Program delivers health, safety tips
Van educates students
ST THOMAS More’s Year 6 students now know there are more than 7000 chemicals in one cigarette thanks to Toowoomba’s Life Education van.
The Healthy Harold giraffe van has been educating Queensland school children about healthy behaviours and choices for the past 30 years.
Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP praised the local Life Education committee and educator Jane Jackson who reached almost 9000 students across the Darling Downs last year.
“Healthy Harold empowers children and young people with knowledge and skills to help them make safer and healthier choices,” Mr Janetzki said.
“St Thomas More’s School students have learnt about the dangers of smoking and how to deal with situations where they may be exposed to smoking through friends, siblings or parents,” he said.
Ms Jackson, a former teacher, said the program was achieving excellent results.
“It is great we can teach children at such a young age and alert them to the dangers of alcohol and drugs,” Ms Jackson said.
“For primary school-aged children, we start with learning about legal drugs such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and medicines,” she said.
“We do mention illegal drugs but that is covered in a high school program which we hope to bring to Toowoomba in future.”
Students presented Mr Janetzki with a Life Education Ambassador plaque in recognition of his support for the education program.
The program covers many different age-appropriate topics such as healthy foods, healthy relationships, cyber safety, alcohol and tobacco use, and personal safety.