15 June 2005

Waimairi School: Putting Its Best Foot Forward

Waimairi School to launch travel plan

Waimairi School is putting its best foot forward by encouraging its staff and students to think carefully about how they travel to and from school, as reflected in the Waimairi School Travel Plan.

Canterbury Flames netballer Bessie Manu, New Zealand cricketers Chris Martin and Michael Papps, together with a couple of Canterbury Rams basketball players, the Town Crier and other guests will attend a special assembly at the school from 8.45am on Wednesday, 22 June, to celebrate the official launch of the Waimairi School Travel Plan.

The Travel Plan is the result of extensive consultation with the school community and is supported by the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority and Christchurch City Council.

It aims to promote practical alternatives to car travel to and from school to help reduce traffic congestion and chaos at the school gate, while also addressing safety concerns. The school hopes to encourage healthier and more active children, a cleaner environment and greater energy efficiency.

When children head back to class, dietician Bronwen King will talk to parents about healthy lunches and snacks for children and families. This session ties in with the healthy ethos that the school is trying to encourage and promote.

The session also links to 'Get Stuffed' - the social studies topic about food and health that the children explored earlier in the year and Bronwen's campaign that has been taken up by The Press, which encourages restaurants to offer healthier and more interesting menus for children.

Further information: Shannon Ussher, Waimairi School Travel Plan coordinator, at ussher@quicksilver.net.nz

(If you plan to attend this event, please do not drive down Tillman Avenue)

ENDS

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