Following the success of Walk to School Month towards the end of last year, Loch Sport Primary School were announced as the South Eastern Region winners of the 2016 VicHealth Walk to School Competition.
The school recorded an outstanding 100% participation rate, with every student walking, riding or scooting to and from school every day during October.
For their determined efforts, on Monday 29 May, Loch Sport Primary School were presented with their $1,000 cash prize, commemorative plaque and enjoyed a terrific football clinic, hosted by Melbourne City Football Club (MCFC) representative Jorge Gero, which was also part of the winning prize package. The clinic taught students some basic football skills, and the school was also presented with a classroom soccer kit and MCFC goodies.
Wellington Shire Councillor Gayle Maher attended the event and congratulated the school on their achievement.
“It was terrific to see this small and energetic school take top honours in the awards, and it is a great credit to all the students, parents and teachers who took part in, or assisted with, the event,” Cr Maher said.
“Walk to School Month is vitally important in promoting physical activity amongst students, and establishing active routines. Council congratulates all the schools and students across Wellington who took part in Walk to School Month in October last year.”
Other top performing schools from Wellington Shire included Rosedale Primary, Heyfield Primary, Nambrok-Denison Primary, Bundalaguah Primary, Airly Primary and Guthridge Parade Primary, who were all awarded cash or other smaller prizes.
In total, Wellington Shire had 3,024 students who participated in Walk to School Month, walking 65,494 times over a total distance of 47,025km.
The award was the second consecutive win for a Wellington Shire school in the South Eastern Region, following on from Bundalaguah Primary School’s effort in 2015.
Wellington Shire Council will be encouraging all primary schools across the Shire to be involved in the 2017 VicHealth Walk to School program again this year. Registration information will be available soon.
For further information, visit walktoschool.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Officer on 1300 366 244.