Kerang South Primary School

The final Gannawarra Walk to School activity was held at Kerang South this morning. The children assembled outdoors where Year 6 students welcomed everyone in attendance, the National Anthem was sung, and weekly presentations based on good learning outcomes and positive behaviour were awarded.

         

Mayor Cr. Neville Goulding said how pleased he was that Kerang South’s 220 students were leading the way with a strong commitment to walking, scooting and riding to school every day, not just through October but throughout the year.

  

Cr. Goulding launched the Gannawarra get walking! Walk your way to wellbeing brochure with three prizes of toothpaste and toothbrush packs awarded:

Tennealle (11) had her fabulous drawing of herself out walking her dogs printed in the brochure. Kaden (8) also won a prize of himself out walking the dog past a lovely big apple tree: 

Cassidy (8) came third by saying “I like walking because you get to discover new things and you feel relaxed after a long day. I also like walking because you can meet a friend or even make a friend.”

The students then interacted with Andrew from Victoria Police as he went through some tips for staying safe on the roads using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think! message. This is called ‘pedestrian safety’ and is really important to give children and families the confidence to walk to school, the school bus, local park or shops, or even just to go walking the dog.

Tanya, a community health nurse from Northern District Community Health came along and talked to the children about this year’s Gannawarra Walk to School theme - the Five Ways to Wellbeing – connect, be active, keep learning, take notice and give. She gave examples of how children can practice these tips to healthy living as they go about their everyday lives – being generous, helping others, looking out for friends as well as being active are great ways to live healthy and happy lives. She was impressed by the school’s newly painted purple ‘buddy seat’ where children can sit when they feel they need a ‘buddy’ to talk to or some extra support.

Tanya also spoke to the children about eating healthy foods like fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables and drinking lots of water. She told the children that our bodies just don’t need sticky soft drinks, cordial, juices or sports drinks. Everyday and sometimes foods were discussed as well as looking after our teeth by brushing twice a day for two minutes. This helps get rid of the germs that cause nasty holes in our teeth. Looking after our teeth also means that we can share lots of big healthy smiles with our friends and family and that’s really important too!

Next it was a rowdy laughter yoga session with Nerida from the Gannawarra Library Service. This was a great warm-up for our walk around the oval – the wheels on the bus, lawnmower, vomit laugh, chicken clucking, clapping and lots of loud Ha, Ha, Ho, Ho, Hos! filled the air. 

Some students came dressed in the Halloween theme and this made for a spookily fun time as we walked around the school’s oval before heading back for fresh fruit platters and cold cups of milk and milo. The parents at Kerang South are committed to providing fresh fruit each Friday and Gannawarra Shire was proud to supply the fruit this week for them to cut up for their children to enjoy.

Being involved in Walk to School was a great way for the school to highlight how important it was for all children and their families to make walking part of their everyday routine. Being physically active is encouraged at school and this helps students to not only learn better, but also develop friendships, confidence and healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.

This was the final event on the Gannawarra Walk to School calendar. Eight events have been held throughout October with 9 primary schools, 5 pre-schools and the Gannawarra Children’s Centre all involved – that’s 940 children!

Walking is a simple way to improve your health and your wellbeing so don’t put it off, pull on your walking shoes right now and get walking!

Walk to School is a VicHealth initiative. For more information go to walktoschool.vic.gov.au.