Health+in+Schools

Health in Schools On Monday the 8th of December, Laurence Cocks and James Tangihaere talked to Sheryl Hanratty over Mrs Jackson's (Principal of Pukenui School) speaker phone. Sheryl works with HeHa (Healthy eating Healthy actions) and is the District cooordinator for the Waikato District Health Board. Sheryl has asked Mrs Jackson if she could profile Pukenui School on their DHB website. We asked Sheryl why she choose Pukenui School. Sheryl said because we began our HeHa projects at the beginning of the year and now we have nearly completed them all. We have done wonderful work and would be a good example for other schools to look and learn what can be done and it could get them excited and give them ideas on what they could do in their schools. She liked the way the children are involved and have a say and are making their own decisions e.g. ABCD lunchboxes. In 2008 HeHa has helped Pukenui School by providing funding so we could complete some projects: upgrade to automatic soap dispensers, automatic towel dispensers, shade cloths over the junior eating area, suitable sized tables for the Juniors to sit and eat at, and installing new drinking fountains. The new dispencers have made it more healthy for us when we wash our hands. We don't have to touch either dispencer as they work automatically when you put your hand near them. The junior shade cloths provide shade from the sun for the Room 7 students (New Entrants) as they eat their lunch and brainfood. The new water taps and new water fountains mean that you can drink fresh filtered water. You can also fill up your drink bottle with them. We have got a garden for the junior school. It has all sorts of wonderful vegetables like raddishes, corn, cabbage and strawberries. Here at Pukenui School, we are trying to get students to drink more water and eat more healthier food. That's where the water fountains and junior garden come in.

I think our school is one of the most healthest school in the King Country. In the future we are thinking of putting a bike shelter in over our bike stands so when it is raining, your bike doesn't get wet and rust;this might encourage more students to bike to school more often. Another idea we have is to use the vegetables we have in the garden and make a recipe collection for our parents and families. Another school that Sheryl has given this funding to is Hamilton East. HeHa has helped them turn a class room into a kitchen so that children can learn to cook. They are going to be on the website too.

Reported by: James Tangihaere and Laurence Cocks