At Ahutoetoe School, we promote a healthy lifestyle as part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive school environment. Educating students about nutrition and encouraging healthy active learning contributes to their personal success and wellbeing, and to a healthier community for everyone. 

A healthy food and drink environment helps support a young person's wellbeing/hauora, including their immediate physical and mental growth and development. It also helps establish positive behaviours for the future. Good nutrition can positively affect student behaviour, learning, concentration, and energy.

We follow the official SchoolDocs Food Policy that the Board of Trustees has approved. We also have guidelines that we follow within our kura.

Guidelines at Ahutoetoe School:

• we ensure that any food or drink provided by/through the school (e.g. in class or sold at school) is healthy. Whole-school events, fundraising initiatives, and community events are times when treats can be provided as an option

• we only provide water as a drink option whilst at school

• staff encourage and model healthy food and drink choices to learners

• we know the needs of our learners and, where possible, provide food that acknowledges the diversity of our community by considering those with special dietary needs (e.g. allergies and intolerances, and religious, cultural, and ethical food requirements)

• promote healthy nutrition messages when deciding on food provided by the school (e.g. class rewards and celebrations, student prizes, special events, and school camp menus)

• to support the diversity of our community, we would prefer that children do not bring in food to share or birthday party bags, etc. 

• whānau who want to celebrate birthdays with food and gifts are welcomed to do so outside of school in the local area or at their homes

• cultural celebrations involving food will be advertised by the school and can be opt-out

• At out of school sports games, the team’s whānau will agree on acceptable choices for food and rewards

• We are nut-free to ensure the safety of children with severe nut allergies. Packaged food that states "may contain traces of nuts" are permitted.

Resources

• Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Healthy Active Learning 

• Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand: Healthy Active Learning 

• Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora: Healthy Food and Drink Guidance – Schools