RETHINK THE SCHOOL RUN: ACT PUSH TO GET KIDS WALKING AGAIN - ACT SCHOOLS PIVOT DESPITE STRIKE DISRUPTION
Littlelion PR on behalf of the Pedestrian Council of Australia
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RETHINK THE SCHOOL RUN: ACT PUSH TO GET KIDS WALKING AGAIN
ACT SCHOOLS PIVOT DESPITE STRIKE DISRUPTION
15 May 2026: ACT parents are being urged to rethink the school run ahead of Walk Safely to School Day next Friday, 22 May, as research shows active travel to school has halved since the 1970s and fewer than one in four Australian children meet daily physical activity guidelines.
Now in its 27th year and part of National Road Safety Week, the initiative calls on families to build regular walking into children’s daily routines — not just on the day itself, but every day.
Sacred Heart Primary School in Pearce is participating on Friday 22 May, with Principal David Austin saying the school is proud to support the initiative and bring families together through walking and healthy activities before school.
“Walk Safely to School Day is a simple but important way to encourage healthy habits, road safety awareness and community connection. We’re looking forward to bringing students, staff and families together for a shared walk and healthy breakfast to start the school day in a positive and active way,” he said.
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby agreed, saying the benefits of ditching the car, even partially, are impossible to ignore.
“If you have to drive, park a few blocks from school and walk the rest of the way together. In doing so, you teach your children about health and road safety and how to cross roads safely.
“You both get exercise — and we know children perform far better in the classroom when they are active before school. You won't cause a dangerous traffic jam at the school gate. Your car won't emit those dangerous particulates that cause respiratory disorders in children. And you can walk back to your car, getting more exercise for yourself. It ticks every box,” Mr Scruby said.
The 2026 Australian Government physical activity guidelines recommend children aged 5–17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, but research shows only one third of Australian children use active travel for even part of their school journey.
“Come on Canberra — let’s get our kids walking to school. It’s one of the easiest ways to help children get the daily physical activity they need. And don’t forget, until children are 10 years old, they should always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road,” Mr Scruby said.
Schools across the ACT are putting their own local spin on the initiative through community walks, breakfasts and school activities designed to get families moving together before school.
At Sacred Heart Primary School in Pearce, students and families will take part in a group walk followed by a healthy community breakfast, while Good Shepherd Primary School in Amaroo is organising a community walk from the local park.
Holy Trinity Primary School in Curtin will welcome students with a disco party and tennis games as they arrive at school, while Lyons Early Childhood School families will gather at the local shops before walking together to school.
Schools including Namadgi School in Kambah, St Francis of Assisi Primary School in Calwell and St Thomas the Apostle Primary School in Kambah are also hosting community walks, breakfast activities and family events as part of the initiative.
Some ACT public schools are also adapting activities around planned industrial action next Friday morning to ensure the important health and road safety messages behind Walk Safely to School Day are not lost.
Ainslie School in Braddon will instead hold its Walk Safely to School Day activities on Thursday 21 May, with students, staff and families walking to school together from four locations including Corroboree Park, Haig Park, Glebe Park and Gorman Arts Centre before gathering onsite for fruit and community activities.
Ainslie School Principal Wendy Cave said the school remained committed to supporting the initiative.
“Walk Safely to School Day is an important opportunity for schools and families to come together to encourage healthy habits, independence and road safety awareness in a fun and positive way. While this year’s celebrations in the ACT may look a little different for some schools, the message behind the day remains just as important,” she said.
It is not too late to get involved. Visit walk.com.au for more information.
ENDS
FAST FACTS
WHAT: National Walk Safely to School Day
WHEN: Friday 22 May 2026
WHERE: Primary schools across Australia
CONNECT WITH A SCHOOL: See register of schools in your state that are happy to work with media across the country HERE
WHY: This national initiative aims to encourage children to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle by simply including a walk at the beginning, at lunchtime and at the end of each day. The event also promotes reduced car dependency, greater use of public transport, cleaner air, improved diets and road safety to primary school children across Australia.
HOW: Encourage children to build regular walking in their daily routine by walking to, during, and from school
MORE INFO & ASSETS: https://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/ & https://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/material.asp
MEDIA ASSETS & IMAGES: HERE
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalwalksafelytoschoolday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natwalktoschool/
X: https://x.com/natwalktoschool
Hashtag: #WSTSD
RESEARCH:
*ABS National Health Survey 2017-18
Australian Government Physical Activity Guidelines (updated 2026) - HERE
Heart Foundation / Healthy Active by Design – Active School Travel Research (2025) - HERE
Australian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People (2022) - HERE
Contact details:
Gabrielle Leonello, littlelion PR - 0425 554454 [email protected]
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