Latest news with #HealthySchools
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cottingham Primary School strikes gold with mental health prize
A village primary school has "set a fantastic example" by becoming the first in the area to receive a Healthy Schools gold award, a councillor Church of England Primary School, near Corby, Northamptonshire, was awarded the prize by North Northamptonshire Council on Tuesday, after receiving a silver award last Healthy Schools scheme, is a national mental health project that rates schools on how well they are promoting wellbeing, healthy eating and physical activity among pupils. Emily, a Year 6 pupil, said: "I am keeping up habits by giving, getting active and connecting with other people." "I am enjoying the gold award activities because of all the activities and mindfulness," she added. The council said the school's Year 6 pupils have focused on giving, connecting with others, being active, taking notice and learning. Pupils have also taken part in a number of activities such as choir singing to a group of senior citizens and raising funds for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Corby foodbank. The pupils also took part in a breakdancing workshop and mini-football takeover day. Ashley Scott, the school's executive head teacher, said receiving the award "does not mean our job is done". "We have already signed up for a number of events from September that will further enhance our approach to mental health and wellbeing."Carolynn Southcombe, the school's administrator and the driving force behind the project, said: "Looking after mental health and wellbeing is paramount for children for their education, wellbeing and happiness. "If a child isn't happy, they aren't going to learn."I try to work with some children about anxiety and how they can cope, and use yoga breathing and exercises to cope." Brian Benneyworth, a Reform UK councillor and the executive member for health and leisure on the authority, said: "Their dedication to health and wellbeing and raising awareness of the importance of connecting, giving and getting active is truly inspiring and sets a fantastic example for schools across the county. "It's wonderful to see young people so engaged in shaping a healthier and connected future." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Cision Canada
30-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Dr. James Mandigo appointed new President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley
CHILLIWACK, BC, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ - The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has a new president who brings a passion for changemaking to his new leadership role. Dr. James Mandigo has championed innovative initiatives such as One Health at UFV over the last six years. His leadership has encouraged UFV faculty, staff and students to make a difference in the eastern Fraser Valley of BC, across Canada, and beyond. As Mandigo takes the reins from recently retired Dr. Joanne MacLean and becomes UFV's seventh president, he brings a wealth of relevant experience gleaned from his time in administration at UFV: five years as provost and vice-president, academic, and one year as interim president. "I am leading an exceptional team of faculty and staff, and together we're going to continue building on the foundation that Joanne put in place," Mandigo said. Throughout his career, Mandigo has shown a desire to address social issues, and he's been a champion of UFV's community-focused approach since arriving as provost and vice-president, academic in 2019. "It's in the DNA of UFV to be a changemaking institution, and I'm truly struck by how well the university fosters collaborative relationships within the communities that we serve," Mandigo says. "Our students, faculty, staff, alumni and volunteers have so many gifts to share. Collectively, we have great potential to be agents of change positively impacting the socio-cultural and economic development of our communities." While Mandigo encourages changemaking across all UFV disciplines, his own work has often focused on the benefits of active living among youth. He spent nearly 20 years at Ontario's Brock University before joining UFV. During that time, he conducted vital research exploring ways to use sport and physical education to develop life skills to prevent violence amongst children and youth in El Salvador and Guatemala. His collaborative work with Universidad Pedagogica earned him formal recognition by the government of El Salvador. He's also been a visiting scholar at the University of Tsukuba's International Academy for Sports Studies in Japan and provided a leadership role with the Scotiabank Champions for Health Promoting Schools in the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent, Antigua, and British Virgin Islands. In 2015, Mandigo received Canada's Physical and Health Education's most prestigious award, the R. Tait McKenzie Award. "Sports are one way to effect meaningful change, and our students and faculty at UFV prove every day that there are many, many more ways to do so," he says. "I love the creativity that we bring to address issues like food and housing security, climate change resilience, and other pressing concerns. Part of my new role is to encourage innovation and foster an environment where our researchers are free to think outside the box and become changemakers." Mandigo has published 43 peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters, along with a full book titled Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures. His work has been funded by organizations including the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Studies Centre, and Scotiabank International. Mandigo holds a PhD from the University of Alberta in Physical Education and Recreation, a Master of Arts in Child and Development Studies from Laurentian University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. Before joining UFV in 2019, he held