Kids go healthy

Going for it … Grade 2 student Orlando is doing his best to stay healthy. 28859 Picture: EMILY LANE

By Cimara Pearce
ALBION Primary School will work hard this year to become a Kids- ‘Go For Your Life’ accredited school.
The school became a member of the campaign last year with teachers now inspired to further encourage healthy lifestyles among its students and become fully KGFYL accredited.
The school is changing its approach to healthy living and will aim to encourage students to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and exercise by leading from example.
School physical education teacher Marita Ryan is one of the teachers who is spearheading the challenge.
Over the next 12 months the school will aim to complete six different criteria to become KGFYL accredited.
Ms Ryan said these included tapping into water every day, planting fruit and vegetables in lunchboxes, limiting sometimes food, moving, playing and going, turning off and switching to play, striding and riding and health promoting services.
“We’re not going to tell students you can’t eat this and you can’t eat that. We’re not going to be the food police and stop them from eating,” Ms Ryan said.
“We’re just going to encourage them and try to mentor and implement those practices ourselves,” Ms Ryan said.
The school will hold an official KGYFL launch this Wednesday where the KGFYL van will be at the school and students will take part in fun and healthy activities during the day.
Albion Primary School also receives government funding for prep to Grade 2 students for Free Fruit Friday every week where students receive one piece of fruit each Friday to encourage nutritious eating.
As part of its commitment to healthy lifestyles, the school puts in additional money to extend Free Fruit Friday to all students at the school.
For information on the KGFYL initiative visit www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au