Munchbox to celebrate B4 School Checks in Eastern Bay
Whakatāne four year old Jhzara Tai is all set for school . Recently she had her B4 School Check and was the first child in the Eastern Bay to be given a Munchbox lunch box as part of the health assessment .
Around 850 Eastern Bay children will be given a lunchbox when they have their B4 School Checks in the Eastern Bay thanks to B4 School Public Health Nurse Debbie Trenberth .
Debbie loves working with four year olds and their parents and had often wished she could give them something to take away to celebrate their readiness for school .
So she applied for Fonterra ’ s Grassroots funding – an initiative to support clever ideas , projects and the like in rural communities . Debbie was successful , her wish granted .
“ Parents tell us they enjoy the B4 School Checks , particularly having the opportunity to talk with a health professional about their pre-schoolers before they start school . It ’ s great to be able to provide them with something useful to take away .”
The lunchboxes are packed with information on hand hygiene , healthy eating , a toothbrush and paste as well as a balloon .
Working mum Dheane Allison describes the B4 school check as the perfect prep for school .
Jhzara ( pictured with Mum , Dheane ) is set for school . B4 School Check complete . Lunchbox sorted .
“ The B4 school check is as much about prepping me as it is for my daughter . The lunchbox is an awesome idea . The toothbrush is an added bonus . Jhzara is a toothbrush freak ; every time I go to the supermarket she wants a new one .”
Jhzara is due to start at Apanui School in Whakatāne next year . The B4 School Check is a free health and development check for 4-year-olds across the country . It ’ s designed to identify any health or development issues that may impact the child ’ s ability to learn before they start school . If needs be children are referred to specialist services .
Surgical prize for Tauranga medical student
By Research Assistant , Linda Pattison .
The Tauranga year 6 medical student cohort had their graduation in November - it is a proud moment for the students and their families . The graduation ceremony is an event also enjoyed by the Head of School , Professor Peter Gilling who is part of the University of Auckland faculty . The Tauranga students did well this year , a real credit to their Tauranga tutors !
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James Chancellor was one of the successful graduates , and also won a prize at graduation - the Sir Carrick Robertson Prize in Surgery . This prize is awarded to the student with the highest marks in their clinical assessment . An outstanding achievement and the Clinical School congratulates James who is returning to Tauranga Hospital for his first year as a House Officer .