Friday, July 2023
Bundaberg West State School students embrace Healthy Harold and the Life Ed program. Pictured from left to right: Cathryn Leahy (Zonta member); Dr Ruth Newby (Zonta member), Jenny Maier (Zonta President); seated – Rebecca Jakins (Life Ed Qld educator); school principal Kirsten Clements (far right), and students Susan Pandey, Charlii O’Keefe and Skylar Nolan.
Healthy Harold and the Life Ed program brought smiles and vital learning to students at Bundaberg West State School this month thanks to a donation from local service organisation Zonta International.
The Zonta Club of Bundaberg kindly donated $1,141 to the school to fund the cost of the Life Ed program visit in Term 3.
The donation meant 200 students across eight classes had the opportunity to attend Life Ed sessions led by experienced program educator Rebecca Jakins, gaining vital knowledge and skills around physical health, safety, and social and emotional wellbeing.
Zonta’s aim is to make a difference to the lives of women and girls around the world, and at the local level, expand opportunities through education programs and service projects.
Zonta’s causes include advocating for gender equality and ending gender-based violence.
Zonta Club of Bundaberg President Jenny Maier says the Life Ed program’s focus on social and emotional literacy impressed the organisation.
“The Zonta Club of Bundaberg sees the Life Education program as a valuable opportunity to reach out to children in their formative years and educate them in their social and emotional development – fostering a positive approach to building respectful relationships,” Ms Maier said.
“This generation are our future parents and carers, and our goal is to support them to become positive role models in their own families.”
Life Ed Queensland educator Rebecca Jakins says students were so engaged in the fun and educational modules which included Relate, Respect, Connect, bCyberwise, Growing Good Friends and Harold’s Friendship.
“As a past member of the Zonta Club of Bundaberg and passionate educator for Life Ed, I am very privileged and excited to work together with both organisations to help empower the young people in our local community to make safe and healthy choices,” Ms Jakins said.
“Early education is integral in instilling protective behaviours for healthy social and emotional development and respectful relationships, and I can see the positive impact our program has on the students and schools I work with.”
