Welcome to
Life Education
Kāpiti / Horowhenua
Our Mission:
Life Education Kāpiti/Horowhenua does good in the community.
We teach health and positivity to primary and intermediate aged students within our local schools - from Paekākāriki in the south, to Foxton Beach/
Opiki/Tokomaru in the north.
Our Healthy Harold programme assists primary and intermediate schools with the teaching of the Health Curriculum, focusing on the following strands: Identity and Resilience; Relationships and Community; Human Biology; Substances; and Food and Nutrition.
Within these strands, topics include: Feelings/Emotions; Peer Pressure; Conflict Resolution; Resilience; Stress Management; Change; Personal Identity/Reputation/Self Worth; Leadership and Teamwork; Self-Efficacy/Assertiveness; Decision Making; Online Safety; Anatomy; Pubertal Change; The Effects of Drugs and Vaping; Balanced Diet; Food Sources/Packaging, and more!
Our Healthy Harold Mobile Classroom arrives at each and every school/kura, providing a unique, all-encompassing learning experience. Our classroom is purpose-built to teach our topics, with lighting, music, video and customised resources.
Our Approach:
Gone are the days of predetermined modules.
Instead, Life Education now custom-designs its lessons in response to the unique needs of schools and their students.
Our planning process involves collaboration with schools to ensure the most relevant topics are chosen from our list of 48 ‘Big Questions’.
Schools select syndicate-wide topics, or topics that address the needs of the ‘junior’, ‘senior’ or whole school.
We then discuss pertinent classroom nuances with teachers, so as to incorporate these into our lessons also.
View our ‘Big Questions’ HERE, or download them below:
Today’s Challenges for Tamariki:
The mental health and wellbeing of tamariki shape their success in life. Unfortunately young people in
New Zealand have poorer wellbeing than those in most OECD countries, ranking 35th of 38 on overall
child wellbeing outcomes. This is why Life Education Trust exists.
Watch our video below:
Our Educator:
Jonny Thompson is an experienced, registered teacher. He has taught at primary schools in Kāpiti, Wellington and Singapore. He is an advocate of student voice and diversity, and a big believer that learning should engage and empower. He loves that Team Harold Members are curious, respectful, and proud of their identity.
Jonny is hugely dedicated to his role. With high energy, sharp communication and quick rapport, Jonny has created positive relationships up and down the region with students and teachers alike. His rigorous approach to planning and organisation ensures his lessons are dynamic and relevant.
Jonny received the 2023 Life Education Ākina Tohu (Award) for innovative thinking in the face of new challenges, and was appointed as the 2024/2025 Educators’ Facilitator of the Lower North Island.
Jonny is highly qualified, with degrees in film, theatre and teaching, as well as a master’s degree in writing. He is a tertiary certified, technology-in-education leader.
Although his role as a Life Ed Educator brings all of Jonny’s passions together, it is the opportunity to inspire future generations that truly ignites his efforts: “Life Education brings joy to the hearts and minds of children (and their families). It makes the unknown, known, revealing the science behind mental and physical wellbeing in an exciting and meaningful way.”
When he’s not working alongside Harold, Jonny is kept busy by his two young kids and their shared thirst for adventure.
If you’d like to discuss a booking or any other matter with Jonny, please reach out to him below:
Support us!
Life Education Kāpti/Horowhenua is a registered Charitable Trust. Funds are raised through various means, including sponsorship packages, fundraising events, donations and grants. We do not receive financial support from the government.
We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our local sponsors - you rock!
If you’d like to discuss how you or your organisation can support the Kāpiti/Horowhenua Life Education Trust, please reach out to Malcolm Leeming below:
Teacher Feedback:
“Jonny and Harold capture the imagination and excitement of all our learners. The purpose-built classroom is excellent. Jonny is super organised, easy to work with, and open to sharing his experiences and learnings. Outstanding!”
“The content was perfect. The information prior and lessons provided were excellent, as were the follow-up activities. It supported our inquiry in just the right way.”
“Jonny caters to each year level across the school - not one 'show' for the whole school. Clearly, an experienced teacher is doing the delivery.”
“My students now understand the power their brain has. It has helped them really feel like they have control.”
“Jonny’s passion and enthusiasm was contagious and it was awesome to work alongside him.”
“Students are now being kinder to each other in the playground and around the classroom.”
“Thanks for coming to our school Jonny. The children loved you and so did our staff.”
“Jonny was highly skilled at working with different age groups.”
“Jonny and Harold are fabulous! Could be on TV!”
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