Walk or Wheel in Wairarapa!

Walk or Wheel in Wairarapa!

The inaugural Wairarapa Walk and Wheel Wednesdays has kicked off with a hiss and a roar this term with five schools already signed up to the Challenge.

The Challenge aims to encourage more Wairarapa primary school students to get active on the way to and from school.

Challenge coordinator and Greater Wellington School Travel Plan Coordinator, Rebecca Jamieson says around 60% of students are driven to and from most schools. Rebecca says “many of these students are missing out on learning important road safety skills and developing greater levels of independence and confidence. Walking and cycling to school can also increase children’s health and fitness; reduce congestion at the school gate and help the environment by reducing CO2 emissions from cars.”

Schools that have signed up to the Challenge have already got some great ideas for promoting walking and cycling and in some schools students are leading the way by running the Challenge themselves.

St Patricks School were already encouraging walking through their four Walking School Buses. Teacher, Liz Keane set up the buses and they have proved successful with over 30 children turning up some mornings. The school has signed up to the Challenge for the extra support and prizes to continue their walking promotion.

Room Three at Carterton School have taken on running the Challenge and have some great ideas such as a Wacky Hair Day for those that walk and cycle to school.

Greytown School’s Kaitiaki group are starting a Walk and Wheels Club. Students that walk or cycle to school will get their student designed ticket clipped each morning and go in the draw to win prizes.

Rebecca says it’s great to see so many students keen to promote walking and cycling to school and hopes more schools follow their lead and sign up to the Challenge.

Wairarapa Schools can sign up anytime in Term Four or Term One. All you need to do is contact Rebecca.

Further information: Rebecca Jamieson, 06 370 5634.