Vergina Gymnasium
Vergina’s Gymnasium is the largest in Larnaca (built over the ancient kingdom of “Kition”).Vergina Gymnasium houses 520 pupils in total and 70 teachers(some part time). The pupils’ age ranges from 12-16 and they come to school by bus from neighboring villages. All students study at least 2 foreign languages (English and French). Creating contacts to students in other European Countries is essential for language motivation as well as personal development.Nowadays teenagers feel they are free to eat whatever the want, especially junk food. Students spend a big part of their daytime at school and they have to be taught how to have “healthy mind and body”, as many cannot differentiate between healthy and unhealthy foods. Being taught the difference between nutritious food and junk food, they are more likely to make healthy choices as they grow older.Nutrition education can influence the way that teenagers view food choices and eating habits and shape their perspective of health and wellness for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that nutrition education is rarely a priority in the public-school system, primarily due to the fact that most schools simply do not have the time or the resources to focus on food/nutrition education in the classroom.Teaching nutrition education may be a major factor in preventing obesity, Cyprus is at the forefront among European countries with the highest rates of childhood obesity, which is showing a worryingly rising trend, according to World Health Organization (WHO). Many of these children will suffer from a plethora of potential health complications and issues, as well as several social and emotional complications, such as low self-esteem, behavioral and learning problems and depression. The key people will be Vivia Haili Mannari a Biology teacher. Morfini Nicolaou a Greek Language Assistant Head Master and Gavriella Panagiotou a Home Economics teacher. The aim of the program was for students and teachers to get used to a healthy way of eating with proper nutrition and exercise.
School Website: http://gym-vergina-lar.schools.ac.cy
School Website: http://gym-vergina-lar.schools.ac.cy