Portarlington Primary is a healthy school

PORTARLINGTON Primary School has celebrated receiving a ‘Healthy School’ award.

The award recognises the school’s efforts over the past six years in achieving all eight health benchmarks of the State-wide Achievement Program, comprising healthy eating and oral health, physical activity, sun protection, safe environments, tobacco control, sexual health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs and mental health and wellbeing.

Assistant Principal Jackie Kaiser said completing the eight health benchmarks had improved the health and wellbeing of the whole school and laid a good foundation for continuing to be a proactive, healthy and happy school.

“We signed up to the Program in 2013 and since that time we have been working hard to meet all the benchmarks and it is great to be recognised as a Healthy School,” Ms Kaiser said.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator Margaret Browne said Portarlington Primary would continue to be a healthy place in the community.

“We have worked with the City of Greater Geelong and Bellarine Community Health to install bollards around our community with artwork designed by our students and this has encouraged more students to walk or ride safely to school,” she said.

“A key achievement has been our healthy breakfast club and lunch menu and the support from families has been great.

“They’re mindful of what they include in their children’s lunchboxes which includes water as the only drink at our school.”

Bellarine Community Health (BCH) has been supporting Portarlington Primary to meet all the steps of the program and continues to help other schools and early childhood services across the Bellarine to work through the program.

Portarlington Primary School celebrated their achievement last week with a big healthy breakfast and a sign now sits at the front of the school to display all of this great work.

For more information about the Achievement Program contact Healthy Communities Planner Leanne McFarlane by emailing [email protected].