Home / Information / Cherbourg Success Stories / ‘Strong and Healthy’ Program

‘Strong and Healthy’ Program

Aim

To improve the health of children in the school by providing an on-site health service to treat wounds, boils and other skin conditions and raise children’s awareness of the importance of hygiene.

Background

In the past, health and hygiene issues were a concern to staff at Cherbourg State School. Some children were not attending school regularly, because of ill health. Others who were at school were in some cases, unwell, tired or in pain and discomfort from earache, boils and infected cuts. Read more

Why it Works

The school’s partnership with the medical centre to provide basic health care in the school setting has made a huge difference to the well being of children who attend the school. While the model of service delivery took some time to establish - mainly because of staff changes - it has developed into an extremely effective service which contributes positively to the community and its children. Read more

Keys to keeping this initiative alive

Maintaining a strong partnership between the health service, the school and the community is essential to keep this initiative alive. The capacity of the medical service to provide a health worker to the school three mornings a week is a critical element. Read more

Advice to others who might want to try this in their communities

It takes time to develop partnerships to make initiatives like this work. Many meetings between partners are necessary to discuss and plan how it might operate. Where will it happen? Who will be involved? How will it happen? This is why key decision-makers must be part of the planning group. These people have the power to make the partnership work, as they can make sure things happen.

Communication inside each agency or service involved and outside with clients, is essential in the planning and during implementation, to ensure everybody understands what’s planned. There is likely to be greater support and success if there is consultation to ensure everyone’s perspective is considered in the proposal.

Children's Comments

‘I feel better and can learn better!’
‘Be sad if they weren’t here!’
‘It’d be bad if they weren’t here ‘cause I couldn’t get fixed up’
‘I like getting fixed up!’
‘I tell new kids about it – it’s good!’
‘I can sit down better’

Print this page