Students at 2 government schools in the Swan Hill area will enjoy getting active and healthy this year after receiving Brumby Labor Government grants of up to $6000 each.
The ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Start in Schools program provides schools with funding to revamp school canteens, purchase new sporting and fitness equipment and provide better areas for students to enjoy physical activity.
Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said Swan Hill Specialist School and Nyah District Primary School were among 173 Victorian government schools with primary students receiving Healthy Start grants this year.
“It is incredibly important that our local children learn the benefits of living a healthy and active life while they are still young,” Ms Broad said.
“Accessing the best health and physical activity facilities at school will certainly go a long way toward establishing good habits for the future.
“Students who are healthy, active and happy also stand to benefit the most from their time at school by being alert and ready to learn.”
Ms Broad said the grants would also encourage students’ families to develop healthy living cultures at home.
“When parents see schools creating new vegetable gardens and purchasing new sporting and fitness equipment they receive a very clear message about the importance of promoting healthy eating and physical activities to their children,” Ms Broad said.
“It is a joint responsibility for both schools and families to encourage students to embrace the healthy living messages which will put them on the path to living long and healthy lives.”
The ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Start in Schools program complements a range of Brumby Labor Government initiatives aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles among students, including:
- ‘Go for your life’ Free Fruit Friday
- The development of the ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteen Kit;
- The removal of high-sugar content drinks from government school canteens;
- A ban on confectionery sales at Victorian government schools;
- The ‘Go for your life’ Kitchen Garden Project with Stephanie Alexander.