Only seven percent of children and young people aged five to 18 across New Zealand are meeting New Zealand guidelines for physical activity. *

Good nutrition and quality physical activity experiences, however, can directly improve mental and physical health and social connectedness. 

For these reasons, a new health promotion workforce was enlisted through the New Zealand Government's Wellbeing initiative earlier this year - known as Healthy Active Learning. The Healthy Active Learning team is tasked with improving tamariki wellbeing through increased quality and quantity of health and physical education, play, physical activity and sport. 

Jason Merrett leads the Christchurch Healthy Active Learning team, based at Sport Canterbury. The team of Hannah Beatson, Brandon Manuel and Vicki Cowley support 30 Healthy Active Learning Schools across the city - even in the face of closure from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are currently making resources accessible to all primary and intermediate schools in Canterbury that will not only assist with online teaching during this period of isolation but will add value to their Health and Physical Education curriculum in the long term."

From Merrett's point of view, the team can play a valuable role in the changed environment, where teachers have a greater need than ever for compelling content on-line.

"Part of our response," Merrett adds, "is setting up a Community of Practice, for Primary and Intermediate School health and physical education teachers." The aim for this community is to provide a platform for primary and intermediate teachers to connect, collaborate, ask questions and access resources and PLD. We are also focusing on resources that assist teachers with online learning opportunities whilst tamariki are learning from home. There are 'level specific' folders and resources available. 

All Christchurch teachers are invited to join the community by contacting hannah.beatson@sportcanterbury.org.nz and joining the facebook group. Join group here.

"Our goal is to provide a source of support for teachers at an incredibly challenging time."

The Community of Practice for Primary and Intermediate Health and Physical Education teachers will include access to:

Shared Google Docs Drive - Healthy Active Learning 

Please email Hannah hannah.beatson@sportcanterbury.org.nz to gain access to this drive. We encourage you to invite all staff members at your schools (and any other schools in Canterbury) to join this shared drive.

Closed Facebook Group - Healthy Active Learning 

A Facebook group which will be used as a platform to connect and collaborate with each other, ask questions, share ideas and to post important updates and messages. 

*Figures based on at least one hour a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity solely through PE, sport, exercise and active recreation. 

Find more information - Healthy Active Learning

Follow us on facebook - Sport Canterbury