STUDENTS from Emmanuel Christian School at Rokeby pounded the pavement this month on National Walk Safely to School Day, walking their way to better physical and mental health and cleaner air.
An estimated one million students around Australia participated in the national event that asks parents and carers to walk safely to school with their children, either all or at least part of the way.
Opposition spokesperson for Sport and Recreation Jacquie Petrusma MHA with Emmanuel school students on National Walk Safely to School Day.
The aim is to develop Active Kids and Healthy Kids by encouraging all Australian children to exercise regularly, including at least 60 minutes of walking in their daily routine.
Emmanuel school principal Geoff Hewitt said National Walk to School Day was an excellent initiative which the school was pleased to support.
“Parents and teachers working together to encourage and engage with our children to make healthy, active lifestyle choices can be invaluable in developing life long behaviours,” he said.
“It was a delight to see parents, children and teachers participate together in this fun, environmentally sound, relationship building activity.”
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Jacquie Petrusma joined Emmanuel school students in the walk.
“Children develop lifestyle habits when they’re young,” Mrs Petrusma said.
“Encouraging them to walk regularly, instead of jumping into the car for a short trip to school, is an easy, effective and achievable way to start their pathway to becoming healthy adults”.
“National Walk Safely to School Day is an excellent initiative, and one that I was only too happy to support in my local community.”
Event organiser, Harold Scruby from the Pedestrian Council of Australia, said National Walk Safely to School Day was this year celebrating its 11th year.
“The event promotes the vitally important message that Active Kids are Healthy Kids,” he said.
“It also encourages parents to drive less and walk more, aiming to decrease dangerous vehicle congestion around schools and reduce carbon emissions from idling cars.”
National Walk Safely to School Day is supported by the Australian Government.
