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.

Koondrook, Murrabit, Lake Charm and Quambatook Primary Schools

Small schools from across the Gannawarra Shire converged on Koondrook on Thursday for an exciting Walk to School activity.

The day gave the schools the opportunity to join together and learn more about a neighbouring community. Koondrook is set on the banks of the Murray River. It has a rich history based on the river, Koondrook to Kerang tramway and the sawmill industry, including the 125 year old Arbuthnot Sawmill that remains in operation today.

Starting at James Park near the historic Koondrook bridge the group of 100 students, plus teaching staff parents and community supporters walked a 1.6km length of the walking track along the Murray River to Apex Park. Along the track there were lots of redgum historic statues with stories as well as heritage buildings. The redgum trees and the Murray River were enjoyed as we meandered along.

At the Koondrook School gate Andrew from Victoria Police spoke to the children about being safe on the roads and streets using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think! message. Andrew said how important it is for children to be able to travel actively and safely to school or wherever else they needed to get to. Being seen and being sensible were also key take-home messages.

We arrived at Apex Park and after a welcome to Koondrook, Cr. Oscar Aertssen launched the new Gannawarra get walking! Walk your way to wellbeing brochure. He said that the involvement of students from across the Gannawarra Shire in the development of the brochure will encourage all in the community to walk more often and this is something to be really proud of.

Competition prizes of toothbrush and toothpaste packs were awarded to school children from each school.

Koondrook prize winners were Kaitie (12) and Max (6) who drew themselves out walking:

Murrabit’s competition was won by Olivia (12) who said that “When I’m walking I can see the world around me. I can learn so much more than when I am sitting inside watching TV.” Capri (10) also won a prize for her quote “After I go for a walk I feel calm and I have gotten all the craziness out of me. I also feel relaxed and when I am relaxed I don’t annoy mum.”

From Lake Charm the winning quote published in the brochure was submitted by Scott (11). Scott said that “After I go for a walk I feel refreshed and not tired anymore. I feel like I have done a good deed for the day. I have had my great exercise.” Tegan (10) also won a prize for a drawing of herself out walking in the sunshine with birds flying overhead:

Jim from Northern District Community Health spoke briefly about this year’s Gannawarra Walk to School theme – the Five Ways to Wellbeing – connect, be active, keep learning, take notice and give, and said that today was a chance to practice each of these five tips for healthy and happy living.

After a fresh fruit and milk snack students enjoyed a guided tour through Arbuthnot Sawmills where a raised platform allowed students to view the sawmill in operation. They were each presented with a piece of redgum parquetry to take home. We learnt about sustainable timber harvesting and how the timber from Koondrook is used, for flooring, picture framing, railway sleepers, fencing and furniture. The timber from Arbuthnot Sawmills was even used to bring the Echuca Wharf back to life.

Rhonda from Mallee Sports Assembly ran a fantastic program of team relay activities in the park. There was some fierce competition but the blue team headed by Cr. Keith den Houting was the overall winning team. Keith said he was proud to see all the children participating in the team sports and all four schools connecting with each other.

Rhonda wrapped up by saying how important it was to live an active life to keep bodies and minds strong and healthy. It also helps to prevent things like diabetes, heart disease and other ‘nasties’. Eating a healthy diet like fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water are also really important.

  

Year 6 Koondrook student Holly thanked everyone for coming and said what great fun it was walking, visiting the sawmill and playing games with the other children. She said she would miss Walk to School next year once she goes to high school.

Children collected their Gannawarra Walk to School packs before heading off in their school groups. Murrabit and Lake Charm headed back to the Koondrook School for a shared lunch and play while Quambatook enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park.

People of all shapes, sizes and abilities can benefit from being active and it’s never too late to start. Walking is a great way to be active, so pull on your walking shoes, and get walking!

There is one more Gannawarra Walk to School event and that’s at Kerang South Primary School on Friday 31^st October starting with an assembly at 9am.

Watch here for more photos, posts and comments...

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

Cohuna Consolidated Primary School

Getting to school actively and safely was the message for children to take home from the Gannawarra Walk to School event held on Tuesday at Cohuna Consolidated Primary School.

Mayor, Cr. Neville Goulding, told the children how pleased Council was to be working with primary schools across the Gannawarra Shire to deliver the VicHealth Walk to School program. He said that he was delighted to be involved and to be promoting the importance of being active and healthy.

Cr. Goulding launched the Gannawarra get walking! Walk your way to wellbeing brochure that the school children had been involved in putting together. The brochure aims to encourage all in the community to get out and be active. Two toothbrush and toothpaste prizes were awarded:

Cooper (8) submitted the winning entry with this fantastic drawing of him out walking in the sunshine with his dog:

Meika (6) also won a prize for her quote “I like walking because I love it and because it is fun. I like walking because it makes me feel like a grown up and it makes me healthy.”

 Tanya, a community health nurse with Northern District Community Health, spoke to the children about this year’s Gannawarra Walk to School theme – the Five Ways to Wellbeing – connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give. The Five Ways to Wellbeing support mental and physical health and are important tips for healthy living.

Glenda from the Gannawarra Library Service created lots of excitement with a laughter yoga session. Monster faces, the milk shake and lots of Ha, Ha, Ho, Ho, Hos! made for a great warm-up for our 30 minute walk.

 But before going out for our community walk, Andrew from Victoria Police delivered an informative pedestrian safety message – Stop, Look, Listen, Think! We had several roads to cross on our walk including the busy Murray Valley Highway. The walk gave children the chance to practice the pedestrian safety tips so that they are more aware when out walking by themselves or with their friends and family.

