THE 2016 Gannawarra Shire Walk to School program was officially launched at Lake Charm Primary School on Monday.
Throughout October Gannawarra Shire Council is encouraging all school children to walk, ride, skate or scoot to school, or the school bus, as part of the statewide VicHealth Walk to School program.
All 11 local primary schools will participate in the month-long program designed to motivate children and their families to be more active and healthy.
Lake Charm was chosen for the launch because of the school’s innovative approach to Walk to School month last year, adopting a Healthy October theme and producing posters and videos to promote health living.
“We chose Lake Charm because of what the school did last year with Healthy October; it was absolutely wonderful to bring in all those messages as well as promoting walking, riding, skating and scooting,” Gannawarra Shire Council community health manager Narelle O’Donoghue said.
Principal Jeff Millard said that focus on healthy living had continued over the past 12 months.
“We’ve talked about a lot of the problems associated with lack of exercise and a poor diet,” he said.
“The students have got lots of knowledge that will last them a lifetime and we’re really hoping they will go out into their communities and encourage others to think about diet and exercise.”
The Walk to School program was officially launched by Cr Neil Gannon, who congratulated the school on its commitment to healthy living.
The launch included a presentation from community health nurse Tanya Maher-Toose, who spoke about how physical activity improves concentration and learning.
“Here at Lake Charm you’ve got such incredible energy and it is great to see the enthusiasm and interest you all show in living healthy lives,” she said.
The official launch also included a presentation of the Gannawarra Get Active statement.
The statement, which was prepared by Gannawarra Shire Council in collaboration with all local schools, states how it is important for schools and parents to encourage and support children to be active and healthy.
This is the fourth consecutive year Gannawarra Shire Council is coordinating a Walk to School program after successfully applying for a $10,000 VicHealth Walk to School grant.
The Gannawarra Walk to School program is being delivered in partnership with Northern District Community Health Service, Kerang District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Mallee District Aboriginal Service, Victoria Police and the Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership.
