How Healthy Eating Initiatives Are Transforming Oakwood Specialist College
At Oakwood Specialist College, part of the Phoenix Learning & Care Group, we are fortunate to have a dedicated and creative team that consistently brings passion into everything we do. Today, we’re excited to highlight the outstanding work of our College Catering Assistant, Roz, who has been leading our healthy eating initiatives for the past five years.
Roz is deeply committed to promoting healthy eating and its positive effects on both physical and mental well-being. This year, she has taken her knowledge beyond Oakwood, delivering two presentations on healthy eating and encouraging children to try new foods. Roz’s ideas are always brought back to the college, where our Learners benefit from her experience and enthusiasm.
These projects have not only improved Learners’ understanding of food, but they’ve also fostered better communication and confidence. Through the exploration of new foods, our Learners are discovering different cultures, expressing themselves, and engaging in creative experiences. Ellie, one of our talented teachers, has played a key role in this, bringing her artistic vision to these activities and helping elevate them to new heights.
Together, Roz and Ellie have transformed our dining room into a welcoming and purposeful space. It has become a place where relaxation and interaction flow naturally, and it’s wonderful to see how these positive surroundings are encouraging meaningful conversations and learning opportunities for both Learners and Team Members.
Next week, Roz and Ellie will be starting a new project focusing on the benefits of food and sensory plants. This exciting initiative will explore how these foods can help reduce stress and anxiety while providing important nutritional benefits. It’s a project that promises to be both educational and enriching for everyone involved.
Today, Roz led our “Five a Day Friday” activity, which generated fantastic conversations in the dining room. Learners had the chance to try dragon fruit, kiwi berries, and dried dates—beautifully prepared by Marcelle, who did a great job of removing the stones from each one! They also explored the differences in taste, texture, and colour between orange and purple sweet potatoes. It was a fun and engaging experience that the Learners thoroughly enjoyed.
We’re incredibly proud of the work Roz and Ellie are doing. At Oakwood Specialist College, our Learners achieve incredible things, supported by our caring and committed Team Members. We’re thrilled to share these positive experiences with you and look forward to what Roz and Ellie have in store next!
Joining our team means being part of a nurturing environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of our learners. If you’re passionate about supporting young people and contributing to their growth and development, we invite you to explore our job opportunities. Take a look at our current vacancies and see how you can become part of our inspiring community!