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Get ready, get set for Walk to School

Bass Coast primary schools and families are encouraged to get active this October by taking part in VicHealth’s Walk to School program.

By Portal Admin - 22nd September 2017 - Back to News

The program aims to encourage students and families to build healthy habits and walk, ride or scoot to school. School holidays are a great time to get prepared by making sure bikes and scooters are safe and ready to go for the start of term four.

Bass Coast Shire Council will work with local primary schools to deliver a range of activities encouraging more families to walk, ride or scoot to school this October, thanks to a grant from VicHealth.

The October activities will be varied to suit all ages and interests and will have a focus on being active, healthy and safe. Council will encourage schools to take part in competitions, park and walk events, healthy breakfasts and healthy eating events, and walking maps to help children walk to school safely. Council will support schools to coordinate activities which best suit their students, and will facilitate an active presence of Council rangers and Police.

Schools can help children record their walks using classroom calendars, and all participating schools will receive student certificates to celebrate their students’ achievements.

VicHealth are combining creativity with physical activity and encouraging kids to put their best foot forward by decorating their shoes, bikes or scooters to make Walk to School even more fun. There will be some great prizes for students with the most creative designs.

Schools with high participation levels and students who show a keen commitment to the Walk to School challenge will be in the running for some great prizes awarded by VicHealth, as well as the long term benefits of changing their habits towards a more active and healthier lifestyle.

VicHealth CEO, Jerril Rechter, said each year the Walk to School program continues to grow with more and more schools taking part.

"Last year more than 144,000 kids from over 750 schools across Victoria took part in Walk to School. Together they walked more than 2.2 million kilometres – the equivalent of walking almost 55 times around the world," Ms Rechter said.

"This year, we hope to see even more local kids getting active as they travel to and from school. If you can’t walk all the way, there are many great opportunities to get involved and support your school. Try parking the car a few blocks from school and walk, ride or scoot the rest."

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, echoed Ms Rechter on the value of the Walk to School event.

"VicHealth’s Walk to School initiative is a fun and free way to get school kids active and help them build lifelong healthy habits. It’s also a great way for parents and carers to enjoy some quality time with their kids," Cr Rothfield said.

Once term four starts, Council and Victoria Police will be monitoring school crossings and driver behaviour around schools to promote safer behaviour, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times.

Bass Coast schools can contact Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Department on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or 5671 2211 to find out more about local Walk to School activities, or visit www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au for more information.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com