To achieve it, the school had to focus on promoting nutritional health. Healthy food is served at the school canteen, camps and social functions.
Principal Elizabeth Wilson said the school had a health promotion committee, which met regularly to discuss and resolve health issues within the school.
The committee produced a cook book for school-leavers last year aimed at maintaining the healthy lifestyles of past pupils going into flats.
The award was officially presented during school assembly yesterday.
"We're delighted to have achieved a gold award. It is a process. Because the criteria for gold is very hard to meet, it has been a four-year process. We've taken it step by step." Miss Wilson said.
The gold award is only valid until April next year, at which time the school will be reassessed to see if it still reaches the strict standards required for the award.
"I think it's good that we have to apply for it every year because it will keep us on our toes," she said.
National Heart Foundation health promotion co-ordinator Jo Arthur said recent research had shown school pupils who were well nourished performed better academically, especially in mathematics.
Pupils also took fewer sick days, their behaviour in class was better and they achieved better results in sporting pursuits.
"Heart disease is the leading killer of women in New Zealand and most women are unaware of the risk of heart disease. Symptoms often go undetected because they [women] are too focused on the welfare of others.
"Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, a healthy school environment sets the scene for a long, heart-healthy life," she said.
