Educational Minister commends teachers for their influence beyond school boundaries
The Active School Travel programme, a joint initiative by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department for Infrastructure, has been making strides in encouraging schools across Northern Ireland to adopt active and sustainable travel methods. Over the past decade, the programme has worked with over 500 schools, inspiring children to walk, scoot, or cycle to school, and reducing the numbers driven.
Recently, the programme recognised the exceptional efforts of two dedicated individuals - Kieran Kelleher from Glengormley Integrated Primary School and Cathy Park from Ballougry Primary School near Derry.
Kieran Kelleher was awarded the Active School Travel Champion of the Year for his passion, dedication, and impact on promoting active travel within his school community. Beth Harding, Active School Travel Manager, praised Kieran for setting a good example to children, fostering a culture of active travel that inspires positive habits.
Cathy Park, a long-serving member of staff at Ballougry Primary School, was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Despite the perilous road conditions, Cathy has been cycling to work for over 20 years and has served as an active travel role model to hundreds of students. Her commitment to active travel has not only benefited her students' physical health but also their social skills and mental wellbeing.
The awards were initiated due to the success of the Active School Travel programme delivered by our website. The programme offers a fun and interactive way for children to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine, making the journey to school an enjoyable experience.
John O'Dowd, the Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister, has praised teachers for their efforts in encouraging active travel. He emphasised the importance of active travel in addressing the climate emergency, reducing traffic congestion, and air pollution.
Dr. Hannah McCourt from the Public Health Agency also highlighted the benefits of active travel for children, stating that it contributes to their overall health and wellbeing.
Ballougry Primary School, located on a small country road with significant traffic, has seen a positive impact from the Active School Travel programme. The programme has resulted in increasing numbers of children traveling actively to school and decreasing numbers being driven.
The Active School Travel programme continues to make a difference in schools across Northern Ireland, inspiring pupils to build positive habits that last a lifetime. An Active School Travel Lifetime Achievement Award was also given to a member of school staff who has gone the extra mile to help pupils and colleagues adopt more active means of transport.
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