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Walk Safely to
School Day 7 May
Pavements around Mount Gambier primary schools were pounded
on Friday morning, 7 May, as thousands of children practiced the
healthy habit of walking to school for National Walk Safely
to School Day!
For the eleventh year running, parents and carers from more
than 100 participating primary schools across the state are
walking safely to school with their children in an effort to
promote healthy lifestyle choices.
A total of 53 schools in rural and regional South Australia
with an enrolment of 12,177 students have registered with
the Pedestrian Council of Australia to take part in the
event – but dozens more are expected to be taking part with
the national uptake last year recording school participation
at 92%.
Tenison Woods College Deputy Principal, Amanda Parslow will
be one of the many staff and students who will be leaving
the car at home and marching through the school's gates to
support the event.
“We are very excited about national Walk Safely to School
Day because we see it as an opportunity to develop healthy
sustainable, habits, not only for one day, but for life.”
“Children develop lifestyle habits when they’re young.
Encouraging them to walk regularly, instead of jumping into
the car is an easy, effective and achievable way to forge
their pathway to becoming healthy adults.”
“A walk in the morning also prepares students mentally for
an active day of learning and playing.”
“And it’s great for parents too! By leaving the car at least
a kilometer from school, parents can avoid the traffic
congestion and stress of dropping the kids off, and enjoy a
peaceful walk and talk and the health of the morning air.”
“We have participated in Walk Safely to School Day over the
last four years and each year, the event gets bigger and
better! The kids just love the experience”. Mrs Parslow
said.
While regular walking helps children to win the battle
against obesity, today's walk will also help them to win big
prizes for themselves and their school with the launch of
two new Walk Safely to School Day competitions.
Students are invited to submit 50 words or less about why
they like to walk. The writer of the winning story will be
crowned the Official Walking Class Hero State Ambassador and
receive an official Walk Safely to School Day prize pack.
State coordinator for Walk Safely to School Day, Chris
Chalke, said: “Getting involved in the Walk Safely to School
Day initiative has always been an easy and fun way for
schools and their students to enjoy the healthy habit of
regular walking.
“A lot of children walk to and from school every day and we
want to hear how they do it and what they achieve from it.
That’s why we’re looking for stories to find SA’s own
Walking Class Hero."
To be in the running, kids should
submit a 50 word story about how they like to walk to
www.walk.com.au
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