Muff pupils cook up novel idea to raise funds for school 

Children at  Scoil Naomh Bríd in Muff have produced a book of recipes donated by families of pupils to raise funds for an upgrade of the school’s playground.

The 140-page book, Family Favorites: Comfort Foods For All Occasions, is the brainchild of the school’s student council which has spent the last year working on the project.

The book is aiming to raise funds for a revamp of the school’s playground to help make playtime more active and inclusive by purchasing new equipment, as part of recommendations made by the student council.

The recipes of comfort food have come from families in the community. Each recipe is accompanied by the family’s name and an explanation of why it was chosen.

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The book contains 100 recipes of starters, soups, mains, desserts and baking and is illustrated by artwork by the children as well as photographs.

Recipes come from countries including Ukraine, the Netherlands, Tunisia, China and the UK.

Principal Teresa Ward said there has been a great buy-in from families and local businesses to what is essentially a community project that will become part of the history of the school.

“It would be a great addition to anyone’s shelf in their kitchen for recipes that people have shared and recipes that children can make,” Ms Ward said.

 “It’s about the children wanting to make the yard more interactive and for us as teachers, we are always seeking to improve the experience for the children and enhance their wellbeing.” 

The redesigned playground will include areas where children can enjoy “sensory breaks”.

The school has embraced ways of reducing its carbon footprint in recent years and has been awarded its 10th Green Schools Green Flag, this time for  Global Citizenship, Food and Biodiversity. 

The book contains 100 recipes submitted by families from the school community

Ms Ward said the book complements the values behind those initiatives.

“It is only when you get the children themselves, when you get the children’s voice, that you get something that represents what they want as well as what we think they need,” she said.

In the introduction to the book, chair of student council Amber Mae Greaney, says the book is not just a compilation of indigents and instructions but the pages tell the story of traditions and love that have been shared around family tables for years, from family celebrations and holiday feasts to simple daily dinners.   

Ms Ward paid special tribute to Anne McLaughin, the school’s special education needs teacher, who has mentored the student council through the project.

“It has been a great learning experience for them and for all the children.”

The book can be preordered at www.snbmuff.com or the school’s Facebook page.

The official launch of the book will take place at  St Mary’s Hall in Muff on Friday, May 30 from 11am to 2pm where it can be pre-ordered and where pupils will be serving samples of some of the recipes in the book.