Wheelie Safe Kids' Pete Murray with students at the small schools' road safety and physical education day.

Promoting bike safety and healthy living for small schools

Nov 26, 2024

Recently, three small schools—Herons Creek Public, Moorland Public, and Hannam Vale Public—joined forces for a unique educational event centred around road safety, healthy eating, and physical activity. This initiative was part of their annual collaboration on programs supporting the Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education curriculum.

A key highlight of the day was a bike safety session led by Pete Murray from Wheelie Safe Kids. Based in Port Macquarie, Pete provides engaging, practical safety education to schools across the state. His program focuses on equipping children, many unfamiliar with road environments, with essential safety skills for cycling near roads, footpaths, and traffic.

Complementing the bike safety lessons, health promotion teams from the Mid North Coast and Hunter New England Local Health Districts introduced students to the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity.

Blender bikes—stationary bikes with smoothie-making attachments—stole the show as students pedalled to blend smoothies using fresh fruits and vegetables. Games that focused on fundamental movement skills (FMS) added to the excitement, offering new ideas for teachers to incorporate into future activities.

Building partnerships and creating opportunities
The day wasn’t just about students. Staff from both health districts used the opportunity to connect with educators, share resources, and discuss future collaborations.

“It’s wonderful to see services like Wheelie Safe Kids in action,” said health promotion officer Peter Butler.

“We’re excited to explore more ways to bring bike safety education and active travel programs to schools in our region.”

Feedback from students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive, with some students trying new foods like Greek yogurt, hummus, and veggie sticks for the first time. The practical bike skills session was a particular hit, helping kids develop confidence and learn essential safety skills.

Looking ahead
The event highlighted the value of partnerships between schools and local health services. Plans are underway to establish a formal partnership with Wheelie Safe Kids, offering even more opportunities for bike safety education across the region. As the holiday season approaches, these initiatives are timely reminders of the importance of safety and health in children’s lives.