FORTY schools across WA received funding for the healthy schools program from Healthway, including Henley Brook Primary School.

Henley Brook received a $5000 grant to introduce a whole-school physical activity and literacy program to encourage active transport like walking or riding a bike to and from school, and to increase student physical activity.

Henley Brook physical education teacher Jessine Bonzas said the school would use the grant to fund additional opportunities for students to be physically active and improve their physical literacy.

“As a new school we are consciously building a culture that values the whole child and wanted to support children’s physical development,” she said.

“Through additional physical activity opportunities students and our community will develop a strong sense of connection and belonging. This is at the heart of everything we do.”

Ms Bonzas said the school hopes to improve on their before and after school activities like running club and extra-curricular sports and involve the wider school community in their physical education program.

“We think involving the wider school community is important to create a community that is connected, and we value developing positive and strong relationships with our families,” she said.

“Creating links and partnerships with the broader community enables us to offer unique initiatives that support students learning that is evidence-based and through networking opportunities with these experts we enhance our staff’s knowledge, skills and understanding of physical literacy.”

She said the program’s success was down to a number of factors, but overall, its aim remained to help kids get outside and enjoying physical activity.

“We aspire for students to fall in love with being physically active which will assist them to be active, take care of their physical health and overall wellbeing,” Ms Bonzas said.

The 40 selected schools will share in almost $170,000 in funding to deliver projects aimed at improving student health and wellbeing.

Kalamunda Senior High School and Guildford Grammar also received a $5000 grant each, to reform the canteen with healthy food options and introduce a whole-school mental health and wellbeing program, respectively.

Since the program launched in 2022, almost $700,000 has been distributed among WA schools to help make a difference to student health.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the state government was proud to be supporting WA schools in improving student health and wellbeing.

“The projects that have been funded will inspire students to eat well, move more, and develop skills to support their physical and mental wellbeing from a young age, laying the foundation for lifelong commitment to wellbeing,” she said.

“Congratulations to all schools that have received funding for their projects.