When Brisbane City Council launched Active School Travel (AST) in 2004, Greenslopes State School was one of the first schools to join the program. Fifteen years on, Greenslopes State School continues its commitment to AST, linking active travel to broader community initiatives.
Greenslopes AST program is student-led. A team of 14 Year 6 students meet every fortnight to plan upcoming campaigns and events. This year, the team decided that each term should have a different active travel theme linked to a community need.
In term 1, the AST team used active travel events to raise money for Oonoonba State School which was closed during the Townsville floods. The Greenslopes AST team led a fundraising effort on each active travel day which also inspired Greenslopes Baptist Church to give to the cause. As many students had personal belongings destroyed by the flood, the AST team also held a 'footy boot' drive to help them back into sport without putting financial pressure on Townsville parents.
In total the Greenslopes AST team raised $1668 for the Oonoonba State School and donated over 40 pairs of boots which were personally delivered by a teacher's partner.
In term 2, the community outreach continued with AST activities linking with the Pyjama Foundation. During term 3, the school’s AST activities will focus on the RSPCA Million Paws campaign. No doubt we will see lots of active travellers walking with their pets to school in the Greenslopes area!
A staff and parent AST committee supports the Greenslopes State School student AST team. The school has averaged 63% active travel this year.
Well done to Greenslopes State School on their ongoing commitment, success and passion for active travel.