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B4 School Checks Is A Tino Whakahirahira
Media information
For immediate release
Date: 30 July 2009
B4 School Checks Is A Tino Whakahirahira
Maori Language Week has seen Waikato's Very Important Project (B4 School Checks) give one little boy a sneak preview of their special edition lunchboxes.
Just in time for Maori Language Week, B4 School project manager Emma Pullar has revealed a Te Reo version of the Very Important lunchboxes, which will be released in just three weeks' time to all children who complete their B4 School Checks.
Despite only just embarking on his Very Important Project journey, four-year-old Nikau Pritchard received one of these special edition 'incentives' yesterday, and was fascinated by its contents.
The brand on the lunchboxes is Tino Whakahirahira, which means Very Important Project in Te Reo; Waikato's very own branding for the B4 School Checks initiative.
"The lunchboxes are a great way to reward children and their families for taking up the challenge of getting our four-year-olds' health in order before starting school," said Ms Pullar.
"One of the things that have been integral to this project is its collaborative nature between local early childhood centres, primary schools, health and libraries.
"But the flipside to that is that everyone in the community has to own this - looking after our future, these young children, is everyone's responsibility.
"For every child in the Waikato that is helped to receive a full list of B4 School Checks, a lunchbox full of health promoting goodies is on offer."
The lunchboxes are available in either Te Reo or English and contain:
* tomato seeds
* a wristband
* toothbrush
and toothpaste
* colouring pencils
* a magic paint
sheet
* a bag tag
* a Mission On lunchbox
magnet
* Feeding Our Futures four minute breakfast
challenge; and
Taku keemu kaari Tino
Whakahirahira (Very Important card game)
Throughout the Waikato District Health Board region, 8000 children are assigned to a registered nurse who will coordinate their journey through the important four-year-old checks.
Thirteen hundred B4 School Checks have been completed or are underway in the Waikato with 1400 childcare centres visited, engaged and on board and 4000 vision and hearing checks completed by vision and hearing technicians.
"We are confident that our system will get as many eligible children as possible in the Waikato completely checked as per the programme," said Ms Pullar.
"And judging from little Nikau's reaction to his Tino Whakahirahira lunchbox, the prize at the end of the process will be well worth it."
For more information on Waikato's Very Important Project, visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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