What is Active Schools?

What is Active School?
An Active School is where the BOT, Principal, management, teachers, students, parents and families are all committed to physical education and physical activity. It is where a quality and sustainable Physical Education/physical activity programme is implemented within the school, involving the whole school community.

An Active School:
• Uses physical activity throughout the curriculum where relevant and appropriate, both cross and co curricular
• Provides physical activity opportunities and resources to students before school, during break times, lunchtimes and after school
• Creates opportunities for all children to be active, based on their needs, abilities and interests
• Provides a range of quality physical activity experiences
• Gives physical activity the priority it deserves and puts policies in place to address this
• Engages the whole community to take ownership of an active environment
• Encourages students to start being active for life
• Establishes relationships with community organisations
• Provides and encourages staff physical activity professional development
• Establishes strong links with Health providers including, Health Promoting Schools and the National Heart Foundation

How to become an Active School:
If you think that your school would like to become an Active School then contact Hollie Evans or Rocky Tahuri, they would be more than happy to arrange a time to talk to your school staff about the programme.

Benefits of being an Active School:

• Physical activity professional development opportunities for teachers
• Strong links to the PE Advisory Service
• Leads to improved health and decreased absenteeism
• A more positive school climate/culture and a more enjoyable environment for learning
• Creates stronger links between school, home and community
• Co-curricular opportunities e.g. coaching links, frequent walker
• Removing barriers to participation for students
• Providing child-centered physical activity opportunities
• Is part of and contributes to an Active community
• Two teacher participation funded days per year to use on workshops and professional development
• Support and guidance from Active Schools Facilitator (up to 2 years commitment)
• Resources

Current and Past Active Schools in Waitakere

• Arahoe Primary School
• Bruce McLaren Intermediate
• Don Buck Primary School
• Fruitvale Primary
• Glen Eden School
• Green Bay Primary
• Henderson Intermediate
• Henderson North Primary
• Henderson Primary
• Henderson South Primary
• Kelston Deaf Education Centre
• Edmonton Primary
• Kelston Primary School
• Laingholm Primary School
• Lincoln Heights School
• Massey Primary School
• Oaklynn School
• Oratia School
• Pomaria Primary
• Peninsula Primary
• Prospect School
• Rutherford School
• Sunderland School
• Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Hoani Waititi
• Tirimoana Primary School
• West Harbour School
• Western Heights School
• Whenuapai Primary School

For more information please contact Hollie Evans on hollie.evans@sportwaitakere.co.nz or Rocky Tahuri on rocky.tahuri@sportwaitakere.co.nz