Schools recognised for promoting health issues

Schools in Belfast that have been working to make their school a healthier place are being recognised this week as 'Health Promoting Schools'.

Teachers and pupils from 17 schools will take part in the event hosted by Belfast City Council at the City Hall, showing some of the many ways in which they have been improving the health of local children and staff.

Daphne Wilson, Health Promoting Schools Coordinator from the Belfast Education and Library Board said: "Schools are important places for both children and staff as they are a learning environment and a workplace too. Each school is different and so their health needs vary. Individual schools have been looking at their own situation to see what they can do and they are being very creative about making schools places where health and education complement each other.

"Working with outside individuals and organisations, schools got involved in varied activities such as breakfast clubs, drugs education, playground games, healthy eating, first aid training and staff health."

Their efforts are part of 'Health Promoting Schools' which is a regional initiative facilitated by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, bringing together partners from the education and health sectors.

(MB)