GOVERNORS of New Earswick Primary School agreed to spend a day in school on a regular basis.

I opted for a day during Healthy Schools Week, just before the half-term break.

The week involved not only healthy eating but sensible exercising and explanations about the environment and the local community. I saw many forms of exercising during the visit - walking, running, dancing, tag rugby and gymnastics as well as lessons on the effects of asthma on children and adults.

A visit to the local supermarkets at Monks Cross had been arranged during the week for some classes to see first hand the variety of fruit and vegetables available and learn from the staff about the benefits of organic food and the detriment of too many fizzy drinks.

During the morning break all pupils received free fruit, the Government paying for the younger pupils and donations from the community to cover all others.

The children certainly enjoyed themselves and this proves conclusively to me that giving the option to exercise brings benefits in the classroom to concentrate on learning.

The whole week involved a lot of work in preparation and thanks go to the vast amount of people, staff, parents and children who volunteered to put the programme together and to those who took part in the activities during the week.

Well done.

G Bunce,

Governor, New Earswick Primary School,

Western Terrace,

New Earswick,

York.

Updated: 11:08 Friday, June 17, 2005