The children and youth in our school systems need to have good health in order to make the most of their opportunities for optimal learning, growth and development.
They face many health challenges including physical inactivity, poor nutrition, poverty, injuries, substance abuse, bullying, and depression. Addressing these unhealthy behaviours early will prevent them from being carried into adulthood.
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Next to the family, the school system can greatly influence children’s decisions about healthy ways of living.
Schools offer the only formal setting for children and youth to acquire health knowledge and related skills, develop healthy attitudes and beliefs, and provide a physical and social environment that supports the health and well being of students and staff (Raphael, Anderson & McCall, 1999). |
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Schools, which provide this range of health promoting activities, are called "Healthy
Schools"
or "
Health
Promoting
Schools"
Creating a
Healthy
School
provides a supportive environment for learning and health. It involves a holistic approach in which school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community agencies work together to create an environment that will have a positive impact on health and learning.
This is achieved by using comprehensive school health approaches that recognize that:
- health and learning are linked
- health is a resource for living and learning
- the promotion of both health and learning is a core business for schools
- a healthy school enhances student achievement
To learn more about how you can supported and provided with ideas for your school to engage in or to move your school along the pathway to a healthy school, visit the menu options to the left.
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For more information about the ministry of education Healthy School Challenge click on the icon to the right: |
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