The Pedestrian Council of Australia welcomes your support and your participation on National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 15 May 2009.

Walk Safely to School Day provides the perfect opportunity to:
- start a conversation
- show kids that walking is good for physical and mental health
- teach kids about vital road-crossing and road safety skills
- help the environment by reducing emissions.

Visit http://www.walk.com.au/ for more information.

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Let us know what you and your local schools are doing around National Walk Safely to School Day. Please send your message, photographs, MP3 audio or video to:

Emily Wood
Queensland PR Co-ordinator
Ph:(07) 3003-1159
Email:emily@synchronous.com.au.

Go to our blog archive to see what schools did for Walk Safely to School Day in 2008.

Together we can help our kids to be happy, healthy and safe.

ACTIVE KIDS ARE HEALTHY KIDS!



23 April 2009

What Queensland schools are participating?

Alpha State School, Alpha
Ascot State School, Ascot
Ashgrove State School, Ashgrove
Ashmore State School, Ashmore
Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera
Bald Hills State School, Bald Hills
Bambaroo State School, Bambaroo
Barcaldine State School, Barcaldine
Birkdale South State School, Birkdale
Blackwater North State School, Blackwater
Brassall State School, Brassall
Brighton State School, Brighton
Broadbeach State School, Broadbeach
Brookfield State School, Brookfield
Bundaberg East State School, Bundaberg
Bundamba State School, Bundamba
Burdekin Christian College, Ayr
Burnett Heads State School, Burnett Heads
Calliope State School, Calliope
Cannon Hill State School, Cannon Hill
Carlisle Christian College, Mackay
Cawarral State School, Cawarral
Clontarf Beach State School, Contarf
Clover Hill State School, Mudgeeraba
Coolangatta State School, Kirra
Coolnwynpin State School, Capalaba
Cranbrook State School, Cranbrook
Currimundi State School, Currimundi
Darra State School, Darra
Deception Bay North State School, Deception Bay
Dirranbandi P-10 State School, Dirranbandi
Edge Hill State School, Edge Hill
Eromanga State School, Eromanga
Ferny Grove State School, Ferny Grove
Ferny Hills State School, Ferny Hills
Forest Hill State School, Forest Hill
Frenchville State School, North Rockhampton
Georgetown State School, Georgetown
Gladtsone South State School, Gladstone
Gordonvale State School, Gordonvale
Gowrie State School, Gowrie Junction
Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell
Gympie South State School, Gympie
Gympie West State School, Gympie
Hatton Vale State School, Hatton Vale
Heatley State School, Heatley
Hendra State Schoo, Hendra
Hermit Park State School, Townsville
Hilliard State School, Alexandra Hills
Holy Spirit School, Cranbrook
Holy Spirit School, New Farm
Inala State School, Inala
Indooroopilly State School, Indooroopilly
Julia Creek State School, Julia Creek
Kin Kin State School, Kin Kin
Kingaroy State School, Kingaroy
Kingston State School, Kingston
Kirwan State Primary School, Kirwan
Lawnton State School, Lawnton
Lindum State School, Lindum
Machans Beach State School, Machans Beach
Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School, Birkdale
Mater Dei Catholic Primary School, Ashgrove West
Millmerran P-10 State School, Millmerran
Milton State School, Milton
Mirani State School, Mirani
Moggill State School, Moggill
Mount Crosby State School, Karana Downs
Mountain Creek Primary School, Mountain Creek
Mt Gravatt East State School, Mt Gravatt East
Mundoo State School, Wangan
Musgrave Hill State School, Southport
Nagoorin State School, Nagoorin
Nambour Primary School, Nambour
Nashville State School, Brighton
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Shelly Beach
Oxley State School, Oxley
Payne Road State School, The Gap
Queens Beach State School, Bowen
Richmond State School, Richmond
Riverside Adventist Christian School, Aitkenvale
Ropeley State School, Ropeley
Sacred Heart School, Yeppoon
Serviceton South State School, Inala
Shailer Patk State School, Shailer Park
St Agatha's Primary School, Clayfield
St Ambrose's School, Newmarket
St Andrew's Catholic College, Redlynch
St Anthony's School, Kedron
St Augustine's Parish School, Currumbin Waters
St Brigid's School, Rosewood
St Columba's School, Wilston
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, West Mackay
St George State School, St George
St Helens State School, Maryborough
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Bundaberg
St Patrick's Catholic School, Bundaberg
St. Andrew's Anglican College, Peregian Springs
St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bardon
St. Williams, Keperra
Strathpine State School, Strathpine
Strathpine West State School, Strathpine West
Sunnybank Anglican Outside School Hours Care, Sunnybank
Tagai State College - Badu Island Campus, Torres Strait
Tallebudgera State School, Tallebudgera
Taranganba State School, Yeppoon
Texas State School, Texas
The Willows State School, Kirwan
Torbanlea State School, Torbanlea
Vincent State School, Vincent
Walkerston State School, Walkerston
Warrigal Road State Primary School, Eight Mile Plains
Warrill View State School, Warrill View
Wellers Hill State School, Tarragindi
West End State School, West End
Whitfield State School, Whitfield
Windsor State School, Windsor
Yarrabah State School, Yarrabah


