School communities across Perth will take place in the event
Primary school students across Australia are gearing up to take part in National Walk Safely to School Day, aiming to step towards a healthier future while encouraging alternative active transport.
In its 26th year, the nationwide initiative encourages families and their children to walk to school as a way to support road safety, physical activity, community connection and promote environmental awareness.
The event emphasises not only the physical benefits of walking to school but the impact walking has on children's cognitive and academic performance.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
This year, Kewdale Primary School is showing its commitment by inviting police to walk with the students as well as having giveaways, participation certificates and even temporary tattoos. Principal Tracey Irving with Tayte Hannivia-Jones, Paige Daly, Chelsea Gawthorne and Max Oremek. Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian
Kewdale Primary School principal Tracey Irving said the school had proudly taken part in the event for the past four years.
'We are committed to equipping our students with the tools they need for lifelong success, and we believe that physical and mental health are fundamental to achieving that goal,' she said.
'Walking or riding to school is a simple yet powerful step families can take to support their children's health and wellbeing. With most of our students living only a short distance from school, even a brief walk can positively impact their learning, mental and physical health, and overall sense of wellbeing,'
As well as taking part of the Walk Safely to School event the school commits to other initiatives such as The Push-Up Challenge, Running club, Minister's Running Challenge and Crunch&Sip.
Chief executive of the Pedestrian Council of Australia Harold Scruby shares his concerns regarding the 'disturbing' statistics on the childhood obesity epidemic.
'It continues to affect one-in-four* children at critical levels across Australia,' he said.
'The best exercise for all Australians is walking regularly. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. We should encourage them to take a walk before school, during and at the end of their day.'
The initiative also encourages school and P&Cs to host a healthy breakfast on the day.
National Walk Safely to School Day is on Friday .
*Australian Bureau of Statistics: National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
June push-up challenge for headspace Margaret River to spotlight national suicide crisis
Community members are being encouraged to get involved in the local headspace's June Push-Up Challenge. Headspace offices across the country are taking up the task to complete 3214 push-ups in 23 days to honour the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023. Margaret River-based co-ordinator Dorian De Nobrega said there were great reasons to join the Push-Up Challenge. 'When people register for the challenge, they can choose to help raise vital funds for headspace to support our national youth mental health programs, or directly support their local headspace centre in Bunbury, Busselton or Margaret River,' he said. 'By participating and raising funds for headspace, we will be able to pilot new and innovative programs, grow our reach, and improve mental health outcomes of young people living in the region.' The Push-Up Challenge was created to promote awareness and encourage positive mental health, Mr De Nobrega said. The challenge is described as 'a fun and unique way to engage friends, family, colleagues and community in mental health through connection, physical activity and education'. 'Not only is the challenge lots of fun, but the visibility of it also means it generates conversations in our communities,' Mr De Nobrega said. 'These conversations help to reduce the stigma about mental ill health and encourage seeking help so people who are experiencing challenges don't feel so alone.' Mr De Nobrega stressed participants didn't have to be athletes or undertake any gruelling training regimen. They could instead complete half-push-ups, split the load with a friend, or substitute push-ups for less stressful movements like squats or burpees. To register and find out more, visit .
