The Annual Report of the Board of Governors 2015-2016

2.3 HEALTH EDUCATION

As a Health Promoting School, we aim to provide students with information on a range of health-related issues and equip them with the knowledge, attitudes, values, skills and behaviours that will empower them to manage their personal health and well-being. Health Education within St. Mary’s ensures that students have access to information on a broad range of matters such as smoking, healthy eating, fitness, alcohol, drugs, sex, and mental health. Many subject areas contribute extensively to Health Education.

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  Self Harm and Suicide (Year 11)
  
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  Self esteem (Year 11)
  
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  Nutrition (Year 11 – 14 PE Students and Senior Team)
  
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  Anti Bullying Week - ‘Together we will make a difference – End Bullying Now’
  
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  Nutrition (Year 11-14 PE & Health & Social Care Students)
  
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  Road Traffic – Safe Driving (Year 14)
  
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  ‘Success skills’ (Year 12)
  
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  ‘Amazing Brains’ (Year 11)
  
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  ‘Amazing Brains’ Accelerate Into High Gear Learning Habits (Year 9)
  
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  CCEA, Foods Standard Agency And C2k streamed Live Video Conferences ( Year 12 Child Development & A Level Home Economics students)
  
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  Health Checks, Immunisation and Vaccination programmes (Years 8, 9, 11, 12)
  
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  Coping with Exam Pressure (Year 12)
  
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  ‘Mood Matters’ (Year 13)
  
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  Mental Health Awareness (Year 14)
  
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  ‘Resilience’ (Year 12)
  
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  Tree of Knowledge Motivational Workshop ‘Laugh in the face of Exams’ (Year 12)
  
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  ‘Alcohol Awareness’ (Year 9)
  
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  ‘Action MS’ (Year 9)
  
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  ‘Testicular Cancer Survivor, Noel McGrath (Year 9 & 10 boys)
  
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  Drugs Awareness (Year 12)
  
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  Heart Start Training (Year 10)
  
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  ‘Get Involved’ Programme (Years 8-14)
  

Presentations and workshops were delivered by individuals and organisations such as:

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  Turlough Quinn
  
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  Dairy Council of Northern Ireland
  
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  Action Mental Health
  
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  NI Stroke Association
  
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  Food Standards Agency
  
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  Dermot Kelly
  
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  Bosco McShane
  
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  Richard Moore
  
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  PSNI
  
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  Jackie Burke
  
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  Tree of Knowledge
  
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  Together for you.
  
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  Nexus.
  

HEALTHY EATING

In St. Mary’s, we aim to educate students about food nutrition and the importance of healthy eating. Within and beyond the curriculum, students have opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to make healthy food choices inside and outside the school. As a school, we believe it is important that our students understand the importance of a balanced diet and realise the impact of poor diet on health. To encourage students to make healthy food choices within school, St. Mary’s continued to operate the Healthy Eating Rewards Scheme whereby students could accumulate points for their healthy eating efforts which could then be exchanged for a £10 voucher to be used in Café Bordeaux. The Health Education Co-ordinator and members of the SNAG (School Nutrition Action Group) attended Year Group Assemblies to highlight the Importance of healthy eating and advertise healthy eating initiatives throughout the school. At various times throughout the year, more than 200 students were awarded House points in recognition of their healthy eating choices.
Within the curriculum, the study of Home Economics at Key Stage 3 and a 6 week Healthy Eating Cookery Club afforded students opportunities to explore ways to ensure a healthy diet, to develop practical skills in the safe, hygienic, healthy and creative use of foods, and to plan, prepare, cook and serve a range of meals.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

In St. Mary’s, we aim to develop students’ awareness of the importance of personal fitness and regular exercise and their understanding of the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. In 2015-16, students had the opportunity to engage in regular physical activity in school through curricular and extra-curricular opportunities such as:

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  timetabled PE lessons for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students;
  
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  Fun Sports project and ‘Couch to 3k Challenge’ for Year 8 students;
  
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  AVIVA School Mile Challenge for all students;
  
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  designated ‘Gym Periods’ for students in Key Stage 5;
  
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  Coaching Day (Hurling & Football) for KS3 boys;
  
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  MLP Cross Country Event with ASDA free fruit giveaway;
  
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  Year 9 Action MS Sponsored Walk;
  
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  Years 8 and 10 Sports Charity Event/ Zumbathon;
  
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  personal health and exercise programmes for Year 12-14;
  
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  training for school sports teams and matches e.g. football, camogie, hurling;
  
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  sponsored walk for Action MS for Year 9 students;
  
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  Sports Day;
  
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  participation in sporting competitions and events e.g. athletics, swimming galas; and
  
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  Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expeditions for Year 11 students.
  

The PE Department is central to the school’s promotion of physical fitness. Full details of the range of activities provided by the PE Department to promote physical fitness can be found in the Sports Review section of this report.

STAFF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Throughout the year, members of staff engaged in a range of health related activities such as:

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  7 week ‘Cancer Focus’ Fit for Schools Challenge which focused on exercise and healthy eating;
  
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  Presentation by Cancer Focus on healthy lifestyles and cancer awareness;
  
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  Fitness classes;
  
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  Yoga classes.
  

Staff have access to the school’s Fitness Suite and this facility was used by many members of staff. A termly Staff Newsletter and Staff Room notice board on Health & Well Being was used to inform members of staff about the various ways they can improve their personal health and well-being.

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