More DHB funding for local schools

Sixteen local early education centres and schools have received a financial boost to create healthier student environments.

Waikato District Health Board (DHB) granted more than $101,000 for their planned project or initiative focused on improving the nutrition of their students.

The funding has gone to a variety of projects including gardening projects, cooking and gardening workshops with parents and professional development for teaching staff.

The successful early education centres and schools are:

• Tokoroa Punanga Reo Taokotai cluster (three Punanga Reo).

• Moanataiari School, Thames.

• Te Kohanga Reo o Nga Kuaka, Hamilton.

• Takaputiraha Te Kohanga Reo, Taumarunui.

• Newcastle Kindergarten, Ngaruawahia.

• Kids to Five Jones Cres, Hamilton.

• Rototuna Early Education Centre, Hamilton.

• Meremere Primary, Meremere.

• Tarrangower Primary School, Taumarunui.

• Waikino School, Waihi.

• Hauturu School, Oparau.

• Hangatiki School, Te Kuiti.

• Waitomo Caves School, Waitomo.

• Te Aroha Playcentre, Te Aroha.

The funding comes from the fourth round of the Nutrition Fund, part of the DHB’s Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) project.

It is in addition to the $652,000 already granted in three previous rounds.

HEHA district co-ordinator Sheryl Hanratty said it was very pleasing to see a much larger number of early education centres featuring in this round of funding.

“Supporting children in developing healthy eating habits at a young age helps to ensure children are informed and able to make the right decisions about food going into adulthood,” she said.

Waikato DHB is currently seeking applications for a fifth round of funding and Miss Hanratty said they are keen to see more applications from secondary, area and intermediate schools.

For more information about the Nutrition Fund, visit: www.waikatodhb.govt.nz