ST JOSEPH’S Primary School students made important steps towards a healthier future on Friday 20 May by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day.
The day aims to raise awareness of the health, safety and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for children’s long-term wellbeing. Apart from the physical benefits, regular walking also has a favourable impact on children’s cognitive and academic performance. Now in its 23rd year, the annual event has joined forces with National Road Safety Week (15-22 May).
Principal Monica O’Shannassy joined students, teachers and parents on the walk, and said students learned road safety lessons and enjoyed the exercise.
Chairman and CEO of the Pedestrian Council of Australia Harold Scruby said the day encouraged positive environmental action, better use of public transport, reduced car-dependency and parents and carers to walk more, reducing traffic at schools.
“The extremely disturbing childhood obesity epidemic continues to affect one in four children at critical levels across Australia,” he said. “The best exercise for all Australians is walking regularly. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. We should encourage them to take a walk before school, during and at end of their day.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 31 May 2022