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
City of Greater Geraldton releasing its first public health plan with National Push-Up Challenge
Community wellbeing is being pushed to the fore as part of the City of Greater Geraldton's first public health plan. To launch the plan, the city is taking part in the National Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness of mental health issues, with all money raised donated to headspace Geraldton. The challenge is 3214 push-ups over 23 days, representing the 3214 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and is challenging local groups and figures to get involved. 'We'd like to throw out our first challenge to the Mid West Ports Authority and our local member, Kirrilee Warr. The push-ups are in your court,' he said. Mr Clune said he was going to build up to his push-ups. 'I don't want to do myself an injury. Go too hard, too fast. I did two yesterday. I've done three today. So, by the 23rd day, I'm hoping I'll get up to my quota,' he said. 'If we can bring the numbers down from what it is and the conversations that are had aren't too late; everyone thinks 'I should have done this. I could have done that'. 'So it gets people talking, gets people activated. There's nothing like a bit of physical activity to get the brain cells working,' City manager regulatory services Andy Gaze said people could take part as a team. 'It doesn't have to be a proper push-up — on the knees, sit-ups, squats. It's not just about doing push-ups but talking about mental health, suicide prevention and maybe saving a few lives,' he said. The city's health blueprint, Living Well in Greater Geraldton — Wellbeing Plan 2026-2031, aims to make it easier for the community to access greener spaces and provide inclusive programs, safer neighbourhoods and healthier environments. 'Public health is about preventing diseases, promoting healthy behaviours and addressing health disparities to prolong life. That is why we are committed to the development of our first public health plan, which will guide decision-making to foster healthier outcomes,' Mr Clune said. The public is invited to have their say on the development of the city's wellbeing plan, with feedback earning an entry into a draw to win a fitness tracker, yoga mat/towel or a smart water bottle. The survey is available at and closes on Monday, August 25, at 9am. Lifeline 13 11 14
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Perth dentist reveals side hustle making custom grillz
An Inglewood-based dentist has built a unique side hustle in creating custom dental grillz, blending his professional background in clinical dentistry with his strong passion for hip-hop culture. Dr Maheer Shah, also known as Dr Grillz, said his early obsession with Grand Theft Auto set the stage for his unexpected career twist. A backstage encounter with some DJs wearing grillz inspired him to begin experimenting with making them himself. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'They said you have to go to America to get them,' he said. 'I was like 'I'm a dentist' and then my friends were like 'you should get into grillz' and that was 10 years ago.' Dr Grillz said people had said they had no idea his service was in their 'backyard', with some travelling as far as South Korea to get the service. 'There was no one doing it here. I couldn't even find anyone to make them for me,' he said. Dr Grillz. Credit: Tom 'I started taking moulds of myself and just sending them to techs locally and overseas to see what they could do.' Dr Grillz said he had faced scepticism from some dental surgeries which did not see grillz as a part of dentistry. 'Some of the surgeries I worked at didn't really gel with it. They'd say 'this isn't dentistry',' he said. 'But to me, dentistry is about expression, feeling your best and a grill is a part of that. 'I still do 90 per cent general dentistry but smile makeovers are my thing.' Dr Grillz says grillz can make girls look more edgy. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian He emphasised the importance of health in his grillz, ensuring that they don't damage the teeth or gums. 'I'm still a dentist first and one of our big values with Dr Grillz is health,' he said. 'I really want to do this in a way that's good for your health, and not ruin your teeth or gum because that's like I'm failing at my main job.' Dr Grillz said a lot of people dreaded going to the dentist. 'You don't really get much positive reactions but with this kind of work you build really tight bonds, you become homies,' he said. 'When you get it done they feel like a million dollars. So that just that's so fulfilling compared to pulling out wisdom teeth; no one gets excited for that.' Dr Grillz said grillz were often misinterpreted but they had been around for longer than people think. Diamond implants are available. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'It's not just gangsters; grillz have existed for thousands of years. Mayans, royalty, Egyptians .. .people always wanted gold in their teeth,' he said. Dr Grillz said for the first eight years, almost all his work came through Instagram. 'People would DM me and I'd literally drive to their house and do a mold there because I didn't have a proper office,' Dr Grillz said. Dr Grillz plans to open up his own office which will merge clinical dentistry with the creative. Grillz have surged in popularity recently, especially among women, and he's now creating permanent diamond tooth implants — one of which he believes may be the first of its kind globally. His services range from $200 for a single temporary silver tooth all the way to $10,000 for diamond implants. 'Grillz are the ultimate accessory. The next evolution of self-expression after tattoos.' Dr Grillz said.
