Somersfield Academy Awarded Gold at Healthy Schools Ceremony

June 11, 2010 — Four "healthy" schools were awarded yesterday for their commitment to teaching students how to achieve a hale and hearty lifestyle.

Francis Patton Primary, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Somersfield Academy and Warwick Academy all received top honours in the Healthy Schools Awards ceremony.

According to Minister of Education El James, they achieved the gold level for excellence in eight different categories.

These included promoting a healthy school environment, involving family and community in their efforts and teaching students the value of health education.

Schools were also graded on how well they delivered physical education curriculum, nutrition services, counselling and psychological services and for creating an overall healthy school environment.

The Minister said: "These Health Promoting Schools realise that health and education are linked and consistently develop and implement innovative health related activities throughout the year, in which the students and staff readily participate."

Twenty four other schools were awarded the silver level, while five schools attained bronze level yesterday.

Almost all schools on the Island were recognised, including seven private schools, 26 government schools and one government programme.

Yesterday Saltus Grammar School was awarded for promoting a variety of sports in their P.E. curriculum.

While CedarBridge Academy was praised for giving students and staff healthy food options in their cafeteria.

But the big winner of the night was Francis Patton Primary who received two certifcates. One for delivering a strong Health Education curriculum and another for providing students with positive health role models.

The school won the Healthy Schools Award for 2010 and was credited for ensuring their beverage vending machine provided only healthy choices.

Francis Patton also won praise for monitoring school lunches through creative activities and encouraging students and staff to increase their levels of physical activity.

Six individuals were also awarded for promoting health services in their respective schools. These included: Alison Figureido, Garth Thomson, Angelique Allen, Jo-Ann Fox, Jennifer Wilson and Wendell Smith.

While two companies — Barritt's and Dunkley's — were thanked for their support of the Healthy Schools Initiative.

Originally published in The Royal Gazette