Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Feature

Latrobe City steps up this October for Walk to School month

Walk to School Month 2014

As VicHealth’s Walk to School campaign returns to Latrobe City this October, organisations involved in the program are optimistic this year’s efforts will outpace last year’s result.

By Latrobe City - 24th September 2014 - Back to News

In Latrobe City, the campaign is driven by Healthy Together Latrobe, a partnership between Latrobe City Council and Latrobe Community Health Service. The campaign encourages primary students across Victoria to walk to and from school as often as possible throughout the month.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said VicHealth’s Walk to School month gives us the opportunity to change our children's lives by the simple act of walking to school.

"Encouraging your children to walk to school not only has health benefits, but it also helps them build friendships and confidence. Last year more than 800 students from six local schools participated in Walk to School, with 9247 walks recorded covering a distance of 7086 kilometres. We encourage all local primary schools to get involved this year, to make Walk to School even bigger and better.

"We would encourage all children within walking distance to walk or ride. If your children are young, or if your work permits, why not walk with your children so you both receive the enjoyment and benefits of walking together," Cr Gibson said.

Latrobe Community Health Service Chief Executive Officer, Ben Leigh, welcomed the return of the month-long campaign.

"National guidelines recommend children get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Walking to school is a great way to start the day, and provides parents and children a time to bond. Getting parents involved is also a great way leading by example," said Mr Leigh.

Throughout October, schools and parents are encouraged to help children record their walks using classroom calendars or the Walk to School website and app. Students will be able to participate in inter-class competitions to track how far they have walked, while parents can join in through "park and walk" options which encourage families to park their cars in a safe place and walk the rest of the distance to school.

All participating schools will receive student certificates to celebrate their students’ achievements, and will be in the running for regional prizes provided by VicHealth.

The primary school with the highest student participation rate will also receive a prize valued at $5,000.

VicHealth CEO, Jerril Rechter, said children who walk to and from school build healthy lifelong habits, become more familiar with their neighbourhoods and make new friends with other local children.

"Unfortunately, Australian children are now among the world’s least active. In the 1960s, one in 20 children was obese and today it’s one in four.

"One of the first steps to combat this concerning trend is to encourage kids to walk as often as they can, particularly walking to and from school instead of being driven.

"Last year, 30,000 students from more than 300 primary schools in Victoria joined us for Walk to School, walking more than 410,000 kilometres in total and with Latrobe City on board, we hope to exceed those numbers this year," Ms Rechter concluded.

Local schools can contact Healthy Together Latrobe at Latrobe City or Latrobe Community Health Service to find out more about local Walk to School activities, or visit www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au for more information.

Latrobe City Council, Media Relations Office: 5128 5458

Dominic McInerney, LCHS Media Manager: 5136 5236

Jane Gardner, VicHealth media: (03) 9667 1319 / 0435 761 732 jgardner@vichealth.vic.gov.au

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com