Leader of the pack: Archie Watson leads the school-bound contingent of riders across the Campaspe River bridge with Seth Hunter following closely behind.
Rochester’s St Joseph’s Primary School wellbeing officer Lorraine Bain has had a busy start to the year, helping students displaced by the October floods and managing the associated mental health challenges facing the school community with the challenges of the past six moths.
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But it didn’t stop her from bringing broad smiles to the faces of every student involved in National Ride2School Day last week.
Two sets of students set off from different starting points, both en-route to the Campaspe St school, where stop sign-carrying principal Liz Trewick acted as school crossing supervisor.
Riding a bike is a core focus of the Victorian Government’s Active Schools initiative, which supports school communities to go beyond traditional physical education and sport to find opportunities for physical activity throughout the day.
The government launched the Active Schools, Active Kids, Active Communities initiative in November 2020, putting $24.6 million towards ensuring students have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours that lead to healthy and active lives.
A further $1.4 million has been committed to continue the Ride2School program led by Bicycle Network Victoria, ensuring more kids are encouraged to stay active and healthy.
More than 203,280 students from more than 484 schools around Australia registered for Ride2School in 2023.
Ferocious face: Charlotte Wolfe strikes a pose not befitting of her cyclnig headwear, which sported a much more demure expression.
Mean machine: Ned Campbell’s interesting helmet immediately caught the eye as he waited at the crossing for the Rochester CFA truck to provide a warning to early motorists of the impending arrival of hordes of bike-riding students.
Proud Australian: Alice Connelly had the Australian flag on her helmet and paused for a moment before completing the trip from the Ampol service station, across the bridge and along the river to the school.
Lollipop principal: St Joseph’s Primary School principal Liz Trewick took on the role of school crossing supervisor as students completed the trek to Campaspe St on Ride2School Day.
Pink pedaler: Olivia O’Sullivan had a helmet matching her pink bicycle as she completed the route from Lions Park to St Joseph’s school.
Super scoot: Blake Osborn leads the pack with Alex Robertson and AJ Meloury in tow as they use their scooters to make the final approach to their school.
Up and over: Charlotte Harris is on the downhill run of the Campaspe River bridge as she and schoolmates participate in Ride2School Day.
Re-fuelling station: Sophie Kyne, Archie Keating and Carly Quinn were among the students to “power-up’’ after the early morning ride to school with fruit and yoghurt refreshments.
In training: Harper Williams has her attention caught by another cyclist.
