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.