“#HealthIsWealth” was the motto at the end of September at St. Thomas’ CofE Primary Academy, as “Health Week 2021” got underway to great excitement! The main purpose of this week was to get children and parents to consider the ways in which we can all look after our health, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. This included many different challenges and initiatives introduced for children to complete, both during school and after school in their own time at home, including the “Change4Life Family Challenge”.

Dan, from Stoke City Community Trust, kicked off the week in style, by hosting active assemblies across all phases from school, discussing the vital benefits of daily exercise and healthy diet! Even staff had a hefty workout! From there, children were encouraged to bring in healthy snacks during break times or order fresh fruit as an alternative to toast; the results were INCREDIBLE! Backed up by pupil surveys measured over a two week period, a sample from KS2 class showed that regular fruit/veggie consumption accelerated from 21 portions for a day on the week prior to a #WHOPPING 56 portions at peak consumption. #5ADAY consumption increased dramatically through #HEALTHWEEK too from 43% of children achieving this feat from the week prior to an #INCREDIBLE 74%! 

Children also received an incredible opportunity to taste a wide range of foods prepared by our wonderful chef (Mrs. Eardley). Who knew spinach was so popular?! To add this, one of our lucky children won the “Design Your Own Healthy Meal Competition”: a yummy carbonara with steam broccoli, followed by a juicy melon boat for dessert! Yummy! Well done Max!

The fun around St. Thomas’ continued with active learning, based around unique key aspects for each year group, driving learning on across school, super knowledge showcased on social media platforms at the end of the week through a video presentation. Fun activities across school demonstrated skills of “Just Dance”, competitive yet fun ‘duals’ between classes using the school’s prize asset of the “ActivAll Wall” and even Joe Wicks-style PT lessons, which the great man even retweeted himself – this video has now received over 10,000 views on his Twitter page St Thomas' C.E. Primary Academy on Twitter: ""Eyup me duck!" 🦆🦆🦆 Year 6 smashing the @thebodycoach workout 👊 #HEALTHWEEK 💗 https://t.co/60QznnCNS3" / Twitter

All in all, a fantastic week and one we all know will impact children in many years to come!