Healthy Outback Kids
Healthy Kids has formed a partnership with the Outback Division of General Practitioners to assist them in the development and implementation of a program aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for children in Bourke and the surrounding district of NSW.
The program, called Healthy Outback Kids targets primary school children and aims to support and educate them about the importance of good nutrition and regular physical activity. Using the Health Promoting Schools framework, the program aims to build capacity in the whole school community to develop and sustain a healthy school environment. Initially two schools are involved; St Ignatius Primary School and Bourke Public School, and more schools will be added gradually.
School kitchen gardens will be provided to the schools, encouraging the children to learn about nutrition through growing and cooking food. Other elements of the program include membership to Healthy Kids Association, the integration of a dental program (Pita Tital) and a nutrition and physical activity program (Shake a Leg), the development of a local lunchbox resource, assistance to run healthy canteens, curriculum links to gardening activities, and support to become a certified Crunch & Sip school.
Success of the program will rely on the involvement of the principals, teachers, family and community members, Aboriginal Education Assistants, local health promotion workers.........and the children themselves.
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