With around 100 students from diverse backgrounds, Holy Family Catholic Primary School Doveton prioritises student wellbeing and community connections. Their journey with our Health Promotion team began at our 2023 Principals’ Health and Wellbeing Breakfast, which their principal described as “opening doors” to local partnerships.
Since then, with regular support from our team, the school has:
- joined the Healthy Schools Achievement Program & Vic Kids Eat Well (completing small bites)
- partnered with Woolworths Dandenong to supply fresh fruit for their breakfast club
- received a grant from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation to establish a kitchen garden.
These initiatives have been transformational, with students gaining confidence and life skills by building garden beds, growing vegetables, and using their produce in cooking classes, breakfast club, and family events. Families are also getting involved, sharing gardening knowledge and strengthening school-community ties.
Their dedication to health and wellbeing was recognised at the 2024 Monash Health Health Promotion Awards, where they won the Local School Award.
The principal’s reflection: “I’d like to thank Monash Health’s Health Promotion team. You have provided us with opportunities to do this work and opened doors. Our breakfast club happens through your assistance, connecting us with Woolworths and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation at the Principals’ morning you hosted. We’ve been able to walk through doors that you opened.”
Want free wellbeing support for your school?
Contact our team for free support with the Healthy Schools Achievement Program, Vic Kids Eat Well, policy support, and more.
Visit our Schools webpage for details and resources.