Mrs McMullan has teamed up with the school Hi Cafe to provide students with a wide range of healthy and nutritious eating options.
Our school is committed to promoting the health and wellbeing (hauora) of our students and their parents, staff and wider community our school is located in. We know that healthy children make better learners.
As part of our commitment, our school Health Team (membership of this which is open to staff, students and parents) will continue to share relevant health messages and information about local health-promoting events with you, in acknowledgement and support of the central role you play in your child/ren’s health and wellbeing. We know that if you take the messages on board and reinforce them with your children, then there is an even greater chance that your children will too. Better health leads to higher educational achievement.
February is Heart Health Month
The West Coast Primary Health Organisation wants our families (adults and children alike) to have healthy hearts. The month that includes Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to focus the mind on hearts! Adult family members could learn about their ‘heart numbers’ by visiting www.knowyournumbers.co.nz
Because many children don’t eat the fruits and vegetables or aren’t as physically active for good health now and in the future, there are five heart health measures parents can model and promote to their children -
It’s not about dieting or weight control. It’s about health now and in the future! People don’t need to give up all high-sugar foods or eliminate all TV. Moderation is the key.
All students and staff had the opportunity to complete a Hi Cafe survey this week. Results indicate overwhelmingly that they want two things: One, to have a menu visible in each classroom; and 2, to be able to order food ahead of time to ensure they get what they want. The health team met on Wednesday and have agreed to make these two things possible.
The first change to happen is that a daily “hot & healthy” option will be promoted in the morning notices and a menu will be put up in classrooms.
Did you know that children aged 9-18 need 1300 mg of calcium per day???
That equals 3 and a half cups of milk!
OR 4 servings of the following:
Yoghurt - plain or fruit, icecream, cheese, rhubarb, salmon, sardines, baked beans, tofu, almonds, brazil nuts, dark leafy vegetables, calcium fortified breakfast cereal, calcium fortified bread, calcium fortified soy milk, calcium fortified orange juice, fresh orange, oatmeal.
If you are finding it difficult to get your daily calcium intake consider having a healthy low-fat milkshake from the school Hi Cafe. 3 servings of milk, tasty, healthy and CHEAP at only $2.00!!!
Our school held its first Health Team meeting on Wednesday at lunchtime. Membership of this club is open to staff, students and parents at WHS. We also have Kathryn Cannon, Health Promoting Schools Coordinator, as a member.
The health team aims to raise the health status of our school. We are currently looking at ways of increasing the availability of healthy food items at the Hi Café, and encouraging staff and students to make better use of this fantastic resource.
We are still prioritising our goals, which range from increasing patronage at the Hi Café, to reducing packaging and rubbish, to composting school food wastage.
Please contact Raelene McMullan if you would like to be personally notified of the details of the next meeting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
