Tong primary pupils join walk-to-school challenge

Primary pupils join walk-to-school challenge: Media Release

Pupils and staff at Tong Primary School took part in the nationwide walk-to-school challenge on Friday (12 September).

The challenge, which encourages children across Scotland to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school is set up by Living Streets Scotland – a branch of the national Living Streets charity which campaigns for better walking environments and encourages people to walk for everyday local journeys.

The day began with pupils and staff walking or wheeling to school followed by a healthy breakfast provided by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), who fund the initiative in Scotland.

Pupils were joined by Eric Macleod, Active Schools Co-ordinator on Lewis, and Leah Mackay from HITRANS. Living Streets Project Co-ordinator Roanna Trerise delivered a special school assembly to launch WOW – The walk-to-school challenge from Living Streets.

Leah Mackay, Regional Team Leader at HITRANS Western Isles, said: “I’m delighted to be assisting with organising the Active Travel Breakfast for Tong School. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate families and pupils choosing healthy, sustainable journeys to school.

“Travelling actively to school supports better concentration in class and builds confidence and independence. Socially, it gives children a chance to connect with friends and their local community”.

Roanna Trerise said: “We’ve had a brilliant time launching WOW – the walk to school challenge at Tong Primary School. More than eighty pupils and staff chose to walk or wheel their way to school today and were rewarded with a healthy breakfast to set them up for the school day”.

The challenge saw over 180 primary schools in Scotland take part, with each pupil recording their journey to school on the interactive WOW Travel Tracker and rewards those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or Park and Stride’ to school with a WOW badge.

Tong Primary School is the latest school in the Western Isles to sign up for the challenge, joining Stornoway, Breasclete and Balivanich Primary Schools.

In Scotland, WOW schools see on average a 5-10 per cent increase in pupils walking to school with a corresponding drop in car use, helping to reduce congestion and improve safety outside the school gates.

Carol Ann McClean, Headteacher at Tong Primary School, said: “We are really excited to be joining other schools in the Western Isles in participating in WOW – the walk to school challenge. It has been wonderful to see the whole school come together to share their commitment to active travel, which is not only important for our pupils’ health and wellbeing, but also contributes to a more sustainable environment for our whole community”

You can view the evaluation here: Tong-Active-Travel-Breakfast-Evaluation-2.pdf