National Walk Safely to School Day
On a beautiful sunny morning, primary schools across the Diocese embraced the health, safety and well-being message in the annual Walk Safely to School Day. (19 May 2023)
Primary school students from across the diocese eagerly participated in the National Walk Safely to School Day. Now in its 24th year, the annual event is an opportunity for primary schools to promote positive attitudes towards health, safety and well-being in their school community.
It was an earlier-than-usual start for many students, families and staff from St James Primary School, Banora Point. Students and their families came together to promote road safety and healthy lifestyle choices by making their way on foot around the scenic Lake Kimberly, enjoying the sunshine. The crowd arrived at school and was greeted by cheers from enthusiastic staff.
‘The best part of the walk was being able to walk with my friends and get some exercise,’ said Year 2 student McKenzie.
At St Peter's Primary School, Port Macquarie, staff led an excited group of students joined by parents and grandparents through the beautiful Greenmeadows Reserve as they reminisced on their days of walking to school.
‘This is definitely a day that we would like to support next year as it raises awareness of both road safety and the benefits of walking, and it really is a fun way to start the day,’ said Principal Tess Koning.
The ‘walking bus’ at St Mary’s Primary School, Bellingen, was very popular, with more than half of the school involved by the time the three groups converged at the school gate. To promote the event, students designed posters that now decorate the school.
Long-standing participants in the event, St Ambrose Primary School, Pottsville, had the motivated Mini-Vinnies volunteers lead by example, participating in the ‘walking bus’, handing out the popular event tattoos and serving the healthy breakfast.
All of the participating schools hosted a healthy breakfast to promote the vital message that good nutrition can prevent a slump in concentration during the late morning hours.
‘It was so great to see the St Brigid’s Primary School community being represented out and about in Kyogle with such a large group of teachers and students at the meeting point in Kyogle early Friday morning. Although I was unable to walk to school with the students, it was lovely to be involved in the school grounds seeing all the children smiling and excited about the walk and eating breakfast together whilst I enjoyed a warming coffee in the sun. It was a great event for our students,’ said parent Clarie.
Thank you to the students, staff and families for participating in this day. An overwhelming positive way to start the day.
