PUPILS at Okehampton College swapped their exercise books for exercise kit at a special day at the college dedicated to ?Making an impact on health?.
Students learned about all aspects of their health and well-being at the impact day held at college on July 3.
The day involved Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils, with a collapsed timetable to allow the teaching of citizenship and personal, social and health education away from classroom-based lessons.
Each year had a different focus:
l Year 7 ? Alcohol awareness
l Year 8 ? Health and physical education
l Year 9 ? Drugs awareness.
Students were encouraged to wear tracksuits to promote the overall theme of health. The college canteen, led by Janet McAnelly, served healthy food to students and staff, and parents were encouraged to support the day by providing healthy packed lunch options.
Activities included a drama presentation by Exstream to highlight the dangers of alcohol, an inflatable assault course, yoga and aerobics and peer education by sixth form students about drugs.
Other parts included a sun awareness IT program designed by the University of Bath and supported by Lloyds Chemists in Okehampton, a mobile unit provided by the Wheelz Project, focussing on drugs awareness and discussions on the effects of smoking.
Staff were not forgotten either and were able to benefit from the opportunity to see a complementary therapist. Bethany Millar was offering reflexology and Indian head massage and Jenifer May offered a seated massage to ease away teacher?s tension.
Principal Chris Powell said the first impact day had been a success and he intended to hold further days next year.