For more information about participating schools, please contact Amanda Stubbs-Watson or Emily Wood on 07 3003 1159/0400 795 424 or emily@synchronous.com.au

08 April 2009

Everything you need to get ready for Walk Safely to School Day

Below are links to everything you will need to get ready for Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 15 May 2009. Check out the great facts and how to guides!

FACT SHEET - Quick facts about the event

FACT SHEET - How to participate

FACT SHEET - How to host a healthy breakfast

FACT SHEET - Environment, transport & congestion

FACT SHEET - Health benefits of walking

If you want to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07 3003 1159.

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17 March 2009

Queensland Health supports Walk Safely to School Day

Many students like walking to school because it gives students time to talk to their friends. However, many parents or caregivers are concerned about safety issues with students walking to school. Walk Safely to School Day is an excellent opportunity for parents or caregivers to find out for themselves how safe or unsafe their child’s walk to school may be and show their child what behaviours can make it safe to walk to school.

The more students walk to school, the less traffic congestion will be around schools to cause safety concerns for walking students. Queensland Health endorses walking as a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way of travelling.

07 May 2008

Small school makes big walking effort

The 11 students at Ropeley State School had a great time walking to school on Walk Safely to School Day. With all the students living a fair distance from the school, it was a first for many of them to walk to school.

Students and teachers met at the Lutheran Church about 1.5 kms away from the school at 8.15am. They left the church at 8.25am and walked up hills and down dales on their way to school. Luckily there wasn't much traffic around.
On their walk they saw lots of cattle, some water in the dams, beautiful gardens, cow manure, litter, signs, clouds, blue sky, brown grass and a view of the school from up on top of the hill (through the brown grass).

At 8:50am they arrived safely at school and enjoyed a refreshing drink and a break before getting stuck into their lessons.

What a great effort!

06 May 2008

Active and healthy kids in Leyburn

In Leyburn, lots of kids catch the bus to school. However, on Friday the bus drivers stopped a few blocks away from the school and walked with the kids the rest of the way. Many staff members and parents did the same, and walked part of the way to school

Once at school, the kids enjoyed a healthy breakfast. A perfect start to a active and healthy lifestyle.

Well done to everyone at Leyburn State School who made such a great effort.

02 May 2008

Gypmie South walking to the beat of a drum

The school motto at Gypmie South State School is, 'together we make the difference'. Today, by walking to school, their students, teachers and parents really did make a difference.

55 students put their feet first and pounded the pavement to the beat of the drums played by Gypmie South Drum Corp who joined them for the walk.

With their school banner proudly leading the walkers and a multitude of blue and gold helium ballons floating along side, they definitely made an impact. Not just visually, but also in reducing traffic congestion and improving fitness.

The school also rewarded two lucky walkers, Ashlee Salt and Shawn Lee. Well done!
Their next walk will take place on 6 June 2008 – Queensland Day!!










Walking and talking at Ferny Grove State School

This morning, Nitro from the kids' TV show 'The Shak', Luttsy from Nova, and Mr Rod Welford, Minister for Education, Training and the Arts, walked to school with a huge group of kids from Ferny Grove State School.

Starting at the Upper Kedron Recreation Reserve, the group walked over a kilometer to school, picking up more and more walkers along the way.

Lots of kids and parents turned out for the event, which saw ten walking groups come together for a big celebration on the school oval.

During the walk Luttsy did live crosses to the Nova studio while having a chat to Nitro, Minister Rod Welford and some students about the benefits of walking to school.

Thanks to everyone at Ferny Grove for their enthusiasm and for putting their feet first on Walk Safely to School Day.



CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations to all the teachers, parents and kids that walked to school this morning.

Over 80 Queensland schools registered to participate, which is almost triple the number from last year. What a great result!

