The preventive health education program Healthy Harold has visited more than 16 schools and early learning centres in South Eastern NSW thanks to funding from COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN.  

Featuring the beloved mascot, Healthy Harold the giraffe, the sessions engaged over 3,000 local primary students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make safer, healthier choices. 

Through the partnership with COORDINARE, Life Ed NSW has been able to expand its reach and impact, ensuring more children can access evidence-based education on critical health topics, including hygiene, nutrition, physical activity and making informed choices about vaping, alcohol, and other drugs. 

COORDINARE's CEO Prudence Buist said, "We work to improve health outcomes for all communities in the region and focus on those who face the greatest inequities. 

"We commissioned this program as we want to ensure every school and community across South Eastern NSW can access the Healthy Harold program, with its focus on the physical, safety and social-emotional wellbeing of children and young people as well as their wider community. It is important for all children and young people to be supported to thrive and to learn how to keep vulnerable community members safe." 

Ms Buist added, "The visits that we have funded have generated great feedback."  

Of the 165 visits to schools in 12 local government areas, including Unanderra Public School, 82 percent of students said that they were ‘excited’ or ‘happy’ about the session, 87 percent of students said that the Life Ed educator made the session interesting and 82 percent of students said that they learnt something new from the session. 

Jonathon Peatfield, Chief Executive Officer at Life Ed NSW, said the program’s interactive and contemporary approach ensures that students are engaged and empowered in their learning. 

“Every session places students at the centre of learning, equipping them with the skills and confidence to make informed, healthy choices,” he said. 

“Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences about the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems, and see firsthand the impact of substances like nicotine, alcohol and drugs on their bodies through augmented reality technology.” 

“By engaging students in activities that build critical knowledge and skills for health and wellbeing, we empower them to make positive choices,” he said. 

Students at Unanderra Public School meet Healthy Harold.

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