In an effort to increase healthy behaviours among children, Latrobe Valley schools will participate in Walk to School November.
As well as regular exercise in physical education classes at school, students are being encouraged to walk or ride to school to incorporate extra physical activity into their daily routines throughout November.
The program, which is a joint initiative between Healthy Together Latrobe and VicHealth, was launched at Morwell Park Primary School yesterday with Walk and Wheel Wednesday.
The day included students walking, running and riding on and around the school grounds after a barbecue breakfast.
Morwell Park Primary School teacher Raylene Palmer said while the school regularly participated in Walk and Wheel Wednesdays, the school encouraged regularly healthy lifestyles for their students and would take the Walk to School message on board through November.
“We have the program every week so we’re doing our best to promote healthy lifestyles and healthy choices, so it’s a special day for Walk to School November,” Ms Palmer said.
“Generally our school is trying to promote healthy lifestyles involving exercise.
“We have an extensive phys ed program at the school and it encourages the kids to get out especially in weather like this, to get a bit of exercise.”
Across eight schools in Latrobe Valley, 1450 students registered to participate and will regularly log their exercise.
Latrobe City mayor Sandy Kam said she hoped students would improve their fitness, friendships and confidence by participating.
“Walking to school is something that everybody can participate in,” Cr Kam said
“It doesn’t require a financial commitment and it doesn’t mean having to buy expensive sporting equipment or uniforms.
“It is something that even parents can join in – so there are health and well being benefits across the ages.”
LCHS health promotion officer Catherine Hodgens said the initiative was to promote the idea of active transport which would see physical, environmental and social benefits in children.
“In Latrobe we’ve got a lot of children who aren’t getting enough exercise so it’s encouraging them to move more and walking to school is a really easy way of doing that,” she said.
For more information visit
www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au
