Lake Charm Primary School

Lake Charm Primary School’s Walk to School activity on Friday 22 November focused on the Five Ways to Wellbeing encouraging children to be aware of their physical health as well as their mental health. The Five Ways to Well-being are a set of evidence-based actions which promote people’s wellbeing. They are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. These activities are simple things individuals can do in their everyday lives and through active practice of these actions, a healthier community can be encouraged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event started with the school bus dropping children, parents, teachers and visitors off at the Lake Charm Boat Ramp for a walk along the 1.5 kilometres of walking tracks through the sandhills back to school. The walk allowed the group to connect with each other while being active and taking notice of the world around them. The group took time to read the historical signage along the way as well as information boards on local fauna and flora.  This was a great way for the children and adults to learn more about the built and natural environments.

 

There were plenty of dangers to be aware of during the walk with senior girls at the front and rear of the group responsible for tapping the ground with walking sticks to discourage snakes (luckily we didn’t see any!) and a crossing of the busy Loddon Valley Highway was carefully planned with older children ‘buddying’ up with younger children to safely pass from one side to the other. This was a great lesson in giving and doing something nice to help others.

 

Back at school the children enjoyed a healthy outdoor breakfast before viewing the Gannawarra Walk to School media clip. Cr. Brian Gibson represented the Gannawarra Shire at the event and said how great it was to see so many happy and healthy children. Although the majority of the children attending the Lake Charm Primary School are unable to walk to school, many had either walked or cycled to their bus stops. This is a fantastic way to keep fit and active and to prepare for a day of learning at school.

Claire, a Community Health Nurse from Northern District Community Health, spoke to the children about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. She used the food guidelines to open up discussion on the types of foods we should all be eating as well as the quantities – lots of healthy carbohydrates for energy, at least 5 serves of different coloured vegetables for vitamins and minerals, 2 serves of fruits, some lean cuts of meat, legumes, eggs and nuts for protein and a small amount of fats and oils. The children talked about how they incorporate healthy foods into their diets and discussed ‘sometimes’ foods like lollies, bars, chips and pizza that are high in fat, sugar and salt. Portion sizes were also discussed using a portion size plate as a guide. Half of the plate should be filled with vegetables or salad, one quarter with a protein source such as lean meat, and one quarter with a carbohydrate like rice, pasta or grain.

 

Scott was awarded with a prize for walking to school each day. He is in Year Four and with 100% attendance at school, a quick calculation revealed that Scott walks to school 200 days each year, or 1,000 times over the 5 years he has attended the school.  What a great effort!

The School Principal thanked the Gannawarra Shire Council and Northern District Community Health for working with the Lake Charm Primary School on this event saying that it has a great way to encourage families and children to think about their food choices and to make physical activity part of everyday routines.

The event finished with the Principal leading a mindfulness session which the whole school participates in each day. The 10 minute session encouraged quite reflection and relaxation. The children reported that practicing mindfulness helps them to focus more on their learning and to sleep better at night.

 

The Lake Charm event was the ninth Walk to School and Healthy Breakfast event planned for the Gannawarra Shire during the month of November.