Otago Girls' High School health prefect Serena Sangster (left) and deputy health prefect Olivia Severins (both 17) with the school's health committee chairwoman Christine Cook (centre) and the New Zealand Heart Foundation Gold Healthy Heart Award. Photo by Craig Baxter.

The school won the New Zealand Heart Foundation Gold Healthy Heart award after developing a heart healthy environment by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. The school joins Macandrew Bay School in Dunedin as one of only 23 nationwide to hold gold awards at present. They last for two years. Serena was delighted with the award.

''All our work has finally paid off, but it has also inspired us to do more. Overall, teachers have noticed higher levels of concentration in classes as a result.''

Other schools to have received a gold award in the past include Columba College and Forbury School in Dunedin, and Casa Nova Kindergarten in Oamaru.