Happy feet helping

By Kath Gannaway
STUDENTS at Wandin North Primary School took part in their third annual Mini Oxfam Walk in March.
All the students from Prep to Grade 6 and many parents set out from the school and walked along the Warburton trail to the Seville recreation reserve and back to the school, a total of 12 kilometres.
Principal Hetty Thomas was delighted with the event, hailing it as an extraordinary effort for everyone who set out to achieve a new goal this year.
“Some of our senior students and teachers ran most of the distance while some our youngest children, who have never walked this trail before, took it in their stride and completed the distance without a second thought,” Ms Thomas said.
She said the students had trained constantly for the event by completing laps of the school’s fitness track every morning.
“In 2008, the whole school covered a distance of 5390 kilometres,” Ms Thomas said. “This year so far they have completed 999 kilometres and our aim is to reach 6000 kilometres.”
The track is open at 8.30 every morning and children are able to record their results.
Ms Thomas said the activity had become a regular feature at Wandin North and one which was promoting good health and sensible lifestyle choices.
Ms Thomas said the success of the day was also due to the parents who walked with the teams of children, helped at the road crossings, prepared the barbecue and transported tired children at the end of the day.
Sponsorship money is still filtering in to the school with the aim being to raise $1000 for Oxfam.