This follows a break-in at Melville High School earlier this month where laptops and interactive televisions were damaged and stolen.

Kempsey South Public School alerted the community to the break-in through a statement on their Facebook page this morning.

"Unfortunately, our school has been broken into over the weekend and the canteen has been extensively damaged and stock lost," the statement read.

Principal Paul Byrne said the theft and damage is a big blow to the school community.

"The thieves only targeted the canteen, so we're lucky in that sense, but there is a lot of damage to the building and around a couple of thousand dollars worth of food has been stolen," he said.

"What they have essentially done is stolen food from kids. We don't keep any money in the canteen, so it was just senseless act.

"The South Kempsey community is really working hard at the moment and then to have something like this happen is just really tough," Paul said.

The school has recently installed a new security fence and system over the July school holidays to deter incidents like this from happening.

"It has been a deterrent for this sort of behaviour, but unfortunately this has happened.

"We installed security cameras late last year and are going through the footage to see if there's anything on it."

While the school's canteen is repaired, meals will be provided to students through the school kitchen.

"We will run the breakfast program through the kitchen as well so students won't miss out," Paul said.

Police are investigating the incident and anyone with information regarding the break-in is urged to contact Kempsey Police Station on 6561 6199.