A number of primary schools in the Peel region celebrated National Walk Safety to School day on Friday morning, highlighting the benefits that walking has on health and general wellbeing.
The community initiative, in it’s 19th year, encourages primary school children to build walking into their daily routine, by walking to and from school every day.
Singleton Primary School banded behind the cause and organised a coffee van for the parents, and a stall with fresh fruit and snacks for the children.
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School officer Crystal Pens said the school celebrated the day ever year.
“It’s free for all the kids, whether they walk or ride,” she said. “It’s great, and the kids love it.”
School principal Bevan Ripp said the school was situated in the perfect location for students to walk or ride to class.
“It is safe and we are off the main roads,” he said.
Pedestrian Council of Australia chief Harold Scruby said obesity affected one in four children across Australia.
“Unless teachers, parents, carers and the community generally get behind this event and its objectives, it is expected that numbers will reach one in three by 2020,” he said.
“The best exercise for all of us is regular walking.
“Children require at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity.
“We should encourage them to include walking at the beginning, during and end of each day.”