leadership roles at Brock University, including vice-provost, interim dean, and associate dean. He was also co-director for the Faculty of Health Sciences' Research Centre for Healthy Development through Sport and Physical Activity and held a faculty appointment in the Kinesiology department. He served as UFV's interim president for one year while MacLean was managing health issues. Over the last six years at UFV, he has played a pivotal role in the development of excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service and has been a champion of UFV's One Health initiative. Known for his warm and approachable leadership style, Mandigo looks forward to connecting with the university community in the days to come. "Our faculty, employees, and students have unlimited potential to change the world," he says. "As we pursue excellence in the coming years, I'm excited to see what we'll accomplish together. I have every confidence that we will continue to engage learners, transform lives, and build community 50 years forward." Mandigo's first day in his new role is July 1. About UFV
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cost-Saving Air Filtration for Ontario Schools: Expert Insights from Camfil Canada Air Quality Specialist Joshua Guthrie
06/20/2025, Toronto, ON // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a crucial role in creating a healthy and productive learning environment for students and staff in Ontario schools. Camfil Canada has launched a new article and accompanying video focusing on how schools in Ontario can save money on air filtration costs while improving indoor air quality. The resources are designed to help school boards and administrators tackle rising operational costs in a practical, effective way. The article, How Canadian Schools Can Save Money and Create Healthier Learning Environments, highlights the growing financial pressures faced by Canadian schools and introduces innovative ways to cut expenses related to HVAC systems and air filter maintenance. The video further supports this message by detailing real-world examples of cost-saving strategies implemented in Ontario schools, including the use of advanced air filters with high dust-holding capacities and energy-efficient designs. 'As school boards across Canada face funding pressures and seek to decrease operational costs, they could be overlooking an expense that could achieve significant savings for schools,' said Joshua Guthrie, Life Science Segment Leader and NAFA Certified Air Filtration Specialist at Camfil Canada, 'The type of air filter used could be costing Canadian schools far too much in terms of energy consumption, labour for changeouts and maintenance, and filter replacement costs.' Key topics covered include how premium filters can extend service life, reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and decrease overall HVAC system strain. Notably, Camfil Canada's team emphasizes on-site testing and Life Cycle Cost analysis (LCC) as essential tools for tailoring filtration solutions to a specific school's needs. The article also sheds light on the impressive results achieved by some Ontario school boards, where transitioning to advanced filtration systems resulted in reduced filter replacement costs and significant energy savings. One Ontario school board, for instance, saved over $500,000 in filter costs alone by adopting Camfil's air filter solutions. To learn more about how school districts can save on energy costs while improving air quality in Ontario schools, read Camfil Canada's full article and watch the accompanying video. To access these resources, see the article at Camfil Canada or watch the full video on YouTube here. About Camfil Canada For more than 60 years, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that improve worker and equipment productivity, minimize energy use, and benefit human health and the environment. Media Contact: Phillip Ilijevski Phone: 437-929-1161 Email: [email protected]
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cottingham Primary School pupils aim for mental health gold
A primary school is aiming to be the first in the North Northamptonshire area to receive a Healthy Schools gold Primary, near Corby, is attempting to secure the top prize having gained a silver last Healthy Schools scheme is a self-assessed mental health project that schools take part in nationally, to help boost pupils' administrator Carolynn Southcombe said: "Looking after mental health and wellbeing is paramount for children for their education, wellbeing and happiness. If a child isn't happy, they aren't going to learn." The school achieved the bronze award in February 2024 before receiving the silver award later in the hopes to reach gold level standard by the Falconer's Hill Academy was the first school in the county to be presented with the top award. Cottingham would become the first in the North Northamptonshire Council area to receive it. Year Six pupils have been focusing on 'giving', 'connecting', 'being active', 'taking notice' and 'learning', as part of their work towards the have donated to a food bank in Corby, held a family afternoon and taken part in yoga sessions run by Mrs Southcombe."I try to work with some children about anxiety and how they can cope, and use yoga breathing and exercises to cope," she said. Year Six pupil Reuben has been working on his own fundraising mission to contribute towards the award."For 'giving', we've been doing quite a lot of fundraisers. We did a little raffle and raised £300 for Cransley Hospice," he said working on the project made them feel "more kind", "happier" and "confident". Ashley Scott, executive head teacher, said: "As a school we have to adapt and manage children's needs, whether they're four years old with anxieties, or a Year Six child that has worries about social media."BBC Radio Northampton is supporting Headfest - an annual festival focused on mental health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on schools this year.
