What's happening in schools around healthy eating habits and being active?

There are some fantastic and exciting things happening in schools to create a healthy school environment and improve the health and wellbeing of our children.

Students, parents, teachers and schools are all in important when it comes to creating a healthy school community. Here are just some of the programs and initiatives available to support healthy eating and being active in schools:

  • Eat Well Be Active Primary Schools Program involved building the capacity of schools to develop curriculum activities that supported students' understanding of healthy eating and physical activity. There are some great case studies available.
  • The Right Bite policy has assisted South Australian schools and preschools since 2008 to select food and drinks that promote healthy eating; contributing to significant long-term health and learning benefits for children.
  • Eat a Rainbow is a program that aims to increase young children’s fruit and vegetable intake. It includes a range of resources (posters, teacher’s guides, program tool kit, flash cards, games and recipes) activities and the opportunity to taste test a variety of fruit and vegetables in a fun and supportive environment. It can be used in a range of settings including playgroups, pre-school and childcare or junior primary school.
  • The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation invites all Australian students from pre-school to secondary school to get involved in growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing their own fresh, seasonal, delicious food.
  • The Botanic Gardens Kitchen Garden Initiative aims to inspire and support schools with developing edible gardens. The program offers curriculum-based programs for schools, provides professional development for teachers and links to volunteers. 
  • Kick Start For Kids is a not for profit charity which helps disadvantaged school children in South Australia, by providing breakfast and lunch programs and a mentoring program.
  • The Australian Council Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) has a range of programs and activities.
  • Nature Play SA can help you turn your dream for a natural playspace at your school into a reality. Register for one of their Natural Playspace workshops or contact Nature Play to come to your school or site to share their expertise and inspire your staff or parents to get started.
  • The Healthy Eating Curriculum Kit is a teaching and learning resource designed to promote positive attitudes towards healthy eating and fruit and vegetables among primary school children and to reinforce the healthy eating message across the curriculum.
  • The National Quality Framework applies to long day care, family day care, pre-school and outside schools hours care services. The Framework acknowledges the importance of children’s nutritional and physical health needs and ensures that learning about healthy lifestyles underpins everyday routines and experiences. Quality Area 2 – Children’s health and safety, focuses on supporting and promoting children’s health and safety while attending education and care services, in particular Standard 2.2 – Healthy eating and physical activity are embedded in the program for children.