On May 16, you may notice some extra foot traffic in your neighbourhood for ‘Walk Safely to School Day’.
One of the participating schools is Bethany Catholic Primary School in Glenmore Park, where Principal Sergio Rosato is a big advocate for the special occasion.
“Walk Safely to School Day is an opportunity to build community. It’s also a great way of educating and informing children about road and pedestrian safety in a supportive way,” Rosato stated.
“It’s about making a learning experience fun, and then students can come to class and share it with their classmates and teachers.”
The morning feels like an adventure for children – many of whom don’t often get the opportunity to stretch their legs before the school day starts.
“We live in a time where walking isn’t generally the preferred way for children to get to school,” the principal explained.
“I know in this community, many of our children are driven to school by their parents, and some children catch the bus.”
The principal also explained how the campaign allows parents to build their children’s independence in a motivational way.
“Some will walk from their homes, and some will park their cars nearby and walk from there,” Rosato said.
“The bottom line is, when we walk, we walk together and we stick together, because that’s also a very important safety message for our children.”
‘Walk Safely to School Day’ is run annually by the Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA). The PCA CEO Harold Scruby encourages all Aussie families to give it a go.
“Walking is the best exercise we’ve got – and it’s free,” Scruby stated.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.