St Aidan’s pupils are ‘holistically healthy’

Health and fitness were on the timetable, when pupils at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend kicked off a week of sporting activities and healthy eating ahead of the half-term break.

Children from Nursery to Year 6 took part in Health Week, which began on Monday 18 May with the school’s annual Sports Day, before continuing the theme with whole-school circuits on Tuesday, a rounders tournament on Wednesday, and a skipping competition on Thursday.

The week was then brought to a close on Friday with a series of sessions run by Wallsend Active Partnership.

“Throughout the week, we have had children riding bikes and scooters, and also participating in the Active Mile,” said PE Lead Ali Conway. “The Active Mile is a national initiative, and our children do this three or four times every week as part of their active curriculum.

“We also had a squad of 14 children from Year 3 and 4 taking part in a football festival, along with other schools in the Trust, at St Thomas More High School.”

“Health Week is a well established event, running for around ten years now,” she continued.

“It encourages the children to go outdoors, make healthy choices, enjoy exercise in a group, and learn some new forms of exercise, and hopefully encourages them to do this outside school.”

Besides physical fitness, the event focused on teaching the pupils about healthy eating, and the importance of mental health.

“During the week, the children also took the time to reflect on their own mental health, and complete the RHE Healthy Relationships aspects of the curriculum, as well as undertaking the food technology aspects of the Design and Technology curriculum, in order to consider healthy food choices,” added Headteacher Rachel Lalor.

“We aim to ensure that our children are ‘holistically healthy’ and are able to build on this firm foundation throughout their lives.”