The 170 students, plus teaching staff, guests and parents then joined together for a leisurely walk from the school to the Gilrule Park walking track circuit and back. The scenic walk along the banks of the Gunbower Creek allowed children to learn more about their community and to take notice of the wonderful nature they have in their own town.

  

Back at the school healthy fruit platters and cups of cold milk were enjoyed.

   

Year 6 student Emily thanked everyone for coming and School Principal Andrew reminded the children that while October may be Walk to School month, it would be great to see children getting actively and safely to school all year round.

Remember that walking is a great activity for the whole family. Take your dog for a walk, meet up with a friend and go for a walk together, park away from the shops and walk the extra distance, and where possible help and encourage children to walk to school or the school bus.

On Thursday a Gannawarra Walk to School event will be held at Koondrook. This will be a combined activity with Lake Charm, Murrabit and Quambatook primary schools. The day will start at 9:45am with a 1.6 kilometre walk along the walking track from James Park (just near the Koondrook Bridge) to Apex Park. Along the way we will see lots of nature as we meander along the Murray River plus we will find out more about the history of Koondrook as we follow the Redgum Statue Walk and pass heritage buildings. There will be tours of the historic Arbuthnot Sawmill along with relay activities in the Park coordinated by the Mallee Sports Assembly.

Watch here for more photos, posts and comments...

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

Koondrook Pre-School

A big strawberry and carrot joined in the fun at Koondrook Pre-School at lunchtime on Friday as we slid, balanced, jumped, climbed and walked to promote the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

Cr. Mark Arians came along for a play along with Tanya from Northern District Community Health.

A colourful ‘fruit’ cake was enjoyed along with lots of chatter about the different types of fruit and vegetables the children enjoy eating. Cold cups of milk were also a special treat.

We talked about looking after our bodies by eating a rainbow of fruit and vegetables each day and drinking lots of water and sometimes milk. Looking after our teeth by eating well, drinking well and cleaning well was also a topic of conversation.

The children said how much they enjoyed coming to pre-school to learn and play with their friends. Being with our friends is great for our health and wellbeing too.

This was the final event to be held as part of the Gannawarra Shire’s Children’s Week program. All five pre-schools have enjoyed an event along with the Gannawarra Children’s Centre in Kerang. It’s been a full week of fun activities designed to support the healthy and active lifestyle messages across the early years.

Remember to keep walking every day, it’ll make you feel great!

Walk to School activities will continue at primary schools throughout the last week of October. An event will be held at Cohuna Consolidated School on Tuesday, students from Murrabit, Lake Charm and Quambatook will join with Koondrook on Thursday, and the final event will be held at Kerang South Primary School on Friday.

Watch here for more photos, posts and comments...

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

Cohuna Pre-School

It was a hive of activity at the Cohuna Pre-School Friday morning as children enjoyed a Walk to School and Children’s Week activity.

Tanya from Northern District Community Health and Cr. Lorraine Learmonth joined in the fun.

After a talk on the mat about healthy eating, being active and looking after ourselves, Tanya set up a ‘fruit shop’ and interacted with the children as they filed past to try different fruits – oranges, watermelon, strawberries were the favourites, but rockmelon and pineapple were new to some of the children and the rock melon was particularly liked. Tanya showed them on the fruit wall chart what a rockmelon looked like in the shops.

 After fruit and a glass of milk, a big carrot and strawberry appeared and the children loved interacting with these special characters as we played outside. The strawberry loved checking out the strawberry patch and the tomatoes were doing well too!

 The morning was a hot one so after lots of healthy outdoor activity, we all ended up paddling in the water play area.

Remember to choose healthy fresh foods like fruit and vegetables, drink lots of water and be active everyday….

Next we are off to have more fun at the Koondrook Pre-School.

Watch here for more photos, posts and comments...

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

Gannawarra Children’s Centre

What an exciting day it was on Thursday when the Gannawarra Walk to School team visited the Gannawarra Children’s Centre in Kerang. Combined with Children’s Week, the event was one of four being held during the week at Leitchville, Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook.

Children enjoyed messages about healthy eating, being active and how to look after their teeth - by cleaning twice a day, eating fresh foods like crunchy vegetables, and choosing water to drink rather than sticky soft drinks, juices and cordial.

A ‘fruit cake’ allowed the children from the two pre-schools to identify all the different types of fruit and to name off fruit and vegetables in a particular colour, like purple for example – eggplant, cabbage, plums, figs, grapes, even purple beans and carrots. Who would have thought there would be so many! They were able to share their favourites and how they liked to eat them.

Yummy fruits in all different colours were enjoyed by the children as a healthy morning tea along with a cold glass of milk.

     

Once everyone had enjoyed their healthy snack and had slipped on some sunscreen and slapped on a hat, it was outside for a well-earned play in the sunshine. Cr. Keith den Houting and a big strawberry and carrot joined in the fun, both quickly developing ‘fan clubs’.

The children loved showing the strawberry and carrot around. The strawberry went to London in the back seat of a crowded aeroplane as children piled in on top of her. And, the carrot, well she just kept getting chased around the ‘eaten’ by the hungry kids!

There was lot of smiles, laughter and chatter as children burned off some energy before settling back into their rooms for some more learning fun.

Being healthy and active gives children a great start to life….

Tomorrow we are off to the Cohuna Pre-school and Koondrook Pre-school.

Watch here for more photos, posts and comments...

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