Wise Choices In The Field Of Health

[singlepic id=110 w=320 h=240 float=left]At St Benedict College SAFI Primary, the well being of each and every child is of utmost importance and is an essential aspect of effective education for all. As a school, we believe that a healthy young generation contributes to a more productive population, a better quality of life in adulthood and lower health care and social costs. To celebrate the importance of wise choices in the field of health, we embarked on a Healthy Lifestyle Day.

Our Healthy Lifestyle Day commenced with a Special Assembly during which a brief introduction to First Aid was carried out with subsequent focus on food, hygiene and exercise. As the summer season is approaching, the assembly evolved round sun safety, protective clothing, the importance of drinking plenty of water and the necessity to stay out of direct sunlight from 11.00 to 16.00. The assembly was concluded by a small talk on sea safety.

The School Assembly was followed by a talk to all parents. This information talk focused more on knowledge/choices, skills and attitudes. In practical terms, the Health and Safety teachers discussed choices of food, preparation of food and rights and duties in the area of health. The parents were also led into understanding the importance of having an altruistic spirit for the benefit of persons who are sick and elderly. Attitudes were emphasized such as the respect for life (theirs and of others), respect for health and the appreciation of the importance of a healthy life.

[singlepic id=109 w=320 h=240 float=left]A walk followed the talk…to a public (yet secluded) garden which is still in a very natural state. The garden is maintained impeccably by the Local Council who helped out by providing a guide who explained in detail about the history of ‘Alexander Ball’ (the patron of the Garden). The guide also explained about the different types of trees cultivated in the garden and even distributed ripe fruit to the pupils and teachers. The Year 1 pupils were at St Benedict College Qrendi Primary participating in the College Year 1 Sports Day.

Simultaneously, Year 4, 5 and 6 class groups were participating in a carousel activity with three ‘healthy’ stations. The first station was a First Aid Practical Activity, the second one was entitled ‘Mystery at Hogwarts: Uncovering packed lunches’ and the third station involved PE Games. The First Aid station was very interesting to the pupils and teachers respectively. The very basics of First Aid were explained and practised using first aid equipment such as pressure and triangular bandages and relevant points were stressed involving nose bleeds, staying calm and calling for help and emergency numbers.

At the Hogwarts station, the children were guided to explore the concept of a balanced diet. Particular emphasis was laid upon the importance of healthy packed lunches and physical activity. Through an interactive PowerPoint presentation, popular personalities were featured and the pupils were guided through an investigation, identifying wholesome food and beverage options. Key nutrition concepts were discussed through this station.

The third station, entitled ‘ PE Games’, the children participated in structured play practising and reinforcing such skills as throwing and catching a ball, aiming at a target and practising in simple ball games in a mixed environment. Kindergarten children participated in simple relay games adapted and adopted for them by their teachers and learning support assistants.

After a 30 minutes break, Year 1, 2 and 3 class groups had a Healthy Photo Story entitled ‘Il-Granc il-Galantom’. The pupils discussed consumer rights and responsibilities in the field of Healthy choices. The Power point led the young children to discuss in simple terms rights and responsibilities when buying products from supermarkets, making choices at restaurants and other relevant and related issues from our daily life.

The school day was concluded at two with a solemn promise that we will propagate the learner generated knowledge acquired in this special day to transform all our lives in a Healthy Lifestyle. The learning benefits will be surely long term….. through this curricular experience, our pupils will nurture respect for life and for the quality of human life, ameliorate respect for one’s health and that of others, appreciate more the importance of a healthy life whilst become more aware of the need for continuous action so that health provision in Malta would meet the highest standards.