Perth Primary School students will up their vigilance and receive a strong reminder about the importance of staying safe while walking to school by participating in the 24th annual National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday, May 19.
Championed by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking, or alternative active transport (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of children, not just on May 19, but every day.
Apart from the physical benefits, regular walking has a favourable impact on children’s cognitive and academic performance and Perth Primary principal Abbi Dean said that as a Move Well, Eat Well school, staff were always looking at ways to encourage its families to stay active.
“Those who can will walk to school on the day and upon arrival they will be treated to a fruit and vegetable snack to give them a great start to learning,” she said.
“By being involved we hope that alongside the physical benefits of walking to school, we are also encouraging our school community to be safe pedestrians in our community.
“We had a huge participation rate for our recent Ride 2 School Day but we are hoping to get even more families involved this time.”
Walk Safely to School Day also encourages positive environmental action, better use of public transport with reduced car-dependency and encourages parents and carers to walk more, reducing dangerous traffic congestion around schools.