Case studies
In 2005, Croydon High School ran a successful program approach which was Comprehensive: supported by a strategic plan, curriculum and school policies. Decisions were based on whole school input. Regular curriculum mapping ensures health remains a school focus.
Comprehensive in content: health issues were part of a whole school approach and link health promotion activities together; a focus on personal and social wellbeing and skills for potential employment opportunities.
Based on partnerships: a range of internal partnerships with parents, students, teachers and external partnerships with universities and TAFE, community services and health workers supported the health focus.
Resourced adequately: staff had expertise in a whole school approach to health and wellbeing and were supported by the school’s strategic plan. Some staff were recruited for their specific skills. External resources supported the school’s vision.
Delivered in accordance with teaching and learning strategies: Teachers delivered content with students; support and resources were provided by health workers and other partners. All members of the school community were actively involved.
In 2005 Aberfoyle Hub School had a whole of school ‘healthy lifestyles’ focus as part of its three year strategic plan. This included external partnerships with various health workers and internal partnerships within the school to support health promotion in the curriculum and school environment.
Educators explored healthy lifestyles across the curriculum in every classroom, providing many opportunities for linking with health workers. With a focus on nutrition, the school contacted the local community health service to work in partnership on a session for parents and caregivers on healthy lunch boxes. This built on some prior activity of staff and students.
The Aberfoyle Hub School attributed the success of this joint health promotion work to:
- strong links with a whole-school focus to partnerships with health workers
- active involvement of the whole school community
- links with the strategic plan, learning targets, strategies, resources and outcomes
Previous positive experiences with staff from the South East Regional Health Service prompted a local school to plan a program looking at the health and wellbeing of educators.
This was an excellent opportunity to build the capacity of educators to influence their own health and wellbeing and increase their knowledge about health workers, building personal contacts for a later date.
Health workers put the success of this joint health promotion program down to:
- interactive programs
- a partnership approach
- a willingness to share resources and costs
- activity reflected in organisational plans and supporting resources.
Eyre Peninsula - health promotion work specific to the role of the health worker
Opportunities occur when health workers’ expertise matches the needs of the school or preschool at a specific time. Youth development officers, for example, are in a unique position to undertake health promotion work with secondary schools.
On Eyre Peninsula a youth development officer works with secondary school staff, students and community members on a health promoting schools approach to sexual health and the drug strategy.
The youth development officer attributes the success of previous joint health promotion work to:
- a history of strong partnerships between the school and the health service
- students’ and educators’ interest in health promotion
- commitment from educators
- resources invested by the health worker to build a relationship with schools and educators
- recognition of health promotion with schools as core business for the health service
Back to top
