1998 School Magazine

Ginger am mar ^1,6001 alarmbane 1998

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Health Promoting Schools

" ealth promoting schools are schools which display, in It is important to realise that the Health Promoting School everything they say and do, support for and coriumit- concept is not an in doctrination, rather students are given the opportunity to consider the options and make their own choices about their own personal well-being merit to enhancing the emotional, social, physical and moral well-being of aU members of their school community. " - World Health Organisation (WHO)

The first of Health Promoting Schools activities was Heart Week in which the prevention of heart disease was the main focus. During Heart Week there were many displays, mock heart attacks around the school, fun runs, healthy cooking demonstrations and the annual Jump Rope for Heart. Following health weeks included Drug and Alcohol Awareness week, Eating Disorders week, National Red Nose Day, and Nutrition week. another innovation of the Health Promoting Schools was the Grade Nine Parent and Student Alcohol Night. This evening involved all Grade Nine classes helping to conduct open discussions and workshops with parents on issues which surround alcohol usage. This also provided the school with an opportunity to express its Harm Reduction Policy. This night was a huge success Health Promoting Schools' main concern this year was to

The Health Promoting School concept was first introduced to the school in 1996 by the Principal, Mrs Hancock. it is based on the World Health Organisation's School Health initiative which is aimed at strengthening the school health promotion and education activities at local, national, regional, and global level. A health promoting school is one where all members of the school coriumunity work together to provide students with integrated, positive experiences and structures which promote and protect their health. The Health Promoting Schools strategy involves the whole community, including students, staff and parents, Brisbane Girls Grammar School has approached the Health Promoting Schools concept by formulating two interactive committees, the Student Representative Council and the Health

Promoting School Board. The Student Representative Coun- cil, consists of six- teen students from levels mixed year The committee meets once a week, and works towards imple- meriting the charter that states: "Brisbane Girls Grammar School aims, tlrrough all as- pects of its structures and daily operations, to assist students, staff and members of the school community to develop and mumtain physical and emo- tional well-being. " The Health Pro-

implement a charter focused on people's rights and responsi- bilities within the school community, juxtaposed with the issue of bullying. School Day was another main focus for Health Promoting Schools, as it offered a chance to promote its role within the school community Some methods used to promote Health Promoting Schools were visits from van- ous sporting role inod- els. The mocktail store, along with the Walla- bies signed jersey raf-

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(Z-R), Megadn Statord, Mrs M. Lynch, Meltss" Goutsbezo

rooting Schools Board assists the Student Representative Coun- of I by helping to enforce policies devised by the students Chaired by Assistant Principal Mrs Lynch, the Board is coin- prised of Mrs Halvey-Short, who is the Director of Health and Physical Education and Sport, Mrs Davies, the Head of Gibson House, Mrs Kimber, and two senior students, Meltssa Cowlishaw and Meghan Stafford.

fle, raised considerable funds for further promotional efforts Health Promoting Schools has had a very successful year achieving many of its goals, and setting new goals for the future MEGHAN STAFFORD & MELISSA COWLISHAW