Tenterfield High School is embracing an innovative program to boost the all-round health and wellbeing of its student population.
The four-year program, entitled "Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures", is being cosponsored by Hunter New England Health (HNEH) following its success at high schools around the Cessnock area several years ago. Results there saw an increase in resistance factors and a drop in cigarette and alcohol consumption.
School principal Steve Holmes said at the official launch of the program at the school's first formal assembly of the year that students were under increasing peer pressure to conform and experiment with illegal substances.
"This program is a one-off opportunity for the students of Tenterfield; an opportunity we shouldn't pass up," he said.
HNEH's Program Manager for Population Health, Caroline Slattery, said the program name was a bit misleading as the health component was not just physical health but referred to a healthy body, mind and soul and a connection with others. She counts resistance factors as self-esteem, empathy, communication, co-operation, and asking for help when it was needed.
"It also means positive relationships both in and outside of school," she said.
All school families have been notified of the program and students are being encouraged to return permission slips to allow them to participate. Tenterfield, together with Glen Innes and Emmaville High Schools, are currently in phase one of the program: data collection.
Students will complete a confidential, web-based survey to gauge the current situation and to access needs.
"For example, if the surveys reveal that there's a poor connection with the community, we can provide direction in those areas," Ms Slattery said.
Jim White, Relieving Regional Director of the NSW Department of Education and Training, toured the three schools involved to officially launch Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures.
He defined resilience as the ability to bounce back.
"It takes a village to raise a child," he told the assembly, "not just your parents."
He said the program would have a four-pronged attack, addressing physical, mental, social/emotional and spiritual health. While physical wellbeing issues were fairly obvious, he cited indications of mental wellbeing as pursuing hobbies, reading for enjoyment and spending time with people who are special in the student's life.
Social/emotional wellbeing is the ability to mix with and have good friends, Mr White said.
"And being a good friend means sometimes having to say something your friend won't like."
He said while newspaper front pages may never feature a story about four teenage lives being saved when someone took the car keys from a friend who had drunk too much, that was the sign of true friendship.
He also encouraged students to find their own personal space, and to foster their spiritual health by enjoying their own company.
Each school will have a wellbeing team, in Tenterfield headed by deputy principal Peter Willis. The program will have a dedicated coordinator across the region in Megan Prowse.
Promoting resilience: Jim White, Relieving Regional Director of the NSW Department of Education and Training, launches Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures at Tenterfield High School's first formal assembly for 2009.
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