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Fosterville Gold Mine’s general manager, Lance Faulkner, was proud to announce Raywood Primary School as the winner – and Kennington Primary School as the runner-up – of the Healthy Schools Award, when he attended the Bendigo Sports Star Awards on 25 February 2022.

Schools throughout the region were invited to nominate for the Healthy Schools Award to highlight the reasons why they should be voted the healthiest school for 2022. Judges were looking for schools that encourage students to achieve their best by being more active, eating well and by providing environments that support mental wellbeing.

“The nominations revealed a broad range of fantastic health and wellbeing initiatives being offered to students across the region, which was very heartening to see,” said Lance.

“However, Raywood Primary really stood out as a small school that is going above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of their students,” Lance explained.

Raywood Primary is located 30km north of Bendigo and currently caters to 14 students from as far afield as Neilborough and Sebastian.

Hayden Collins, the Grade 3-6 teacher at Raywood, was ecstatic with the win and couldn’t wait to share the news with his students.

“I am so proud of what my students have achieved … they are very excited and encouraged by this award because we were up against much bigger schools,” said Hayden.

The health and wellbeing programs that the Raywood students have been running include:

- Commencing at bell time the whole school takes part in a fitness session, and an observed outcome from the introduction of the sessions has been improved concentration.

- Had a focus on participation in the Campaspe Cluster Cross Country Run with more than half the students finishing in the top three in their age group. The students even gave up some of their school holidays to train!

- Engaged in the 28 by Sam Wood program during remote learning to keep the kids active.

As runner-up Kennington Primary demonstrated an impressive list of programs for their students, including:

- Running a walk to school program

- Bike riding and scooter education lessons

- In-School fitness program

- Sport morning club and Running club

- Breakfast club three mornings per week

- Classroom fruit bowls

- Environmental Centre including gardens and chickens

- Healthy minds, healthy bodies coordinator.

“At Fosterville Gold Mine we are strong believers in the importance of encouraging healthy behaviours from a young age in order to develop self-esteem, resilience and general wellbeing, which is why we have no hesitation in sponsoring this award,” Lance concluded.