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 2023 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.

When did it all begin? 

Good for Kids, Good for Life began as a demonstration project between 2006-2010. Research undertaken by the program demonstrated how to support schools to implement practices to promote better child nutrition and physical activity[1][2][3][4]. Good for Kids is now funded as part of the state-wide Healthy Children’s Initiative that was modelled on the Good for Kids demonstration project and its research findings[5][6][7][8].

[1] Wolfenden L, Nathan N, Janssen LM, Wiggers J, Reilly K, Delaney T, Williams CM, Bell C, Wyse R, Sutherland R, Campbell L, Lecathelinais C, Oldmedow C, Freund M, Yoong SL. Multi-strategic intervention to enhance implementation of healthy canteen policy: A randomised controlled trial. Implementation Science. 2017;12(1). doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0537-9

[2] Nathan N, Wolfenden L, Butler M, Bell A, Wyse R, Campbell E, Milat A, Wiggers J. Adoption of Vegetable and Fruit Breaks in Australian Primary Schools: prevalence, attitudes, barriers and implementation strategies. Health Education Research. 2011;26(4):722-31

[3] Nathan N, Wolfenden L, Bell AC, Wyse R, Morgan PJ, Butler M, Sutherland R, Milat AJ, Hector D, Wiggers J. Effectiveness of a multi-strategy intervention in increasing the implementation of vegetable and fruit breaks by Australian primary schools: a non-randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health .2012;12:651

[4] 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.

[5] Wolfenden L, Nathan N, Janssen LM, Wiggers J, Reilly K, Delaney T, Williams CM, Bell C, Wyse R, Sutherland R, Campbell L, Lecathelinais C, Oldmedow C, Freund M, Yoong SL. Multi-strategic intervention to enhance implementation of healthy canteen policy: A randomised controlled trial. Implementation Science. 2017;12(1). doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0537-9

[6] Nathan N, Wolfenden L, Butler M, Bell A, Wyse R, Campbell E, Milat A, Wiggers J. Adoption of Vegetable and Fruit Breaks in Australian Primary Schools: prevalence, attitudes, barriers and implementation strategies. Health Education Research. 2011;26(4):722-31.

[7] Nathan N, Wolfenden L, Bell AC, Wyse R, Morgan PJ, Butler M, Sutherland R, Milat AJ, Hector D, Wiggers J. Effectiveness of a multi-strategy intervention in increasing the implementation of vegetable and fruit breaks by Australian primary schools: a non-randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health .2012;12:651.

[8] 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.