About Health Promoting Schools
The HPS journey began in 1991 in New Zealand. From the outset, New Zealand HPS has been based on the health promotion principles defined in the 1986 Ottawa Charter and addresses all aspects of hauora – physical, mental and emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.
Although New Zealand has engaged in HPS practices over the past twenty years, reviews and evaluations have identified that there are some valuable HPS activities which have been constrained by a lack of infrastructure and robust evaluation practices. Research has identified that HPS in New Zealand needs long term strategic direction, evidence-based planning and delivery, evaluation and policy commitment.
In 2010 Cognition was commissioned by the Ministry of Health to develop a national strategic framework to support national consistency and evidence-based best practice and increase the effectiveness of HPS in achieving student health and educational outcomes. The HPS National Strategic Framework has been developed through a comprehensive research, advisory and consultation process based on an international literature review.
The HPS National Strategic Framework supports school communities to identify and address their prioritised health needs and take actions that utilise their strengths and build capability. The framework empowers school communities to develop solutions for their own transformation in partnership with health, education and social services. The inquiry based approach is outcomes focused and sustainable as it builds on what schools already do and integrates the actions and outcomes into schools’ planning and reporting mechanisms.
The Ministry of Health has considered the HPS National Strategic Framework documents submitted by Cognition Education, given further input and wishes to release the following as sector developed documents: