High School ‘Ramp up the Red’

UP THE REDS. Jamie Walker, Volunteer for the British Heart Foundation N.Ireland, pictured at Ballymoney High School on Friday receiving a cheque for £465.00 from pupils Laura Fall and Melissa McNeill. The money was raised at a 'Ramp Up The Reds' event and included are H.E. Teacher Elizabeth Campbell, Principal Rodney Scott and pupils, Chelsea Gordon, Rebecca Fleming, Laura McAuley and Anne Campbell.INBM11-14 025SC.

The kind hearted pupils and staff of Ballymoney High School working in conjunction with the school canteen raise funds to support the British Heart Foundation.

Each month there is a different theme followed through in the school canteen (NISCA – Northern Ireland School’s Catering Association) supported in the Home Economics classes and February links with hearts, the colour red and of course Valentine’s Day.

Mrs Helen Paul and her able team in the canteen prepared a Valentine’s Day ‘heart themed’ feast with the emphasis on healthy eating, which is reinforced in the school curriculum through subjects such as Home Economics, PE, Personal Development and Science.

February is National Heart Month in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation and the School welcomed Mr James Walker to its Junior Assembly and to the school dining room where he was on hand to give advice on heart health.

Last year Ballymoney Town had the worst record of heart disease and both school and Mr Walker feel the key to combating this disease is to start from an early age in educating our young people on heart health.

The PE department deliver the heart start programme to all year 9 pupils as well as offering a wide range of extra- curricular activities to all pupils.

The need to choose and eat healthy foods is reinforced in Home Economics classes, and choosing a healthy lifestyle is reinforced in Personal Development lessons, all with the aim of empowering our young people to make informed diet and lifestyle choices.

Pupils and staff raised the grand total of £465.00 for the British Heart Foundation by not wearing the usual uniform, but instead wearing red and donating £1.00 for this privilege.

Posters were made in the school’s ‘Club 33’ during lunchtimes and in the some Home Economics classes for display in the canteen informing all of the need to eat your 5 a day, the benefits of exercise, cutting down on fat, sugar and salt, keeping alcohol consumption and smoking in check and being a ‘savvy’ shopper.

The important message of the day was ‘Take action to protect your Heart NOW’