5 days ago
Maori Hill School pupils active and stylish
Showing off their creative hats yesterday are Maori Hill School pupils (back row, from left) Gray Jackson, 9, Miheli Bowala, 11, Mackay Blaikie, 11, Harrison Bithell, 9, and deputy principal Ewan Todd; (front row, from left) Freddie Kilcullen, 5, Lucy Clark, 7, and Isabel Clark, 9. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
Tip your hat to the imagination of these Dunedin primary school pupils.
Maori Hill School pupils used everything from pom poms and candy wrappers to miscellaneous items from old party costumes to put together wild and wacky hats to wear on their way walking or riding their bike to school yesterday.
They were among more than 5000 children from 23 Dunedin primary schools to wheel, walk or scoot their way to school this month in celebration of Active August — a Dunedin City Council initiative to encourage children to stay active.
Council school travel co-ordinator Charlotte Flaherty said active travel improved safety at school gates by reducing congestion.
It also lowered carbon emissions and contributed to children's overall wellbeing.
Maori Hill School had one of the highest rates of walking and wheeling in the city, with about 45% of pupils arriving at school on foot or on a bike or scooter — as measured in February before Move it March began.
Year 6 pupil Miheli Bowala said she had a lot of candy wrappers around her house, so she decided to use them to decorate her hat.
She topped it with a giant lollipop made out of a balloon.
