2017 marks the 8th year anniversary of St
Ambrose’s involvement in the Active School Travel Program – Walking Wheelie
Wednesdays. St Ambrose’s joined the Active School Travel (AST) Program in 2009.
The program is a Brisbane City Council scheme that aims to
improve road safety awareness around schools, encourage healthy active habits,
and reduce traffic congestion. Parents and students can participate on
Wednesdays throughout the term by leaving their car at home and walking,
scooting, cycling, carpooling, or by taking public transport to school.
The program is monitored by the year 6 leaders. They award
stickers to participants’ every Wednesday and keep records of their healthy
active habits. As an adopted year 6 leadership initiative, our leaders are also
responsible for encouraging students, creating sign board slogans, recording
activities, generating statistics and valet parking the bikes and scooters. At
assembly each Monday morning, the year 6s present a Golden Boot award to the
class with the greatest percentage of active school travellers.
St Ambrose’s continues to enjoy a consistently high
participation rate between 70-80% each week. The Active School Travel Programme
has become part of belonging to the St Ambrose School community.
“It has contributed to developing a real sense of community
within the school. It has also had a positive impact on the residents of
Davidson Street by relieving the traffic congestion.” – Parent.
“I think it is a wonderful program as it encourages a healthy
and active lifestyle in a simple daily task like getting to school.” – Year 6 Teacher.