We build the capability of young people by challenging their values and attitudes, expanding their knowledge and developing their skills. We motivate, encourage and empower them to exercise real choice – and make informed healthy lifestyle decisions.
More specifically, our program assists children and young people to achieve the following outcomes –
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Acquire age appropriate knowledge to support informed health choices
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Develop and practice skills and strategies to act upon individual decisions
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Recognise the values and attitudes that may influence lifestyle choice and behaviour
We see young people as active agents in, rather than passive recipients of, our program. We want young people to be able to draw from their own strengths – their capability – in making reasoned, well informed decisions about themselves and their own wellbeing.
We have developed a unique and innovative program – a combination of our skilled Educator, the Mobile Learning Centre and our suite of student and teacher resources as well as the use of our mascot – Healthy Harold the Giraffe - to complement learning in the early years.
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Our sessions are designed to be age specific and sequential, delivered year on year.
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The sessions for primary school children and their teachers are delivered on the school grounds in specially equipped Mobile Learning Centres by specialist Educators. We employ 100 Educators and maintain 90 Mobile Learning Centres.
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10 age specific modules make up the primary school program, each with defined educational outcomes that align with the curriculum frameworks for each State and Territory.
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We recognise the importance of intervening early in life and promoting in children a strong and sustainable appreciation of the importance of positive health behaviours. The focus of our work in the early primary school years is on body knowledge, personal safety and healthy behaviours such as a balanced diet and regular exercise
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Our work in the middle and upper primary school years is focused on more advanced body knowledge as well as the safe use of medicines, the effects of smoking, and alcohol and related social issues.
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Our secondary school program offers alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs modules, each with defined educational outcomes that align with the curriculum frameworks for each State and Territory.
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We also recognise the importance of individual social and emotional factors and the significant influence they have on risky health behaviours. In all our work with children and young people, we focus on their social and emotional learning – developing the ability to recognise and manage emotions, promoting caring and concern for others, making responsible decisions, establishing positive relationships and handling challenging situations.
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Teachers are provided with teacher and student manuals and access to other resources to reinforce and extend sessions taught by our Educator.
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Parents and carers are also encouraged to get involved, given the critical role they play in the development of their child’s health promoting behaviours. In addition to the opportunity to visit the Mobile Learning Centre, whilst on the school grounds, to learn more about the program, they are also invited to participate in family forums that provide the opportunity to share views with other parents and children, increase knowledge and develop strategies to support the healthy development of their children.
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