Active School Travel (AST) is an award-winning Council program to educate and motivate students, parents, carers and teachers to reduce car use and actively travel to and from school.
The program is for schools who want healthier, more active students and families; greater road safety awareness, safer streets and reduced traffic congestion.
We all want our kids to be healthier, move more and take advantage of walking, riding or scootering to school.
Students at Sherwood State School have the chance to be a part of the 2022 Active School Travel program, designed to encourage an active school community.
What is active school travel (AST)?
Brisbane City Council's Active School Travel program aims to change travel behaviour to and from school. Families are encouraged to walk, cycle, scooter, car pool or use public transport and even use our outside school hours care (before and after school care) to reduce traffic congestion around schools.
Traffic congestion and safe travel around our school are very important concerns shared by many of our families. This program is an opportunity to use local government expertise and resources to address issues that the school is experiencing in regards to traffic congestion.
The program aims to:
- reduce congestion around schools
- improve road safety around schools
- improve students' and parents' fitness, health and wellbeing
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- improve community networks.
More information is available from the Brisbane City Council here:-
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/school-transport/active-school-travel-program
Day to remember
Every Wednesday is known as Walk to School Wednesday, although you don't just have to walk!
A school group will depart from the Sherwood Arboretum at 7.50am every Wednesday.
Please remember: Wednesday is just a starting point. Actively travel to school whenever possible.
How to actively travel to school
We know that everyone is different, so there are lots of ways you can actively travel to school.
Walk
Leave the car at home and walk to school. If you live too far away, drive part of the way and walk the rest. We call that 'park and stride'. Read more tips about walking to school. See the map below for routes and where to meet us!
Cycle
Riding a bike with your children helps them get to school quickly, be active and develop a lifelong skill of riding. Read more tips about cycling to school.
Scoot
It's fun and fast to scooter to school. Just like when riding a bike, stick to the footpath and wear a helmet. Read more tips about scooting to school.
Car pool
Try car pooling with another family to help reduce the number of cars at the school gate. Read more tips about car pooling here.
Public transport
Travelling on public transport can give older children a sense of independence and free parents from daily school trips. Read more tips about taking public transport to school.
Focus for each month
The Golden Boot award is a monthly competition in which Sherwood State School competes against other active travel schools. The winning categories change each month to give all schools a chance at winning the coveted award.
Categories include the highest percentage of active travellers, most improved from the previous month and highest percentage of walkers. The winner of the Golden Boot has the privilege of displaying the trophy in their school for the month, as well as winning a great prize.
Weekly class winners will be presented at school assemblies, competing for the coveted active travel star trophy.
Want to help?
If you can assist with events and even stamp mornings we would love to have you there.
If you are interested in helping to improve the safe travel around the school, please email the principal ahawk19@eq.edu.au and leave your details. The more people we have supporting this program will ensure the program's success.