Keep an eye on this space for photos of some of Queensland's Walk Safely to School Day events.

If you want to share your photos from Walk Safely to School Day, we would love to see them. Send them to emily@synchronous.com.au.



29 April 2008

Only the best from Gympie West

At Gympie West State School, the Prep classes are leading the way for Walk Safely to School Day. The Prep classes are meeting other students and parents at a local park and then walking to school together from there.

Once the students arrive at school they will be rewarded with a healthy treat.

St John Vianney's getting ready to walk

St John Vianney’s Primary School will have students walking to school from six different points in the area on Walk Safely to School Day this Friday. Parents, teachers and their Adopt a Cop, Sgt Joe, will be supporting the children on the walk. Then, on arrival they will enjoy a healthy breakfast. What a great way to start the day!

Healthy all around in Calliope

Calliope State School will be joining in the fun this Friday. Students, teachers and parents will be walking to school and there will be a special presentation on parade.

The school is also hosting a free healthy breakfast through the school's Brekky Club. Thank you to the local IGA store who has funded this great initiative through their Community Chest funds.


Everyone is walking in Upper Mount Gravatt

Upper Mount Gravatt State School is proud to participate for the third year in a row in Walk Safely to School Day.

To celebrate the year of physical activity, the school has organised for all students from Prep to Year 7 to participate in this event by walking from the school through Roly Chapman Reserve and along the pavements surrounding the school. Parents have also been invited to walk along beside their kids.

Upper Mount Gravatt State School really enjoys organising and conducting events that allows its students to participate in fun enjoyable activities with friends and family. It is also a wonderful way to start the school day.

Walking rewarded in Petrie

Our Lady of the Way School in Petrie is encouraging its students to walk to school this Friday.
A group of teachers, students and parents will be starting at 7.20am for a 40 minute walk to school. After getting to school at 8:00am students will be rewarded for their efforts with lots of fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. This fruit has been kindly donated by Zone Fresh Gourmet Markets at Strathpine. Thank you.

Getting active in Bardon

Just as they have done in the last few years, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Bardon is encouraging their 345 kids to walk to school this Friday for WSTSD.

Last they participated in the Brisbane City Council’s Active School Travel programme to be more active in getting to school and decrease car travel, which they did by 23%!!

With 3 walking buses that operate at least once a week, kids in Bardon are definitely getting active. Families are encouraged to park their cars at a local park and walk the remaining 500m to school.

Even though they already have a dedicated Active School Travel day each week, they will be striving to get everyone out again on Friday. On Friday, all children who walk will be able to collect healthy snack from the school tuckshop and proudly display their WSTSD stickers. We can't wait to see some photos.

This year the school is also holding a Prep to Grade 2 colouring competition, and a poster design competition for Grades 3 to 7.
Great work!

28 April 2008

Small town making a big effort

Teachers at Leyburn State School have been encouraging kids to walk to school on Friday for Walk Safely to School Day. As Leyburn is a small town this is quite achievable and many children already walk to school every day.

They are also hosting a healthy breakfast to feed the hungry walkers.

Great work!

Walking together in Longreach

Longreach State School students, staff and parents are ready and raring to go for Walk Safely to School Day on Friday. They have organised to meet at their local park between 8:00 and 8.15am so that they can walk to school together.

What a great way to spend some time together and make some new friends.

Well done!

18 April 2008

Walking is the way to travel

Queensland Transport has always been a great supporter of Walk Safely to School Day. They are committed to getting people to walk more and use more public transport, which will mean better health and cleaner air.

Queensland Transport also has lots of information about walking and pedestrian safety on their website. To find out more, visit www.transport.qld.gov.au/pedestrian.

Walking is cool at Coolangatta

Students at Coolangatta State School will be walking further than usual on Walk Safley to School Day. To increase exercise and ease congestion, parents are being encourgaed to park the car further away and walk the rest of the way.

To reward the students who participate, the P&C will be providing fresh fruit, and between 8:00 and 9:00am Destiny from Gladiators will be coming to school to help the kids celebrate their achievement.

How cool is that!

17 April 2008

Augathella strive to succeed

The students at Augathella State School in rural Queensland are ready to pound the pavement on Walk Safely to School Day.

While only a small school, they 'strive to succeed'. And, I'm sure they will.

We can't wait to hear more about their Walk Safely to School Day activities.

Happy walking!

Nitro walks safely to school with kids from Graceville State School

Nitro walks safely to school with kids from Graceville State School