Students at Hastings Westpark Primary School are kicking goals!
And they are being recognised for making healthy eating and physical activity a top priority.
The school has been named a Kids – ‘Go for your Life’ Award School. This is a first for a school in the Hastings area, as well as a first for a school across the whole Peninsula.
Former AFL Collingwood Player, David Twomey; Federal Member for Flinders, Greg Hunt; and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor, Reade Smith, will attend an awards ceremony and sporting activities to be held at the school on 15 February.
”The students, parents and teachers at Hastings Westpark are a winning team,” Peninsula Health’s Physiotherapist & Community Health Promotion Project Worker, Annabel Cooper, said.
The school has been “completely committed” to making many changes so that healthy habits are part of every day life for children. This is the aim for all school communities taking part in the State-Government funded Kids – ‘Go for Your Life’ program, Annabel said.
“Peninsula Health has worked closely with Hastings Westpark PS to support the school to implement healthy eating and physical activity programs. This involved meeting a strict set of criteria to achieve the Award.”
As well as a junk food-free tuck shop, many healthy programs are now up and running at the school. These include:
- Encouraging children to drink water instead of cordial or soft-drinks,
- Dedicated ‘fruit and veg’ breaks on a daily basis for students,
- Access to play equipment that encourages physical activity and is available for all students during playtimes,
- Organising regular ride or walk to school days; and
- Sending out regular information to all parents about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity for their children.
“Statistics show that children are more likely to continue healthy habits into their teenage years and adulthood when they learn them at a young age, especially in the school setting,” Annabel said.
“Developing these healthy habits early helps set the foundation for the prevention of illnesses later in life, such as diabetes or other chronic health conditions,” she added.
