St Joseph’s is proud to be engaged in the Health Promoting School programme, an initiative that integrates health and well-being into every aspect of school life.

What is a Health Promoting School?

A Health Promoting School is one that:

• Promotes health and learning with all the resources at its disposal.
• Engages a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including health and education officials, teachers, unions, students, parents, healthcare providers, and community leaders—in efforts to create a healthy school environment.
• Strives to provide a healthy environment, comprehensive health education, and access to health services. This includes school and community projects, outreach programmes, health promotion for staff, nutrition and food safety initiatives, physical education, recreational opportunities, and programmes for counselling, social support, and mental health.
• Implements policies and practices that respect individual well-being and dignity, offer multiple opportunities for success, and recognise efforts, intentions, and achievements.
• Aims to improve the health of school staff, families, and community members, alongside the pupils. It also collaborates with community leaders to understand and enhance how the community contributes to health and education.

Focus Areas of a Health Promoting School

Health Promoting Schools focus on:

• Caring for oneself and others
• Making healthy decisions and taking control over life’s circumstances
• Creating conditions conducive to health through policies, services, and physical and social environments
• Building capacities for peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, equity, social justice, and sustainable development
• Preventing the leading causes of death, disease, and disability: sedentary lifestyle, substance abuse, violence and injuries, unhealthy nutrition
• Influencing health-related behaviours: knowledge, beliefs, skills, attitudes, and values

By participating in the Health Promoting School programme, St Joseph’s is committed to fostering a holistic environment that supports the well-being of its students, staff, and the wider community. This initiative lays the foundation for a healthier, more vibrant future for everyone involved.