Schools provide a unique environment in which children can develop learned behaviours conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Children five to fifteen years of age spend a large proportion of their time at school which provides an opportunity for teachers and the whole school community to role model, teach and provide opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity messages.

Good for Kids supports primary schools with a wide range of FREE health promoting programs and resources, including the SWAP IT lunchbox program, the Physically Active Children in Education (PACE) program, Crunch&Sip resources, school canteen support and so much more.  

Keep up to date with health promoting events for 2025 here:

 

Each primary school nominates a key contact or "Good for Kids School Champion". This is a staff member who is committed to creating a healthier school environment. A champion who is focused on student health, wellness and physical activity.

Achievements

Locally, Good for Kids Schools has had a positive impact on reducing overweight and unhealthy weight in children by approximately 1% per year between 2007 and 2010 and reducing similar prevalence in K, 2 and 4 girls by over 25% (2007) and 18% (2010) [1].  

In NSW, GFK@S healthy eating and physical activity practices informed the Department of Health and Education Healthy Children's Initiative LiveLifeWell@School (LLW@S) program mandated for all schools across the state [2] and is acknowledged by the Department of Health as contributing to a 3% reduction in childhood obesity rates in NSW [3]. It also developed items to assess how initiative is monitored, now integrated into the Population Health Intervention Management System (PHIMS).

Internationally the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) to inform their global school-based nutrition policies and guidelines [4,5].

Awards

2024 National Health and Medical Research Council 10 of the Best Award

2022 NSW Health Keeping People Healthy Award

2022 NSW Health Research and Innovation Award

2022 Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Team Excellence Award:

2022 Hunter New England Local Health District Research and Innovation Excellence Award

2019 International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity ECEC SIG Outstanding research

2017 NSW Government Premier’s Keeping People Healthy

2017 NSW Health Excellence in Preventative Care Award

2016 World Health Organization Excellence in Obesity Prevention Community Obesity Prevention Award  

2015 Australian National Preventive Health Agency Research Translation Award

Director General's Award for Integrated Care

 

[1] Wiggers J, Wolfenden L, Campbell E, Gillham K, Bell C, Sutherland R, Hardy LL, King L, Gruiseit A, Milat AJ, Orr N. Good for Kids. Good for Life: Evaluation report 2006-2010: Evaluation Report. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health. 2013.

[2] Innes-Hughes C, Rissel C, Thomas M, Wolfenden L. 2019. Reflections on the NSW Healthy Children Initiative: a comprehensive, state-delivered childhood obesity prevention initiative. Public Health Research Practice.

[3] National Obesity Summit 2019 Presentation – The NSW experience: Premier’s priority to reduce childhood obesity. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/national-obesity-summit-presentation-dr-jo-mitchell-the-nsw-experience-the-premier-s-priority-to-reduce-childhood-obesity.pdf

[4] World Health Organization. 2020‎. Nutrition action in schools: a review of evidence related to the nutrition-friendly schools initiative.

[5] Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. 2018. Strengthening Sector Policies for Better Food Security and Nutrition Results: Public Food Procurement. Policy Guidance Note 11.