A Persian phrase that is part of our School Logo says,
It means “A healthy body will lead to a healthy mind.”
Teaching the right principles of health and hygiene must begin at an early age. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle and a daily routine promotes healthy habits, decreases illnesses and absence from school, increases levels of energy and the desire to explore and learn in school, thereby promoting school success. Keeping a check on the areas below will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your children.
Healthy Snacks
In order to promote healthy eating, we do not have a school canteen. Snacks have to be brought from home.
Children are not allowed to bring any form of junk food for snack time such as: chips, jelly, chocolates, ready-to-eat noodles and frozen food items. However, students of the Middle and Secondary Sections are allowed to bring junk food once a week, on Fridays.
We observe Meatless Mondays & Wrapper-Free Wednesdays. So, remember to pack snack boxes accordingly.
As part of our eco-friendly initiative, in early 2025, we educated children about the connection between food choices and their environmental impact. For example, the excessive consumption of meat contributes to air pollution, while plastic-wrapped food increases plastic waste. To encourage more mindful eating habits and support the health of our planet, we introduced these new practices. Through conscious eating and informed decisions, we aim to nurture not just healthy individuals but also responsible global citizens.
Providing balanced and nutritious snacks ensures children stay energised and active throughout the day. Send healthy homemade snacks with a variety of fruits, nuts, protein and salads to keep your children fit and healthy.
Bed Time Routine
Children must get at least eight hours of sleep; tired children are unable to pay attention and concentrate and just don’t learn well. Long afternoon naps keep children up at night, so try and limit the afternoon nap. Make sure they go to bed early and wake up early. Consistency, calming activities before bed and encouragement will ensure a healthy bedtime routine. Healthy bedtime routines enhance readiness for school, social skills and academic performance.
Personal Grooming
Coming to school neat and clean helps children stay focussed and healthy in school. We request you to ensure that your daughter follows these hygiene habits:
– Brushes her teeth at least twice a day
– Washes her face thoroughly, especially around the eyes
– Takes regular baths
– Keeps her finger and toenails short and clean
– Wears clean undergarments every day
– Wears a clean, well-ironed uniform every day
– Polishes her shoes
– Washes her hands before and after eating, and after using the toilet
– Ties her hair neatly, ensuring fringes are above the eyebrows
– Ensures her hair is free from nits and lice
– Refrains from dyeing, tinting, highlighting or streaking her hair
Nits and lice are a significant concern. This is your responsibility. Remember to check your daughter’s hair each and every day; it will take less than 5 minutes. If nits or lice are found, your child will be sent home until the issue is resolved.
School Bags/Backpacks
A school bag should not be heavy for children to lift on any day.
It is recommended that children carry no more than 20% of their body weight in their backpacks. The extra weight can pull a child backward, making them bend forward at the hips or arch the back to stay steady. This unnatural position can lead to shoulder, neck, and back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries.
The purchase of well-designed backpacks with compartments, padded straps, and a hip-strap help distribute the load evenly resulting in promoting good posture. When buying a school bag, do keep the following in mind:
– It should be lightweight, simple, durable and washable.
– It should have a separate compartment for the snack box and water bottle to prevent spills that damage your child’s books.
– Primary level children need to climb up the stairs to reach their classrooms. Therefore, rolling bags with extendable handles and wheels are not an option.
To ensure the school bag doesn’t get too heavy, get your children (Years 4-10) in to the habit of packing their school bags every night according to their timetable, bringing only required notebooks and textbooks for each subject. English and Urdu dictionaries and Atlases are kept in the classroom cupboards to avoid carrying extra weight.
Sickness
Sick children should stay at home. You are required to provide a doctor’s certificate if your daughter has been away from school for more than three days.
In case of a contagious illness (jaundice, measles, conjunctivitis, chickenpox) a fitness certificate from the doctor is essential.
If a child is under medication, you must inform the teacher via her diary and provide the medication and instructions for administering the medication if needed during school hours. The school does not provide any form of medicine.
Ensuring the above will help your children to stay healthy. A healthy student is a happy learner!