By Danielle Kutchel
Students in Berwick and Narre Warren enthusiastically took up the challenge to take active transport to school as part of National Ride2School Day.
On Friday 19 March, students at Berwick Primary School and Fleetwood Primary School were among the more than 350,000 students across the nation who took part in the event – part of a push to get students to get into the healthy habit of walking, scooting, skating or riding to school.
At Berwick Primary School, grade six teacher Scott Hunter helped lead a walking group of at least fifty students who journeyed to school together.
He said the walk helped “start the day on a good note”.
Meanwhile, the bike sheds at the school were overflowing with more than 100 bikes, in a reflection of the popularity of the event.
“We were trying to get as many kids as possible to create habits of rather than relying on mum and dad to get them to school, to start the day in a healthy way and create that positive start to the morning,” Mr Hunter said.
He added that active transport had other benefits too, like reducing traffic around the school and contributing to a healthier environment.
Tim Bowden, PE teacher at Fleetwood Primary School, agreed that Ride2School helped encourage physical activity in students.
He added that the day resulted in a greater sense of community and fellowship amongst students too.
“We had a lot of senior students helping the junior students with how to ride their bikes and scooters.
“They were really caring for each other. It was good to see, I was really proud of them,” he said.
Turnout at Fleetwood was “better than expected”, with around 60 students riding and scooting through the gates.
Mr Bowden said the school would “absolutely” participate again next year – “with twice the turnout, hopefully!”
