The programmes under this umbrella, described in more detail below, have been integrated into the fabric of what is "The Pt England Way" for many years.
Smoke Free Environment. Self explanatory and mandatory. The number of "smokers" continues to be a few. Their needs are catered for off site.
Sun Smart
There are 4 pillars to the Sun Smart initiative at Pt England: 1) wide brimmed sun hats as part of the Terms 1 & 4 compulsory school uniform, reinforced by the korero: Purua to potae. 2) the provision of shade sails . 3) the use of sunscreen. 4) the daily UV Index is reported on PENN (school TV channel) with timely reminders of appropriate sunny weather action and the importance of regular hydration. We have made sure that children at sports events are well protected and for long events the 6m x 3m Gazebo + 2 dome tents are used for extra sun protection.
Fruit In Schools
This hugely successful Government initiative for decile 1 schools continues to be a powerful contributor to both the students' brain food intake and their being made aware of fruit many of them don't even know existed. The daily distribution of the fruit is organised by members of the Health Team and monitors from each classroom.
Milk for Schools
This Fonterra sponsored programme for low decile schools continues. It provides free milk to every student from NE to Y8 twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and this has proved to be the most equitable distribution. The impact of the logistics of both the delivery of the milk and the collection of the used tetra pac cartons on learning time is not as dramatic as it had been.
Healthy Lunches.
The school Tuck Shop continues to provide healthy Heart Foundation √ lunch options and is ably managed by Charlotte Sorenson, assisted by members of the Health Team. The menu is visited regularly and healthy alternatives introduced to help keep students "interest" high. Sushi Wednesday is a real hit with kids and Staff alike. As part of the programme to keep student aware of what is healthy eating, Food for Learning posters serve as helpful reminders, both in the classroom and in our enrolment packs. There continues to be no pies or soft drinks available for purchase.
Cycle Track
The Bikes in Schools cycle track is a great asset and source of regular exercise for our tamariki. With over 50 bikes in assorted sizes there is equal opportunity for every one to get out and have a go at lunch times. More structured instruction on riding technique, bike skills and road safety are scheduled on an ad hoc basis at classroom teachers' discretion. The City Council have completed the walk/bike path along the Tamaki Estuary shore line. Extended group rides into the wider community environs hasn't happened yet but will in the coming summer months. We have access to the path without having to cross any roadways.
Whanau Ora
In 2019 we have continued a regular Newsletter slot to help with the promotion of 'healthy whanau' and to share important messages around health and wellbeing. These messages have also been promoted on Facebook and with the introduction of our School App. this will give an added avenue to highlight these messages. It is intended that in 2020 there will be a sharpening of this focus throughout the school and community under the umbrella of 'Healthy Kai, Healthy Weight, Healthy Activity'.
Bin It
An important integral part of a Healthy School is a clean environment. In 2018 we rolled out a revisited initiative around recycling and minimising waste ably overseen by Jackson Vogt assisted by Sharisse Scanlan and the Bincurity Team. This included the sorting of soft plastics from the other waste but unfortunately this year the collection of soft plastics has been discontinued by outside contractors. However we continue to recycle cardboard, hard plastics, paper, glass and cans in a concerted effort to minimise landfill rubbish.
Road Crossing Patrols
The abolishment of student Traffic Patrols and the establishment of Adult Wardens 2 years ago was a sensible and practical solution, made with consultation with the NZ Police, that ensures the continued road safety of the students. The installation of a raised platform crossing has greatly reduced the speed of traffic passing the school on Pt England Rd.
TravelWise
Pt England is in the unusual situation where 75%-80% of the students walk as a routine because many families have no car or the students live really close to school.As a consequence we have one of the greatest percentage of children walking to school in Auckland. Most of the students who do travel by car live out of zone. The best we can do is to encourage the parents to drop them off a block away so they get some exercise, and the traffic jam at the gate is lessened. However the parents who do drive their children to school have not necessarily responded to the many messages in the newsletters and requests for more considerate parking. Parents are communicated with on a regular basis through the newsletters and the school blog and our new digital, LED, road front sign about safety around the gate.
Wellbeing Checks/ The School Health Clinic
We are well serviced by our Team of Public Health Nurses that work in our school 3 days a week. Whilst their service had primarily focussed on doing skin and throats checks, this service now once again covers more general health needs and our current team of Health Nurses have been heavily involved with the a number of whanau often going above and beyond. This team headed by Kayla Seaton play a huge role in ensuring the well being of our tamariki. There has been a big effort to ensure that information is shared so that we can work collaboratively to achieve improved outcomes. The introduction of a
Breaking news! We have received confirmation that the collaborative project between the ADHB and the School for the construction of a Medicube : "Whare Hauora" is all go!! This means the Health Nurses will have their very own, purpose built, facility on site. Construction of the "cube" is scheduled to start immediately with the installation anticipated for early 2020. This will be a wonderful Community asset.
In conclusion
Despite the recents cuts to funding which have seen Health Promoting Schools discontinued, we continue to regard it's principle aim to 'contribute to significant improvements in student outcomes' to be an important and integral part of the Pt England Way. It is important that we continue to ensure that we have these programmes in place that tautoko our children and whanau so that they can 'Strive to Succeed'. The formation this year of a Team of student representatives from each area of the school has given more agency and involvement to the students and this will be continued in 2020.
Toni Nua and Garth Jacobsen