The Healthy Active Learning initiative has arrived in Mid Canterbury and the West Coast regions for the start of the school year in 2022.

Healthy Active Learning is a joint Physical Activity and Nutrition Programme between Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education that has been implemented across more than 300 schools and kura since 2020. 

The initiative involves Regional Sports Trusts, Regional Education Offices, and Public Health Units partnering with one another to support schools and kura to implement healthy eating and drinking, and quality Physical Activity Programmes. In addition to a Physical Activity and Health Promotion Workforce, the initiative includes curriculum resources to improve student wellbeing.

This year it will be extended to a further 500 schools and kura across the country from 2022 to 2024.

For Sport Canterbury, this will see the Healthy Active Learning initiative now delivered across Mid Canterbury and the West Coast regions and an increase in the number of schools signed up to the initiative in South Canterbury as well as bringing on an additional 30 schools in Ōtautahi.

This increases the total number of Canterbury schools involved in the Healthy Active Learning initiative to 85.

Timaru-based Healthy Active Learning Facilitator, Sam Mathewson will now deliver to 10 schools in South Canterbury, while newly appointed Ashburton local, Anna Holland will also work with 10 schools in her role as a Facilitator in Mid Canterbury. Joey Keen has come on board as the Facilitator on the West Coast and will deliver the initiative within five schools in the region.

Mid Cantebury-based Anna Holland, has been a Primary School Teacher for the past 13 years, teaching student levels from New Entrants to Year 8. Anna, herself is a role model to living a physical and well-balanced lifestyle. She is excited to be part of the Healthy Active Learning team working alongside schools and supporting staff and students to improve their wellbeing. Anna is married to Simon and a Mum to three active boys who are all passionate about the outdoors. Anna especially enjoys Team Sports, Mountain Biking and Netball. 

Joey Keen is a Buller local who has taken on this shared role with Sport Tasman, so will be supporting an additional five schools in the Buller region as well as the five on the West Coast.

In line with the implementation of Phase Two, Sport Canterbury has also welcomed a new Healthy Active Learning Regional Lead to replace Jason Merrett who has moved into a General Manager position at Sport Canterbury and two new Healthy Active Learning Facilitators based in Ōtautahi. These Facilitators will take on the new schools who have joined the initiative and replace Brandon Manuel who has moved into the Healthy Families Ōtautahi team at Sport Canterbury.

Dean Roulston has been appointed to lead the Healthy Active Learning team and has recently returned to Christchurch after living up North. Over the past 12 years, Dean has worked as a Physical Education Teacher, Sport Director and Coach in both Waitākere and Hawke’s Bay.

While Emma Peterson will fill one of Facilitator positions and has taught Outdoor Education, Health, Physical Education and Dance for the past 11 years. Jono Collins has taken on the other position, having worked in education for 20 years where he has demonstrated a passion to connect young people with Physical Activity opportunities. 

2022 is set to be another incredible year for this important initiative.

Find out more about Healthy Active Learning – Click here 

Article added: Tuesday 08 February 2022