St Clare's Tully is a small regional Queensland school with a student population of just 166.

 

Their students are very physically active, and the school has great healthy eating practices. The tuck shop is only open once a week on Fridays and the food is prepared by students’ family members.

 

Using the AIA Healthiest Schools resources, the school put in place new initiatives in the areas of mental wellbeing and sustainability. They’ve set up a ‘calm space’ for lunch times, with beanbags, calming music, and information on yoga poses and breathing techniques to help students practice mindfulness and teach them new skills.

 

The school also created a worm farm which has helped teach students and their families about composting and biproducts, all while tackling food waste. They’re now looking to expand this with local community businesses.

Nossal High School is an academically selective, coeducational government high school with around 800 students.

 

The challenge that the school faces is looking after the health and mental wellbeing of students following lockdowns and remote learning.

 

They have a student environmental sustainability team that works on school gardening, waste management, environmental events, and energy usage.

 

Using the AIA Healthiest Schools resources, the school is looking to tackle healthy eating initiatives. They’re starting a breakfast club run by Year 12 students to assist those who come to school without breakfast, and to encourage healthy eating and socialising at the start of the day. Fresh fruit is also being provided in kitchenettes and other locations around the school as healthy snack options. Food studies students are also creating a recipe book for the canteen to explore healthier meal options.