being DS did not know, ask or look - he took his one and went away!

I'm a little ticked that he had no food with him, and was fobbed off by the teacher. I'm more ticked that he already struggles with behavioural issues, and, not suprisingly, by lunchtime he was lacking in concentration and is now upset that the (Year 7?!) maths "supervisor" snapped at him and he got into trouble.

He's had a miserable day apparently - and I suspect it's mostly linked to me not sending food with him. But this high school they attended is not far and I'd have driven some food into him if I'd been told. I'm cranky that his teacher - who knows he struggles with excursions and routine changes and has some anxiety issues, and definitely some behavioural issues - fobbed him off and didn't do anything to get him some food. I wanted to ring his teacher or write a letter explaining that in the event of DS not having his lunchbox, I'd prefer to be called and be given the chance to get something to him. Because his behaviour and anxiety respond directly to his food intake. Hungry boy = poorly behaved, anxious and angry boy.


But the other side of me says : the day is over, he got 2 biscuits and a sausage sandwich, he did not starve and such an excursion is unlikely to happen again. Get over it. What do you think? Speak up or shut up?

I would talk to the teacher about it. There should have been better communication in regard to food for the day.

Flip side is that if you know your son has issues around food/behaviour then perhaps make a point to either always give him food to take regardless or talk to the teacher the day before the event so you know what is happening. The teacher should take more care of your son with his issues but ultimately you are his best advocate and need to preempt these senarios.

OT but why does the school want the kids to take disposable lunch bags? Surely these days most schools are promoting environmentally friendly practices.

I would mention it, just to make the point that the note wasn't clear enough. I guess if the note said 'lunch provided', then that means morning tea isn't, but it's an easy mistake to make especially when it's so different to what usually happens.

One of my pet hates is notes that don't provide clear information! Our primary school is great, but the high school leaves a bit to be desired in that regard.

Curlypops, our school also asks for disposable lunch gear on excursion day - the reason is otherwise the lunchboxes and drink bottles have to be carried around all day by the kids, which is often not practical on an excursion. The bus usually drops the kids, leaves and picks them up again, so they can't take the gear back to the bus. I think it's fair enough.

I am confused, so food was provided, sausages in bread? Which is lunch.

So lunch was provided?

I would highlight to them that maybe next time they should make it clear morning tea needs to be sent.


We often get asked the same for excursions simply so the children don't have to carry lunch boxes around for the whole day. Where as when at schoool, disposable is definitely not encouraged

Ok so the disposable bag thing happens at other schools. Do they at least ask for paper bags? Our kids take their bags/lunchboxes etc.
They also all take a hat, drink bottle and jacket so need a bag anyway.

Lunch was provided, I am not sure what the problem is? Sure it wasn't very substantial but not much different to the sandwich kids would often have.

Maybe they should have been clearer about parents packing drinks and morning tea.

As it was an all day event and only lunch was provided I would have sent a snack of some sort.

And TBH I probably would have sent a 'just in case lunch' as I worry DS may not eat what they provided.

I'd let it go. Live & learn to take school notes with a grain of salt.