27 June 2025

Hanging Up the Apron: A 41-Year Journey of Service and Care

For over four decades, Jeannette Irwin has been a much-loved part of the St Joseph’s Catholic School community in Pukekohe.

Her dedication to the school and its KickStart Breakfast club was recognised with our Unsung Hero Award back in 2019, celebrating her incredible efforts to make sure every child started their day with a full tummy and a smile.

Her mantra, “Kids can’t learn without breakfast,” perfectly sums up her approach to supporting tamariki and their whānau. As Jeannette retires after 41 years of service, we’re looking back on her amazing legacy and the advice she leaves for future breakfast club volunteers.

Over the Years

Reflecting on her time at St Joseph’s, Jeannette shared some of her favourite memories from KickStart Breakfast:

  • Watching a shy child grow in confidence, learning to talk, laugh, and ask for food.
  • Seeing whole families come in for breakfast, feeling comfortable and welcome.
  • Catching up with parents who reminded her that she had taught them when they were children!
  • Hearing students tell their parents that “Mrs Irwin’s milk is better than the milk at home.”

The breakfast club at St Joseph’s Catholic School became so much more than just a place to eat. Under Jeannette’s care it has become a space for connection, learning, and kindness.

Providing tamariki a chance to meet their buddies, stay and relax after eating, and even learn to help serve others. Through these simple but meaningful activities, children learn important life skills, by giving their time to support others, embracing the spirit of service, and learning to look out for one another.

Jeannette has worked hard to create a breakfast club where children feel safe to hug, laugh, cry, and show kindness to each other, developing a culture of care they carry with them into the school day.

Advice for Future Breakfast Club Volunteers

As Jeannette retires, she shares some helpful advice for anyone looking to start or run a breakfast club:

  • Keep the kitchen warm and inviting, especially during winter.
  • Have an open door policy and visit the classrooms so children know who you are.
  • Make children feel welcome by keeping an eye out for hesitant children. Find ways to invite and encourage them to join, such as suggesting they bring a buddy.
  • Get older children involved as helpers, teaching them responsibility and the value of service.
  • Invite parents in for a chat to build connections with families.
  • Always wish children a happy day as they leave.
  • Allow children to stay after breakfast to socialise and relax.
  • Use the KickStart Breakfast aprons - they’re a fun addition that children enjoy.
  • Incorporate activities like songs and reading to make breakfast time engaging.
  • Wash tea towels daily!

Jeannette’s advice shares valuable insight into the importance of creating a space where children feel safe, valued, and cared for, to make for a thriving breakfast club.

A Lasting Impact

Jeannette’s retirement marks the end of an incredible chapter at St Joseph’s Catholic School, but her contributions have laid the foundation for a lasting culture of connection and care,

Thank you, Jeannette, for your 41 years of kindness, care, and commitment to the children and families of St Joseph’s Catholic School.