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Glen Innes launch for Healthy Schools initiative
23 February 2009
Being a teenager can be challenging at the best of times: Teens can go through rapid physical and emotional changes, while simultaneously dealing with self-worth and self-esteem issues. There are also the constant influences associated with peer pressure, drugs and alcohol.
An innovative program designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Year 7 to 10 students will be officially launched at Glen Innes High School this Wednesday, 25 February.
The Healthy Schools Healthy Futures initiative – a partnership between Hunter New England Health and the NSW Department of Education – will be aimed at high school students in Glen Innes, Emmaville and Tenterfield.
The Healthy Schools Healthy Futures program focuses on enhancing student resilience through developing the personal skills of the young person, such as communication and cooperation, self-esteem, empathy, help-seeking, self-awareness.
In addition, the program focuses on enhancing student protective factors by providing them with the environment and opportunity to build connections will the school, community, family and social peers and groups.
Through enhancing student resilience and protective factors, Healthy Schools Healthy Futures aims to decrease the likelihood of engaging in risky health behaviours such as cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol.
Healthy Schools Healthy Futures Program Manager Carolyn Slattery said the program was trialed in three NSW Government high schools and the findings were encouraging.
“Results from the trial indicated a significant increase in student resilience and protective factors, and significant decreases in tobacco, alcohol and other drug use,” Ms Slattery said.
“Our overall aim is to contribute positively to the lives of young people, which will assist them to make informed life choices.”
Healthy Schools Healthy Futures will run for four years at Glen Innes, Emmaville and Tenterfield high schools, until 2012.
The program will be officially launched at Glen Innes High School on Wednesday, 25 February from 12.20pm. The launch will be held as part of a whole-of-school assembly in the gym, and will be followed by lunch for guests and staff in the Old Hall.
On Thursday, 26 February, information sessions will be held at Tenterfield High School and Emmaville Central School. The Tenterfield High School launch will begin at 10.15am and will be followed by morning tea. The Emmaville Central School launch will begin with a barbecue lunch at 1pm, followed by a whole-of-school assembly at 1.45pm.
Relieving Regional Director of the NSW Department of Education and Training, Jim White, will be present on both days at all three schools to address the audience and speak about the program. Hunter New England Health’s Service Director of Health Promotion, Karen Gillham, will also speak.
(HNE-1745)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183
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