Local Examples

Eco-Schools Bermuda works with the Department of Health and their Healthy Schools initiative for the Health and Wellbeing theme. This is a vital programme for the future of our island’s health. A large portion of a child’s growth takes place while he or she is a student, so schools are the perfect place to teach important lessons about the relationship between academics and nutrition, health and wellness. When students are healthy, they are better able to achieve their potential. This programme follows a 1-component assessment process which enables Healthy Schools to standardize what health looks like in schools through school health policies and Bermuda laws.

The Healthy Schools Awards focuses on schools that consistently promote health to their students and staff. In 2017, 24 of 31 public and private primary, middle and senior schools submitted their Healthy Schools Component presentations or binders (photograph below). Each school received three to five GOLD STARS and has been designated as a Health Promoting School. This number rose to 26 schools in 2018.

Delivery Partners

The “Wellbeing” part of this pathway focuses on mental health and treating others nicely. A great way to learn more on this topic and share the knowledge within your school is through the SPCA Compassionate classes. Compassionate Class programme was originally created by the RSPCA. With kind permission from them, the Bermuda SPCA has redeveloped this into a six-week programme that is designed specifically for Bermuda and our unique environment and culture. During six weeks, students are explicitly taught compassion and empathy through the lens of animal welfare. Each session per week is about an hour and a half and is led by a qualified primary school teacher. At the conclusion of the six weeks, the students present a learning project, visit the SPCA and have the opportunity to participate in an educational visit to a farm.

A sunburn as a child dramatically increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer as an adult! Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s SunSmart programme is the perfect complement for schools looking to improve how they instil sun protective behaviours among staff and students. Using age-appropriate messaging, SunSmart can be presented at school assemblies or in more intimate classroom settings, showing what protective behaviours students can adopt today to protect their skin. Tailored presentations are also available for your staff which can aid schools to build effective sun protection policies that are easy to follow while preventing future skin cancers. Join the Eco-Schools Health and Wellbeing pathway this year to learn more!

Resources