Fairhaven School's ongoing commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of their community has been recognised by Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service.

The Te Puke School was awarded with the Health Promoting Schools' silver accreditation for several health focussed programmes and initiatives run at Fairhaven, like its Food for Thought nutrition programme and removing sugary drinks from their canteen menu

The HPS initiative is delivered by Toi Te Ora and aims to help support school communities in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts to take action to improve their health and wellbeing needs.

'Fairhaven School has really embraced the Health Promoting Schools concept,” says Toi Te Ora Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack.

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

Fairhaven and the Heart Foundation worked together on the Food for Thought nutrition programme which included Year 5 and 6 students completing classroom nutrition sessions, visiting Te Puke New World and making a healthy lunch to enjoy together.

The school also removed sugary drink from the canteen menu, and adopted a water and plain milk only policy which was communicated to parents. Water coolers around the school are used regularly by students and staff encourage this practice.

Increasing shaded areas was also a priority for the school, and a shade sails now cover the junior playground and pool area which was paid for by the Fairhaven Fundraising Committee.

Fairhaven also extended its Accelerated Literacy Learning initiative which provides professional development to all teachers.

The ALL challenges assumptions and increased understanding of teachers' and students' expectations in reading, and as a result, this new approach has increased the reading levels of all students involved.

'By achieving silver accreditation Fairhaven School is improving the health and wellbeing of its wider school community by creating a healthier school environment.

'Physical and social environments supportive of health are key to improving the health and wellbeing of our families and future generations.”

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