Health Promotion

To promote healthy eating habits in our school, we introduced a Health and Nutrition Policy in September 2004. This policy was formulated by the Health Promotion team along with school staff, parents and children.

Food Items not allowed in school

 

 

• One small treat is allowed on Friday only.

 

Current Practices which Promote a Healthy School

 

• Healthy Lunch Box League to encourage healthy lunches in school

 

• Active/Health Awareness Week during the month of June
• Green Schools Travel Programme (WOW) and (COW)
• Active Flag Programme which encourages physical activity
• Friendship Week to encourage mental health and wellbeing
• Active Week
• Outside experts invited to visit our school such as dental hygienist, anti-bullying and mental health speaker and community garda
• 1 K a day run
• Food Dudes programme
• One Million Steps programme (HSE programme)

 

Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative which aims to create an Irish society where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health, and where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.

 

Eating well is of huge importance to your overall health. Here at Healthy Ireland, we’ve rounded up some of the first steps you can take to make a difference.

Healthy eating for kids

We all want our kids to have the best possible start in life so getting their diet right is of huge importance. Children are better at making changes when the whole family do it together.

Knowing how much food to give your child can be difficult as it can depend on their age and activity levels. Portion size is a good place to start and is something you can introduce gradually for everyone in the family.

As a rule of thumb, a 5-year old should eat about half the amount that an adult does. Many adults eat larger portions than they need also. Try giving everyone smaller portions on their plates to start with and they can have more after if they’re still hungry. Using smaller plates, for children and adults, can help.

Go to safefood for more information on portion serving sizes.

Be Well

 

Regular physical activity is key to getting and staying healthy. These guidelines include recommendations for children and young people as well as adults, people with disabilities and older people.

• children and young people (2-18): all children and young people should be active, at a moderate to vigorous level, for at least 60 minutes every day
• adults (18-64): at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on 5 days a week or 150 minutes a week
• older people (65+): at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on 5 days a week, or 150 minutes a week. Focus on aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening and balance
• children and adults with a disability should aim to be as active as their disability allows, and aim to meet the guideline for their age group if possible

 

You can count even shorter bouts of activity towards the guidelines. These bouts should last at least 10 minutes.