HC3S currently operate 10 Cashless systems within its 33 secondary schools. With the exception of Priestlands School which operates a Biometric System all use a swipe card.

The advantages are numerous.

Parents/guardians pay in advance usually by cheque which means:

• Pupils don't have to carry money to school which can be lost
• Without cash pupils are less likely to be targets for bullying
• Parents/guardians are assured that ‘lunch money' is used to buy quality products at school and not confectionary at the local shop
• Specific items can be eliminated from a pupil's account if they have allergies
• Parents/guardians can request a print out of items purchased by their child at any time
• Free School Meal pupils are not identified in any way, they simply get the same card as all other pupils
• If a card is lost the school will issue a temporary card so no one goes hungry
• Specifically to ‘Biometrics' ...pupils don't need to remember their card ...just select their meal, go to the till, put your finger on the pad...and the maths is done. Simple.

The Food Bar system was set up to meet the varying demands of all our customers and reduce queuing time for pupils.  Feeding up to 1000 pupils in 40mins can be challenging - and our aim is always to provide a good choice and good quality food.

Each day pupils can choose from:

• Pasta and Jacket Potato Bar - with hot or cold fillings
• Deli Bar - fresh baguettes, rolls, wraps, sandwiches and salads
• Snack Bar- hot wraps, melts and pizza
• Meal Deal - a two course special at £1.90

Fresh fruit, yoghurts and drinks are also available.

From talking to students and observing their ‘eating patterns' HC3S found that a high percentage are really hungry mid morning and wanted a choice of different foods to fill them up!  With this in mind, from September 2007 all Food Bar choices were made available at Early Lunch and Late Lunch.  The only exception being the "Two Course Special " which is only available at late lunch.

We have had a lot of questions from students moving from primary to secondary school and hope to have answered them here.

How do I get lunch at Secondary School ?

Simple.

Cash paying pupils just take your money to school each day.

Cashless systems take your cheque to school and place in the post box in the dining room.

You can choose to buy breakfast, early lunch, late lunch....or all 3!  Pupils may make purchases at any break and at any Food Bar.

How much does it cost?

How hungry are you?

You can buy a  slice of pizza for 75p or a filled roll for 85p.  Drinks include fruit juice and milk and start at 45p.  Feeling really hungry?  You can buy a large baguette for £1.55 or a two course special (a main course such as roast beef with all the trimmings and a pudding) for only £1.90

What vegetarian choices are there?

Plenty!

The Pasta and Jacket Bar and the Deli Bar have a variety of vegetarian options and our cheese is also suitable.  The Two Course Special always has a vegetarian option, while the Snack Bars sell hot vegetarian options such as roasted vegetable wrap.

What if I am allergic to something?

No problems.

The Catering Manager is always available to discuss any specific diets with you and help you make the right choices.

How do I know what is available?

HC3S have a two week rolling menu with different choices each day.

The menus are displayed around school; in the dining room, in tutor group rooms, on the school web site, on the digital display screens around your school and on our own websites http://www.myschoollunch.co.uk/movingup and http://www.yougo4it.co.uk/hampshire  

What if my favourite food isn't on the menu?

HC3S attend your Student Council meetings regularly.  We take any new items with us for you to try and we listen to your requests.  We also change our menus twice a year, so talk to your Catering Manager, she'll be very happy to hear your ideas.