Grounded in international best practices, our curriculum is shaped by a deep understanding of the diverse and dynamic world our students are growing up in. As “an international and proudly Bahamian school,” we offer a programme that reflects both global understanding and local relevance, preparing our students to make informed, ethical decisions about their health and well-being in any context.
A Curriculum for Life
Our Health Curriculum is designed to meet students where they are developmentally and to grow with them across the years. We address four interconnected domains:
1. Physical Wellness and Nutrition
Students learn how to take care of their bodies through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and hygiene. These lessons are not abstract—they are practical, applied, and grounded in everyday life. From the food they eat to how they move their bodies, students gain the knowledge and habits they need to stay well and thrive. We link these lessons to broader goals of performance, mood regulation, and energy, giving students ownership of their choices.
2. Social and Emotional Wellness
Emotional intelligence, resilience, and healthy relationships are essential skills for every learner. Our curriculum includes structured opportunities for students to explore their feelings, practice empathy, manage stress, and build strong interpersonal connections. This aligns directly with our school’s values of inclusion, respect, and safety, and supports the development of self-aware, culturally confident global citizens.
3. Substance Use and Risk Awareness
Rather than relying on fear-based messaging, we empower students with accurate, age-appropriate information about alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and other substances. Lessons emphasize media literacy, peer pressure dynamics, and the impact of substances on the developing body and brain. We focus on decision-making skills, refusal strategies, and personal responsibility—key elements in preparing students to navigate a complex world with confidence and care.
4. Personal Safety and Sexual Health
At every stage, safety is emphasized—from personal boundaries and online behaviour to consent and reproductive health. As students mature, we explore topics related to healthy relationships, body autonomy, and sexuality in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and aligned with our community values. These conversations are always handled with care, in a context of trust and mutual respect.
Health and Global Citizenship
Our Health Curriculum reflects our definition of global citizenship: inclusive, service-minded, and grounded in ethics and excellence. We challenge stereotypes, promote understanding, and encourage interdependence. Students explore the health challenges that affect different communities locally and globally, building both knowledge and compassion. In this way, health education becomes a platform for students to consider their own well-being as part of a shared human responsibility.
Learning with Purpose
In keeping with our school’s definition of high-quality learning, our Health Curriculum is:
- Student-centered: responsive to the needs, voices, and experiences of our learners
- Inquiry-driven: encouraging students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and seek deeper understanding
- Reflective: allowing students to set goals, monitor progress, and consider their personal growth
This approach ensures that health education is not just about acquiring facts—it’s about developing habits, perspectives, and inner resources that will serve students for life.
Respectful, Inclusive, and Safe
Health education can touch on sensitive topics, and we recognize the importance of approaching these with integrity and care. Our programme is inclusive of different cultural, religious, and family perspectives. We engage families as partners and ensure transparent communication about what is being taught, when, and why. Our teachers are trained to handle questions with sensitivity and professionalism, creating a safe environment where all students can learn and grow.
Wellbeing as a Foundation for Learning
At St Andrew’s, student wellbeing is not an add-on—it is foundational to everything we do. A student who understands how to care for their body, manage their emotions, and relate to others in healthy ways is better equipped to learn, lead, and live with purpose. Health education supports every aspect of a student’s development: academic, social, emotional, and ethical.
As we nurture each learner’s journey, our goal is clear: to empower young people to become resilient, self-aware, and compassionate individuals—ready not just to succeed in the world, but to make it better.
