Healthy Active Learning

Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport New Zealand, the Ministry of Education and Te Whatu Ora (Ministry of Health) that seeks to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity.

Sport Bay of Plenty is part of the Healthy Active Learning initiative supporting primary and intermediate schools and kura to create healthy and active learning environments, and better connection to their local communities. In 2020, the first phase of the initiative was rolled out in Rotorua. Today, we work with 80+ schools and kura across the Bay of Plenty.

Sport Bay of Plenty’s Healthy Active Learning kaimahi are currently supporting Bay of Plenty schools and their communities through till June 2028 with the following outcomes:

  1. Education settings value and prioritise quality play, active recreation, sport, and health and physical education
  2. Education settings support and promote quality food and drink environments
  3. Education settings value Mātauranga Māori and promote culturally distinctive approaches to play, active recreation, sport, kai and inu, and curriculum delivery
  4. Teachers and kaiako implement active teaching and learning approaches and deliver quality health and physical education
  5. Education settings work effectively with whānau and their local community to enable inclusive and equitable access to play, active recreation, sport, and quality food and drink.

Read more about the national initiative

Why Healthy Active Learning?

The initiative is based on evidence showing children's nutrition and physical activity are linked to both academic achievement and improved physical and mental health.

Physical activity improves tamariki cognitive function, concentration, attention, and on-task behaviour. This leads to socially connected learners who are more engaged and successful in the classroom and out.

Taking a holistic approach to developing knowledge, skills and competencies is essential to tamariki wellbeing.

Stay Connected

Our Community of Practise is a group for teachers to enjoy personal development and networking opportunities. Regular communication is through a private Facebook group.

We also have a mailer for the Bay of Plenty community to keep up-to-date on all things Healthy Active Learning. Get in touch with our team if you'd like to join the distribution list.

Let's Play

As the teachers of our tamariki, you already know the importance play has in keeping our children active and building their imaginations.

We love play here at Sport Bay of Plenty. In fact, we even have a Regional Play System Lead. We’re here to increase your knowledge of play. We have resources like the Power of Play Report. A deep dive into stakeholders’ thoughts on what play looks like in the Bay and opportunities for the future. There is also the Neighbourhood Play Systems report, that looks at two local primary schools and how various urban systems can impact play.

Sport Bay of Plenty is working to grow play opportunities at a neighbourhood level. This includes supporting schools to be community play spaces and helping students to have safe and enjoyable routes to school. We also administer the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund where programmes or projects involving play for tamariki can be eligible for potential funding. Please contact our Regional Play System Lead if you would like to discuss play in your neighbourhood.

Learn more: Sport New Zealand - Play, Resources, Regional Play System Lead

Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) Training

A Physical Activity Leader (PAL) is a trained leader who may:

  • Organise and run games or activities during lunchtime
  • Be a play buddy
  • Maintain play equipment and shed
  • Support school events
  • And generally be leaders in the school.

Student’s can become a PAL over three sessions and with the use of our PALs Student Handbook.

A PALs Facilitator Handbook is also available. This allows you to run three sessions which develop leadership skills and provide the support students need to be PALs in your school.

Our Education team can support your school to use the helpful handbooks. Contact your schools Healthy Active Learning Advisor to discuss PALs.

PALS Facilitator Handbook

PALS Student Handbook

Learn more: Resources – Primary & Intermediate Schools, Education team

Contact Our Team

For questions about Healthy Active Learning or our Community of Practice, contact our Education Lead. Details for our Advisors are also available under the Education Team.

Learn more: Sport New Zealand, Ministry of Education, Te Whatu Ora, Toi Te Ora Public Health, Physical Education New Zealand

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