Thursday, November 2020
More than one thousand primary school children across the Wide Bay district will receive important life lessons in health, wellbeing, and drug education this term, thanks to Life Education and the Gin Gin Community Bank.
The community bank enterprise, a branch of Bendigo Bank, has supported the Life Education program in the region for the past seven years – the latest grant meaning children from 14 schools can attend the program for free during term four.
Bank sponsorship spokesperson Susan Bengtson said the impact of COVID-19 meant the grant was more important than ever.
“COVID has taken a huge economic toll on the region, so we are delighted to be able to give kids the opportunity to access the program with no cost at all to parents,” Ms Bengtson said.
“The Life Education program ensures children receive important health and wellbeing messages – everything from hygiene and hand washing, to good nutrition and respectful relationships.
“The program is also invaluable in the way it supports children’s emotional resilience, and with mental health issues such a big concern right now, this is so important for kids.”
Life Education Queensland CEO Michael Fawsitt, visited the school this month to thank the Gin Gin Community Bank for their ongoing support.
“It’s all about partnership – like the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. That’s why I’m so pleased I also had the opportunity to thank Gin Gin Community Bank for their ongoing sponsorship of the Life Education program in the region,” Mr Fawsitt said.
“As the largest non-government provider of preventative health and drug education to children and young people in Queensland, we are passionate about giving every child the opportunity to access our program, especially during this challenging time.”
Gin Gin State School principal Adam Fritz says 15 years of Life Education being part of the school curriculum has given students invaluable knowledge about making healthy choices as well as strategies for managing conflict, stress, and bullying.
“Students have many misconceptions, particularly in the context of drugs and alcohol,” Mr Fritz said.
“Life education’s face-to-face program that is delivered by specially trained educators is equipping our students with knowledge and skills to empower them to make healthy choices into their future.”
The Wide Bay schools that will benefit from the Life Education program this term thanks to the Gin Gin Community Bank grant are:
Gin Gin State School; Wallaville State School; Booyal Central State School; Maroondan State School; McIlwraith State School; Bullyard State School; Mount Perry State School; Biggenden State School; Coalstoun Lakes State School; Childers State School; Cordalba State School; Dallarnil State School; Givelda State School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School – Childers.
