Walk, ride and scoot to school during October

Published on 10 October 2018

Horsham Rural City Council will join Wimmera Health Care Group in its mission to get kids walking, riding and scooting to school this October as part of VicHealth’s annual Walk to School Month.

Mayor Pam Clarke said the free program was easy and fun way for kids to get active and learn healthy habits for life.

“Council has received a Walk to School grant from VicHealth, and is pleased to support six primary schools by delivering local Walk to School activities and initiatives that encourage ongoing, active travel,” she said.

“Walking, riding or scooting to and from school every day is an easy way to make physical activity part of kids’ daily life which is why our Walk to School program is so important.

“It’s also a great way to spend some quality time with your family without the usual hustle and bustle of school drop off and pickup involved,” she said.

Wimmera Health Care Group Community Health Coordinator Janine Harfield said students who lived too far from school were encouraged to consider finding a suitable drop off point so they can walk/ride/scoot part of the way.

“Walk to School Month suits people with every level of fitness and we also want to ensure students who are not within walking distance of their school to participate,” Ms Harfield said.

“The idea is for parents to park a block or two from the school and walk with their children until they are happy they are safe crossing the roads.

HRCC Director Community Wellbeing Kevin O’Brien said Walk to School Month was an example of Council working in partnership with community groups to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes.

“Horsham is such a beautiful city and it is much easier to appreciate from the footpath than through a car window,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Helping our kids to get active to enhance their health and wellbeing is a major goal in our Health and Wellbeing Plan,” he said.

Participating schools are Horsham Primary (both 298 and Rasmussen Rd Campuses), St Michaels and St Johns, Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Horsham Special School, Natimuk Primary and Laharum Primary.

Walk to School runs from 8 October to 2 November. For more information or to register visit www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au.