Senior pupils from all four Woady Yaloak cohorts have come together at the school’s Smythesdale campus to learn about health, both mental and physical.
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Woady Yaloak’s grade five and six pupils have spent this term constructing and creating projects surrounding health and well-being.
These were presented yesterday morning.
Representatives from Ballarat Community Health and Headspace led the proceedings, guiding pupils through activities and presentations healthy living habits.
Pupils cycled through three activity stations throughout the afternoon.
“Getting the children working together to learn things that are crucial for their development is what today’s aim has been,” said teacher Leanne Beeson-Canty.
“They really seemed interested in looking into nutrition, and stuff like how much sugar was in soft drinks and juices.”
Ballarat Community Health’s Tameaka Lakey, who was running a social media presentation, stressed the importance of education like this.
“Talking to these children when they’re 10, 11, and 12 is so important, because it can teach them lessons before they go on to high school,” Ms Lakey said.
“Social media can be so damaging to a young person’s self esteem, it’s important to make sure they know what’s appropriate, and what isn’t when online.
“So many of the celebrities they follow and look up too present such unhealthy examples of what it is acceptable to look like.”
Ms Lakey also spoke on the importance of ensuring the pupils knew what to do if they are suffering from bullying, and other mental health issues.
These sentiments were echoed by Andy Penny from Headspace, who talked to the pupils to close out the days proceedings.
Other presentations included activities regarding bullying, specifically treating others the way you’d like to be treated, and separating healthy from unhealthy food options.
Fruit was provided throughout the day, as well as offering a healthy build-your-own wrap station at lunch time.
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