Best feet go forward

STUDENTS and parents at Maramba Primary School left their cars at home last Friday and walked en masse as part of National Walk Safely to School Day.
The initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia aimed to educate children and their parents of the importance of being healthy and staying active, while reinforcing safe pedestrian behaviour.
Assistant principal of the Narre Warren school, Sue Peterken, said walking to school helped promote fitness and reduce local traffic congestion.
She said the school ran a successful walking school bus program with one bus operating five days a week and another three times a week, both morning and night.
“Walking to school is good for fitness as there is lot of concern these days about childhood obesity.
“This encourages students to be more active and reduces traffic congestion around the school.
“It is also good for the environment and is a lovely community builder.
“Children walk with friends and form friendships with students they might not otherwise meet.
“In a big school children normally just socialise with their classmates so through the walking school bus they meet new friends,” she said.
On Friday students and their parents who walked to school gained 10 points each for their house team.
All children and parents were encouraged to walk to Maramba and, if this was too far, park their car nearby and walk the rest of the way.
Ms Peterken said all students were given a Walk Safely to School badge and she presented certificates to all parents who walked to school.