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Newborough East Primary School Receives Fitness Funding

Newborough East Primary School, with the support of Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough, has successfully secured a $145,000 grant to implement a stability, flexibility and mobility program.

By Latrobe City - 8th September 2008 - Back to News

Newborough East Primary School principal, Roger Taylor said that this was a fabulous opportunity to teach students about stability, strength and fitness. "This grant is enabling students to learn about the values of fitness, gardening and healthy cooking options. The school is thrilled to be given such an opportunity and we are looking forward to starting the program in term four, which commences in approximately three weeks," Mr Taylor said.

"Each grade will attend the leisure centre once a week for a one hour fitness session, we will also build a vegetable garden which will be specially tailored to the different age levels. Every grade will have time each week to plant and maintain the vegetable garden. The vegetables, once grown, will be used for the healthy cooking classes," Mr Taylor explained.

Newborough East Primary School teacher, Carolyne Boothman said that the leisure centre’s support has been invaluable. "Since we started working with Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough the students take their fitness much more seriously," Ms Boothman said.

"The school will be purchasing pedometers for all the grades to encourage the children to walk more and promote healthy living. The pedometers can also be used in maths classes which will create a link between fitness and maths, to further the student’s maths skills.

"Posture cushions will also be purchased for each student to be placed on their chairs. These are part of the balanced sitting program, as the posture cushion will train the stomach muscles while the children are sitting in the classroom," Ms Boothman added.

"The healthy cooking classes will teach the children that healthy food can also be yummy food which is important for the development of their bodies. A lot of children believe that tasty food is not healthy and that seasonal food, such as Christmas treats, needs to be full of fat and sugar to taste good.

Latrobe City’s fitness supervisor, Sam Fenton, said that he had been involved with ‘Go for your life’ program that was implemented in 2007 at the school.

"Every Monday morning at assembly I would do an ‘exercise of the week’ which the students would have to do in class throughout the week. With the funding that the school has received the staff at the leisure centre will be able to teach the students control, stability and strength. Most children will have the strength to play sport but do not have the control and stability over their body which is important to keep them injury free.

"Four teachers and six of the leisure centre staff will receive training in Pilates and specialised children’s fitness training. This will enable teachers to continue what we are teaching here at the leisure centre, in the class room," Mr Fenton said.

Latrobe City Councillor, Tony Zimora said that this program was an excellent example of how local councils and local education facilities can work together to promote healthy living. "This program is a benefit for the whole community as it promotes healthy living and fitness within the local community.

"The program will encourage students to change their attitude towards fitness and hopefully create a culture where younger generations are more fitness aware and understand the connection between fitness, healthy food and healthy living," Cr Zimora concluded.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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