Published: February 3, 2010
Wednesday, 3 February, 2010
HEALTHY START TO SCHOOL YEAR IN KENSINGTON
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike today joined dozens of Kensington Primary School students to welcome the popular ‘Go for your life’ van as it arrived at school this morning.
“It is pivotal that young Victorians learn about diet and exercise from an early age so they have the best opportunity to live healthy, active, and prosperous lives,” Ms Pike said.
“The Brumby Government knows the key to achieving this is by taking action before bad habits have the chance to settle in, which is what the ‘Go for your life’ mobile Community Education Program is all about.”
Ms Pike said the ‘Go for your life’ van travels to schools throughout Victoria for free.
“It is staffed by trained health professionals and is packed with sports equipment, giveaways, and fun and interactive activities for students to participate in throughout the day,” she said.
“The program encourages students to play outdoors and reap the health benefits from being active, which in turn also has a positive impact in the classroom with students more willing to concentrate and learn.”
Ms Pike said more than 60,000 primary and secondary students had participated in the ‘Go for your life’ program since it began in 2006.
“The van has become so popular, there is now a second on the road to cope with school demand,” she said.
“This is an indication of the great success ‘Go for your life’ has achieved in getting those important healthy living messages across in a fun and exciting way.”
Since 2004, the Victorian Government has invested over $150 million on lifestyle change programs, and increasing community awareness of these issues.
The Government committed over $132 million to expand ‘Go for your life’ in 2008.
The ‘Go for your life’ Community Education Program complements a range of Brumby Labor Government initiatives aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles among students, including:
- ‘Go for your life’ Free Fruit Friday;
- The development of the ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteen Kit;
- The removal of high-sugar content drinks from government school canteens;
- A ban on confectionery sales at Victorian government schools;
- The ‘Go for your life’ Kitchen Garden Project with Stephanie Alexander; and
- The ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Start in Schools program, with grants of up to $6000.
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