Media release
Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Camperdown Kindergarten in southwestern Victoria has received Victorian Government recognition for its new health and wellbeing milestone as part of the Achievement Program.
The Achievement Program, supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, is a health and wellbeing framework that helps schools, early childhood services and workplaces enhance health outcomes by supporting members to meet a set of guiding benchmarks addressing different areas of health.
The Kindergarten’s mantra, ‘healthy children learn better’, inspires continued progress in the program, with its recent attainment of the Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs health area. The kindergarten’s healthy changes serve as a great example for others. This recognition joins its list of program achievements for best-practice approaches to Healthy Eating and Oral Health, Sun Protection and Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Head of the Achievement Program, Tope Adepoyibi, together with local MP Richard Riordan, will celebrate the achievement at the kindergarten on Tuesday, 22 October.
“Camperdown Kindergarten is a wonderful example of how a health area such as tobacco-free living, often with negative connotations, can be flipped to result in a positive and educational experience,” said Ms Adepoyibi.
The kindergarten’s achievement of the Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs health area saw the inception of ‘Fresh Air Day’, a fun-filled event celebrating the pleasure of breathing clean air. The day involved a smelling station, breathing mediation games and a focus on meaningful relationships. Momentum was continued with healthy reminders around the centre, a review of policies and a confidential smoking cessation support service available for staff to help access tailored care if required.
The kindergarten has been a member of the Achievement Program since 2012 and has been implementing innovative health approaches with the support of South West Healthcare Health Promotion Officer, Alexandra Bell, who says shaping positive behaviour change is a real joy of the job.
“Our role is not to judge or police behaviours of parents, staff and the wider community but to educate and encourage positive health,” said Ms Bell.
“It’s been fantastic for me as a Health Promoter to work with a setting that is incredibly motivated and passionate to develop creative ways of meeting the Achievement Program measures.”
ENDS
For the media
For more information, please contact Alexandra Wilson on 0418 530 750 or email alexandra.wilson@cancervic.org.au.