Schools Go flat out

STUDENTS from across 14 schools in the Cardinia Shire will put their best foot forward this ’GOvember’ in an attempt to become more physically active.
Participating schools have each selected a day in November on which the children are asked to actively get to and from school, by either walking, riding, scooting or skating.
Students unable to get to school by foot will be required to run laps of their school’s football oval or basketball court.
The school with the highest number of ’GOvember’ participants will be announced the winner, and as a result, students will be allowed to bring a piece of equipment with wheels to school, along with their helmet, and embark on a tricky obstacle course around the school.The primary schools taking part in GOvember are Bunyip, Pakenham Springs, Beaconsfield, St Brigid’s, St Patrick’s, Beaconsfield Upper, Garfield, Pakenham Consolidated, Gembrook, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Bayles, Pakenham Hills and Kooweerup.
Cardinia Shire mayor Graeme Moore said getting to school by foot or bike was a great way for kids to fulfil the suggested amount of exercise for their age group.
“It’s recommended that children get 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day,” he said.
“Actively travelling to and from school is a great way to reach this target and it also means less traffic on the roads.”
“GOvember is just one of many ways the council is working with the community to encourage children to be more physically active, via our Streets Ahead program.”
GOvember is funded by VicHealth and It is an initiative of the VicHealth Walk to School and Cardinia Shire Council Streets Ahead programs.