Celebrating Debbie Poratt - Over a Decade of Heart, Health and Hospitality at Bialik

This week marks the end of an era at Bialik as we farewell Debbie Poratt, who has finished 17 years of dedicated service leading The Shuk, our beloved school cafeteria. Debbie’s connection to Bialik runs deep, not only has she shaped the daily food experience of our students, she also walked these halls herself as a past student, later sending her own children here. Her contribution has truly been that of a lifelong community member giving back to a place she has always called home.

When Debbie stepped into The Shuk, she didn’t just take on a canteen, she helped transform it. Early media coverage highlighted just how groundbreaking the shift was. The Shuk was described as “no ordinary school canteen”, offering meals centred on fresh salads, falafel, quinoa, and soba noodles, reflecting Debbie’s commitment to delicious, wholesome food for students.

This commitment was echoed within the community as well. A 2015 post from the Bialik College Parents’ Association praised the fresh, healthy food made “almost entirely from scratch,” crediting Debbie and her colleague Natalie Shostak for ensuring quality and nutrition were at the heart of every menu item.

Under Debbie’s leadership, The Shuk grew into a model of what a school cafeteria can be - vibrant, health‑focused, sustainable, and infused with genuine care. Generations of students have benefitted from her creativity, her warmth, and her unwavering belief that food at school should be both nourishing and joyful.

As Debbie moves on from her role, we thank her for the countless hours, the innovations, the beautiful food, and the love she poured into The Shuk and the Bialik community. Her legacy will continue in every student who grew up with the healthier, more thoughtful food culture she helped build.

Thank you, Deb, for over a decade of dedication, and for leaving The Shuk, and Bialik, better than you found it.