Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and ‘super heroes’ are all part of a Belmont school’s plan to help their students be healthier.
Barwon Valley School played the music megastars over the PA during three-minute ‘dance breaks’ each Monday, teacher Sue Angelovski explained.
“We rotate the music based on student choice,” she said.
“We also have super hero days where we talk about healthy eating.”
Cancer Council this week announced Barwon Valley was the first Victorian special education school to receive recognition in five of seven areas in its Achievement Program.
The school was a “trailblazer” in healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, sun protection and safe environments, Cancer Council said.
The milestone acknowledged school activities such as mandatory exercise, walks and cooking food from its kitchen garden, Sue said.
While many of the activities had already been part of curriculum, the program had helped the school improve student health and wellbeing, she said.
“They’re having more fun and we have seen academic improvement and (longer) concentration spans.”
George Stamoudis, 15, was proud of his school’s milestone.
“I like coming to a school where teachers want us to be healthy,” he said.
“I love doing tennis because it’s a good exercise to keep you fit and healthy.”
While George was happy Shawn Mendes featured on Barwon Valley’s dance break playlist, the school had to omit his other favourite, Eminem, Sue said.
The school was also hoping to achieve recognition in two remaining categories, alcohol and drugs, and tobacco, Sue said.
Barwon Valley had “a safe, controlled environment”, meaning its existing drug education programs were more “for life beyond school”, she added.
