Walk to School Celebrations at Cohuna Consolidated Primary School

Cohuna Consolidated primary school students walked and rode their way to school on what was a chilly first day of the statewide Walk to School program.

This is the fourth year Cohuna Consolidated have participating in the Walk to School program. Last year 96% of students walked, rode, skated or scooted 3756 times during October - that’s about 2697 kilometres - equivalent to walking from Cohuna to Townsville!

Cohuna Consolidated also became the ninth Gannawarra primary school to be presented with a Get Active Statement. The statement recognises the school’s commitment to supporting Active and Healthy Lifestyles and forming partnerships with the wider community to provide every child with a great start to life!

Tanya from Northern District Community Health spoke about the importance of children being active and fitting at least 60 minutes of physical activity into each day. It’s a shame that children across Australia are spending more of their time watching screens and less time being physically active. Cohuna Consolidated encourages their students to be as active as they can while at school and participate in activities they enjoy in the community such as team sports, dancing and swimming. When children are physically active they are healthier, happier and more connected to family and friends.

This was followed by a fun and active Cha, Cha, Slide! dance session with Pia from the Gannawarra Library Service.

And, for the first time classes at Cohuna Consolidated will compete against each other in an effort to win a Gannawarra Golden Shoe trophy…

All eleven primary schools across the Gannawarra Shire are participating in this year’s Walk to School program with students encouraged to ride, walk or scoot to and from school, the school bus or while at school, throughout October.

The Walk to School program promotes the importance of children being Active and Healthy in their communities and fitting at least 60 minutes of physical activity into their daily lives. Getting actively to school, the school bus, or while at school not only helps keep children fit and healthy, it also helps them to stay alert, to concentrate and improves learning outcomes.

The Gannawarra VicHealth Walk to School program is rolled out across the Gannawarra Shire as a Gannawarra Local Agency Meeting (GLAM) partnership project. This is a partnership between Gannawarra Shire Council, Northern District Community Health, Kerang District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Mallee District Aboriginal Service, Victoria Police, with support from the Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership.

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

Follow along with the Gannawarra VicHealth Walk to School program: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyGannawarra

and our Gannawarra Walk to School BLOG: http://gannawarrawalkstoschool.blogspot.com.au/