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High tech Healthy Harold home comes to Central Coast

Tuesday, 12 Feb 2019

More children from the NSW Central Coast will have access to drug, alcohol and anti-bullying programs in an exciting new high-tech environment, with the launch of Life Ed’s innovative new classroom space and 3D learning tool.

This year around 14,000 students from 39 schools in the Central Coast region will have the opportunity to see Life Ed’s ambassador, Healthy Harold, in his brand new home – an inflatable dome-shaped pop-up classroom.

Minister for Early Childhood Education and Assistant Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government has invested nearly $200,000 in funding to purchase the pop-up classrooms.

“Healthy Harold is an iconic ambassador for millions of children in Australia, so I am proud the NSW Government is able to support Life Education to continue his legacy,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Empowering young people to make good choices when it comes to their health and safety is so important, so I am thrilled that more children will have access to Healthy Harold through these pop-up classrooms.”

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the pop-up classrooms will have a positive impact for children and their families on the Central Coast.

“Life Ed is as important now as it has ever been,” Mr Crouch said.

“With boundless entertainment options in the digital age, it is essential for important life lessons to be delivered in an engaging and captivating way.”

Life Ed NSW CEO Kellie Sloane joined Ms Mitchell and Mr Crouch to launch the new pop-up classroom with children from Avoca Beach Public School, who were the first students in the area to experience the new space.

Ms Sloane said while the organisation will continue to use its fleet of vans to deliver classes across the state, including on the Central Coast, the new pop-up classrooms are a cost-effective alternative which will allow the organisation to reach more children in the area.

“Our mission is to empower as many children – including those in regional areas – with the skills and knowledge they need to make healthy choices. We’re on track to visit a record high number of students from the Central Coast this year with the help of this innovative learning space,” Ms Sloane said.

“The pop-up classroom still incorporates much-loved features of the van including the stars on the ceiling, touch screens, cutting-edge technologies and of course Healthy Harold,” she said.

Life Ed’s new pop-up classrooms will visit a number of schools across regional NSW over the next 12 months, including the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Orana, South West, Mid and Far North Coast, North West and Illawarra.

Last month, the NSW Government announced an additional $2 million in funding for Life Ed, to ensure Healthy Harold continues to educate the next generation of young students.

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