Fairhaven School wins health award

Getting rid of the last sugary drink from the canteen, building more shade, and adopting a water and plain milk only policy have helped Fairhaven School win a health award.

The Te Puke school was awarded the Health Promoting Schools silver accreditation.

The initiative, run by Toi Te Ora Public Health Service, supported schools in the Bay to take action and improve health and wellbeing.

To get the award, Fairhaven School students removed the last sugary drink from the canteen menu and adopted a water and plain milk only policy. Water coolers were also set up around the school to encourage students and staff.

New shade sails were put up over the junior playground and pool area, funded by the Fairhaven Fundraising Committee.

Fairhaven School also worked with the Heart Foundation on a nutrition programme where Year 5 and 6 students completed classroom nutrition sessions and visited Te Puke New World gathering supplied to make a healthy lunch.

By achieving the silver accreditation the school improved the health and wellbeing of its school community.

Dr Phil Shoemack, Toi Te Ora medical health officer, said the school had really embraced the Health Promoting Schools concept.

"The whole school community is involved with creating a healthy environment for the benefit of everyone."

For more information about Health Promoting Schools visit www.ttophs.govt.nz/health_promoting_schools or www.healthpromotingschools.health.nz