Term two can often be very wet and this can often be seen as a barrier to physical education. Kaikohe Christian School doesn’t let weather get in the way and is making use of the great space they have in their hall. Both children and staff value this space, especially on wet days where the children get ‘cabin fever’ indoors and need to move around.

Winter codes are a focus this term, where children are learning ball control skills with Sport Northland’s Energizer Gina Harris. The children are given the opportunity to explore and learn at their own pace – “I like to give each child a ball and give them five minutes to just play, before any instruction is given” says Gina. This gives children the opportunity to be playful, creative and have fun. Gina adds that “physical education should encompass the child’s physical and emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs.

It’s just like learning the alphabet - being allowed to make mistakes and developing at your own pace”. Middle syndicate teacher Joanna loves these sessions and now feels confident to deliver these sessions on her own.

The school is committed to the ongoing professional development of staff, to ensure children are receiving quality physical education as they have Crystal Jordan HOD PE, Sport and Health attending a Growing Student Achievement in Health and Physical Education workshop delivered by PENZ in Whangarei this week.

The school is also working on their healthy eating, to encompass a wider view of the children’s wellbeing. Kaikohe Christian School are now receiving Fruit in Schools for the first time and new entrant teacher  Zak Anderson says “the kids love the fruit, and there are no left overs”. Each class gets fruit, and the children who attend Breakfast Club are also encouraged to use the fruit to sweeten their cereal as opposed to using sugar. Fruit is important to ensure the children are getting essential vitamins and minerals and also fibre for a healthy digestive system – this is a Glow food.  The school is also reinforcing Energize messages by encouraging children to bring healthier lunches to school, Zak adds that “all children need to learn is a wholesome sandwich, this is brain food and sugar does the opposite”. They are taking baby steps to introduce change and change the mind-set of parents with the goal of seeing a change in the lunches that the children bring to school.

Building on recent media coverage around sugar in schools and the Ministry of Education encouraging water only policies in schools, Kaikohe Christian School is working hard to eliminate sugary foods from lunchboxes. They are currently sending newsletters home and communicating with parents that sugary treats are not allowed due to the effects that it has on children and their learning.  Although there has been some adverse feedback from a small number of parents, the school is sticking to their guns. They have already seen an improvement in lunchboxes and are hoping to see more of a change in the future.

Kaikohe Christian School is doing an excellent job of developing the whole child, by adopting a holistic approach to learning.