Kids call for active transport options

STUDENTS at Newington Primary School are working with the City of Ballarat to look at ways to promote active transport as part of a leadership program.

Their initiative was informed by the statewide and local government-partnered Active 2 School program, and teacher Shauna Hardy, who is coordinating the team, said it’s being led by student research.

“The leadership team are in the process of collecting data to see how many in our school community are and aren’t getting here in an active way and how many are not,” she said.

“The kids have met with a Ballarat council representative and were coming up with different solutions and ideas that could promote more community members actively getting to school.

“What’s been most identified is footpathing is an issue and not necessarily on all our streets. Another is crossing and car-parking. It’s a busy chaotic time for drop-off and pick-up.”

The leadership team features eight students throughout grades 4, 5 and 6 who have been working on the Active 2 School since the start of the school term.

Grade 5 student Tom Shillington is one of the leadership members, and said they’ve talked about several ideas.

“We’ve been discussing a zebra crossing so people can get back and forth from school really easily,” he said.

“We don’t have any of those so we’d like to get that safety while you’re enjoying riding to school or walking.

“Taking part in this and getting as many people as we can to be active feels so good.”

Signage for a walking route towards the school is another option, while bike education classes and free workshops are also being considered by the leadership team.

The municipality’s director of community wellbeing Matthew Wilson said there’s potential for outcomes to be had through the students’ ideas.

“We will continue to work with the school as part of this program to support the outcomes,” he said.

“To help encourage active transport the leaders have been promoting National Ride 2 School Day on Friday, 24 March.

“Following this event, an action plan based on their findings will be developed by the students to help reduce the barriers to active transport.

“It is wonderful to see that Newington Primary School is committed to reducing travel-based carbon emissions with eight of its student leaders championing the initiative within the school environment.”

The Active 2 School program is funded by RoadSafe Central Highlands and VicHealth as part of their Victorian Local Government Partnership.