Walk to School & Active Travel
Why Active Travel?
Children love to be active! Children who are physically active enjoy healthier, happier and more socially connected lives than children who lead less active lives. If active habits are built in childhood people are more likely to grow up to be active adults and have health benefits across their lives. Active travel is a great way for kids to get their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
#ride2school
National Ride2School Day: Friday 22nd March 2024
In 2023, National Ride2School Day, was well supported by schools in Sunraysia.
A big thank you to Irymple PS, Red Cliffs PS, Mildura South PS, Nichols Point PS, St Paul’s PS, St Joseph’s PS, Red Cliffs East PS, Mildura West PS and The Lake PS who did such an amazing job promoting and conducting events on the day.
SCHS ran a local competition to promote the day, with the winning school being awarded 3 scooters to use as prizes to promote physical activity. The winning school was Irymple PS.
#ride2school
Walk Safely to School Day 2024: Fri 10th May
Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event when all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. This year Walk Safely to School Day is being held Friday 10th May. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.
Get your school involved by visiting the website:
https://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/
If you’re planning an event for Friday 10th May, we would love to hear from you!
#WSTSD
Before School Walking Club at St Paul’s PS Mildura
Active Travel Poster Competition
In 2022 SCHS ran an ‘Active Travel Poster Competition’.
We wanted kids to challenge their creative minds and create a poster that promotes the benefits of active travel to and from school.
Three winning designs were selected and each received a $100 Officeworks voucher. The three designs will be used to promote walk to school month in November, National Ride to School Day next year and Walk Safely to School Day next year.
Jenna Thornton – Merbein P-10
Remy O’Donnell – Nichols Point PS
Kaan San – Henderson College
Active Travel Incentive for Schools
In Term 1 of 2022, Sunraysia Community Health Services, gave local schools the opportunity to apply for funding to upgrade their bike and scooter racks. This funding opportunity was our response to the feedback we gained from children and young people during Walk to School month last year. The feedback indicated that a lack of safe storage for bikes and scooters at school was a potential barrier to active travel.
Nine local schools made successful applications and we were amazed by the quality of submissions that students made on behalf of their school. Congratulations to Mildura Senior College, The Lake PS, Red Cliffs East PS, Nichols Point PS, Koorlong PS, Henderson College, Ranfurly PS, St Pauls PS and Irymple SC who all made successful applications.
Walk to School Month: Monday 30th October to Friday 24th November 2023
In 2023, Walk to School month run from Monday 30th October – Friday 24th November.
Why Walk to School?
It encourages Victorian school aged students to walk, ride or scoot to and from school. It’s a great way to help students learn healthy habits and achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity, every day. Along with the health benefits, it’s also a great way to make friends, improve fitness, and build confidence. Active travel options to and from school reduce traffic congestion, save on parking, and reduce our impact on the environment.
The top 3 schools who had the highest percentage of active travellers won a school supply of coloured powder to enable them to conduct a school colour run. The winning school was also presented with the prestigious Golden Sneaker trophy.
The top 3 schools with the highest percentage of active travelers in 2023 were:
1st Red Cliffs SC
3rd The Lake PS
Honorable mentions to St Paul’s PS Mildura, Irymple PS, Red Cliffs East PS and Nichols Point PS.
Active Travel Tips
Walk to School Month Photo Competition
To celebrate Walk to School Month, SCHS ran a photo competition where entrants were asked to enter a photo that best captured the theme of ‘Active travel is more fun when we do it together, it’s a great way to connect with family and friends’. We had some wonderful entries and we’re very pleased to announce the top 3 entries were submitted by:
- Kim O’Brien
- Kendell Gathercole
- Katrina Young
Congratulations to the three winners who will all receive a $50 Intersport Gift Card.
Kim O’Brien
Kendall Gathercole
Katrina Young
Contact Us
Our Health Promotion Team are regularly offering incentive opportunities to support schools in promoting active travel.
For more information or to get your school involved contact:
David Hall – Health Promotion Officer
Phone: 03 5022 5444
Email: dhall@schs.com.au