Health Statement

At Sunnyhills School our vision encompasses the motto “Learning for Life through our Sunnyhills GEMS”.  

We are passionate about helping people discover and achieve their potential.  We recognise that people come with different values, culture, strengths and needs and as a staff, together with our community, we are committed to celebrating diversity and providing a quality education that meets the needs of all students.

We believe that all of our tamariki / children are similar to Gemstones in that they are small but precious, they are diverse and unique, and they take time within the right environment to develop, grow and reach their potential.

Our values guide everything we do and they are:

Growth: Working towards a sustainable future

Empathy: Treating each other fairly and showing kindness and respect

Mana: Celebrating our differences

Self-Belief: Challenging ourselves and inspiring others

We offer health education that gives every student opportunities to develop their critical thinking.  They also learn the knowledge and skills they need to be healthy and well and contribute to the wellbeing of others and their communities.

Health education helps students learn the values and key competencies of the New Zealand Curriculum.  We teach in a way that helps our school’s strategic focus of helping students to develop the skills needed in a modern world and become confident and socially responsible digital citizens.

At this school, health education is integrated.  Key areas of learning provide contexts for students to develop skills to become physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. We explore: hauora and wellbeing; friendships and relationships; managing change and building resilience; food for health and wellbeing; sexuality and gender; and alcohol and other drugs.  Throughout all these topics, students will develop their ability to think critically, manage themselves, participate and contribute, and relate to others - key competencies in the NZ curriculum.

Health education is provided to every student at age appropriate levels and topics.  Some may need further support, and we have a pastoral support system to monitor this.  

October 2023