Intersectoral Collaboration for the Development of a National Framework for Health Promoting Schools in Australia

T (NHPSI) was a policy development process that aimed to enhance and further expand health promoting schools in Australia.A grant of $247,000 (U.S.) was provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services.The NHPSI was conducted by the Australian Health Promoting Schools Association (AHPSA)I over seven months in 1997.This article describes the rationale and process of the NHPSI.Subsequent articles summarize the commissioned research conducted to inform the development of a National Framework for health promoting schools in Australia' and describe the recent outcomes of the project.A final article applies the health promoting school framework to HIV/AIDS.Founded as a British colony in 1788, Australia became a Federation in 1900.Australia includes six states and two territories, with education largely a state responsibility.Each state includes three school systems: public, catholic (religious), and independent schools (many with a religious affiliation).Each system shares a common state curriculum.Health education/promotion in various forms has been an ad hoc feature of Australian schools for 90 years."Health and Physical Education" is one of eight national key learning areas.While health often has a low priority Journal of School Health