Welcome to ‘Functions of the Heart,’ Heart Children New Zealand’s online resource for teachers and students aged 5 – 13 years. 'Functions of the Heart' has been authenticated by Dr. Tom Gentles, Clinical Director of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services at Auckland Hospital.
It is easy to follow and includes step by step information, graphics and a variety of activities to inform, challenge and engage.
Designed to include aspects of the health, physical exercise and science curriculum, ‘Functions of the Heart’ provides the opportunity to discuss personal health and development, personal growth and the response of heart and lungs to regular physical activity. ‘Functions of the Heart’ is versatile in its approach; as a result the resource can be used and understood by a variety of ages and levels.
“Very cool, a great resource, something I would definitely use in class.”
(Mr Mark Insley, Year 7, Conifer Grove School, Papakura City)
Heart Children New Zealand is the only organisation dedicated to supporting the 12 babies born every week with a heart defect. This is New Zealand’s most serious common birth defect needing ongoing medical intervention. Heart Children New Zealand is not funded by the Government and as such need to raise significant funds to continue to provide vital support to children and families across New Zealand.
Heart Kids Week runs in the month of May each year and ideally we would like your school to culminate ‘Functions of the heart’ with a Heart-a-thon component during the first week back from the May school holidays.
The Heart-a-thon is a fundraiser for Heart Children New Zealand. It is based on information provided in the ‘Functions of the Heart’ resource and challenges children to demonstrate the knowledge they have learnt whilst also adding to the curriculum as children learn about the importance of actively contributing to the well-being of others.
We ask that you take ‘Functions of the Heart’ and the Heart Kids Week Heart-a-thon into consideration when planning your programme for 2008. If you would like a member of Heart Children New Zealand to speak at your school please contact Liz and she will do her best to arrange it.
Functions of the Heart Resource 
Functions of the Heart.pdf (2,848.78 KB)
The Heart-a-thon heart-a-thon.pdf (1,455.01 KB)
Other activities
Quiz Quiz.pdf (237.19 KB)
Colouring in a poster colour poster.pdf (68.30 KB)
Design a poster design poster.pdf (78.65 KB)
Wordfind wordfind.pdf (206.78 KB)
Origami 1 origami 1.pdf (51.01 KB)
Origami 2 origami 2.pdf (68.77 KB)
Write a love poem Love poem.pdf (59.21 KB)
Resource Order Form HKW 2008 resource order form - schools.pdf(41.17 KB)
We would appreciate it if you could email liz@heartchildren.org.nz to advise whether you are using the resource. We would also greatly appreciate your feedback and comments.
For any further information or clarification please contact Heart Children New Zealand. Liz@heartchildren.org.nz 09 377 9950 x 813 fax 09 377 9954
He oranga ngakau He pikanga waiora
Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth
(Ministry of Education, Health and physical exercise curriculum, Learning Media Ltd, 1999, pg 4)
