Blue Haven Public School is encouraging children to put on their walking shoes for National Walk Safely to School Day.
The annual event encourages parents and carers to walk to school with primary school-aged children, to promote the health and environmental benefits of walking and develop regular walking habits from an early age.
Taking place during National Road Safety Week (May 15 to 22), the day also aims to help children learn vital road-crossing skills.
Blue Haven Public School Principal Dale Edwards said there would be a variety of classroom activities to support the event on Friday, May 20.
“Walking regularly is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle not only for children, but for people of all ages, health and ability,” he said.
“It’s also important children are able to navigate the road rules to keep themselves safe when walking in the community and Walk Safely to School Day provides a great opportunity to do that.
“We will be delivering lessons on road safety and exercising safely in the lead-up to the day.
“We are fortunate to already have a number of students who are keen walkers, and we’ll be giving out stickers and other items to encourage students and families to take part.”
Nigel Tebb, health promotion officer at Central Coast Local Health District, encouraged schools and families across the Coast to get involved.
“Walk Safely to School Day is a great excuse to start reducing our dependency on the car,” Nigel said.
“There are so many benefits to getting into healthy habits like walking to school – from its importance to a child’s health, development and wellbeing, to reducing congestion on our roads and the pollution that results from that.
“It’s great to see schools like Blue Haven getting behind Walk Safely to School Day, and we encourage families across the Coast to get walking on the day.
“One of the keys to a safer walking environment for school children and other vulnerable road users is slower vehicle speed, so when driving, slow down and look out for pedestrians.”
For more information on National Walk Safely to School Day, visit www.walk.com.au.
Source:
Media release, May 9
Central Coast Local Health District