Gateshead school going the extra mile during TravelWise Week
Children from a Gateshead school have been leading the way in using sustainable transport as part of TravelWise Week.
Classmates from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Blaydon have been taking part in TravelWise Week 2023, a worldwide initiative promoting active travel and public transport, as well as other cleaner, healthier transport choices.
As part of their commitment, pupils have been throwing themselves into a range of activities spread over five days.
The week started with a special assembly highlighting different ways for pupils to travel into school more sustainably - from walking and scooting to cycling and taking public transport.
Tuesday saw a spectacular 'Bling your Bike' display with children encouraged to accessorise their bikes at home before showcasing their creations in the playground.
Mid-week there was an 'Active Travel Breakfast'.
Thursday involved a 'Street Name Search' where those taking part listed all the streets they passed on their journeys into school via bike, scooter, bus or on foot.
The action-packed week culminates today with 'Car Free Friday' where everyone is being encouraged to swap to an alternative mode of transport for the day.
Teacher Shereen Douglas who has been leading the school's ambitious programme of activities said:
"Everyone has really embraced the importance of travelling wisely this week, helping the environment and encouraging healthy bodies and minds too! We have had so many children taking part and enjoying the activities, especially on the 'Bling your Bike and Scooter Day' and the Active Travel Breakfast. Feedback from parents has been overwhelming, and they'd like to see more activities like this in the future."
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport at Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to see children getting the benefit of walking, cycling or scooting to school.
"It's good for the children's health and wellbeing, and good for everybody to have fewer car journeys on the roads around our schools."
TravelWise week is a worldwide, week-long Travel Challenge taking place between 16-22 September each year. Organised by ModeShift, it promotes active travel, public transport, and other cleaner and healthier transport choices. For more information, visit the TravelWise Week webpage. (opens new window)
If you're interested in exploring how you can introduce more eco-friendly and active journeys into your day, find out more on our Parking, roads and transport page.
You can also read about the steps we're taking to tackle climate change in Gateshead on our website.
Children from a Gateshead school have been leading the way in using sustainable transport as part of TravelWise Week.
Classmates from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Blaydon have been taking part in TravelWise Week 2023, a worldwide initiative promoting active travel and public transport, as well as other cleaner, healthier transport choices.
As part of their commitment, pupils have been throwing themselves into a range of activities spread over five days.
The week started with a special assembly highlighting different ways for pupils to travel into school more sustainably - from walking and scooting to cycling and taking public transport.
Tuesday saw a spectacular 'Bling your Bike' display with children encouraged to accessorise their bikes at home before showcasing their creations in the playground.
Mid-week there was an 'Active Travel Breakfast'.
Thursday involved a 'Street Name Search' where those taking part listed all the streets they passed on their journeys into school via bike, scooter, bus or on foot.
The action-packed week culminates today with 'Car Free Friday' where everyone is being encouraged to swap to an alternative mode of transport for the day.
Teacher Shereen Douglas who has been leading the school's ambitious programme of activities said:
"Everyone has really embraced the importance of travelling wisely this week, helping the environment and encouraging healthy bodies and minds too! We have had so many children taking part and enjoying the activities, especially on the 'Bling your Bike and Scooter Day' and the Active Travel Breakfast. Feedback from parents has been overwhelming, and they'd like to see more activities like this in the future."
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport at Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to see children getting the benefit of walking, cycling or scooting to school.
"It's good for the children's health and wellbeing, and good for everybody to have fewer car journeys on the roads around our schools."
TravelWise week is a worldwide, week-long Travel Challenge taking place between 16-22 September each year. Organised by ModeShift, it promotes active travel, public transport, and other cleaner and healthier transport choices. For more information, visit the TravelWise Week webpage. (opens new window)
If you're interested in exploring how you can introduce more eco-friendly and active journeys into your day, find out more on our Parking, roads and transport page.
You can also read about the steps we're taking to tackle climate change in Gateshead on our website.