Table 6 Areas for action and examples of strategies
School physical and policy environment | Strategies |
|---|---|
Tuckshop/vendors | Enlist the help of the SA Heart and Stroke Foundation, who have developed a tuckshop intervention to assist schools in the promotion of healthier foods |
School nutrition and physical activity guidelines/policies | Develop a policy that prohibits the use of physical activity as a form of punishment |
| Â | Develop a policy that stipulates the type of food to be sold at fund-raising events |
School health committee | Form a representative health committee that helps to address issues relating to nutrition and physical activity (not just general health and safety) |
Vegetable garden, outside or in containers | Enlist the help of the SA Department of Agriculture, who have a programme to assist schools in the planting and maintenance of vegetable gardens |
Activities during break time, e.g. playground circuits | Use equipment from the physical activity resource bin provided to set up a physical activity circuit around the school grounds |
Extra mural sport | Link up with the SA Gymnastics Federation to join their community-based rope skipping programme aimed at primary school children |
Life Orientation curriculum | Â |
Design and make posters for poster event | Ask learners (Grades 4-6) to make posters that illustrate one or more of the HealthKick goals |
Lesson period for physical activity | Ensure that the time allocated to physical activity is 'ring-fenced' for this purpose by drawing on lesson plans and activity suggestions in the resource box provided |
Family and community involvement | Â |
Poster event | Arrange an event that learners' families and community members can attend to showcase the posters made in Life Orientation |
Physical activity or sporting event | Arrange a fun walk in which learners' families and community members can participate to promote the importance of physical activity for health |
Diabetes awareness | Â |
Denim for Diabetes day | Contact Diabetes SA to arrange this event where learners bring a small cash donation in order to wear denim to raise awareness about diabetes |
Activity during International Diabetes week | During International Diabetes week (annually in November) arrange a guest speaker to come and speak on the importance of healthy lifestyles |