Stepping towards healthier lifestyle

Students across Rockingham will take a healthy step forward this Friday when they take part in National Walk Safely to School Day.

More than 13 Rockingham schools have signed up to take part in the day, which encourages children across Australia to walk to school with their parents or carers, while learning to be safe, active and healthy.

Rockingham Beach Primary Campus is one of the schools set to embrace the initiative.

Deputy principal Sue Magowan said the morning was a positive way to bring the school community together. "After students and parents walk into school, they are invited to a whole school healthy breakfast," she said.

"The day promotes a healthy lifestyle and positive wellbeing."

Student Kate Owens, 8, said she walked to school most days with her mother and her little brother.

"It's fun because you get to spend time with your family and take your time and enjoy it," she said.

Meanwhile, classmate Myles O'Neill, 8, was more concerned about the impact cars were having on the environment.

"Walking to school is good because it means fewer cars are causing damage to the environment with their gas fumes," he said.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the City supported the day each year by offering schools donations for a healthy breakfast.

"It is a great way to encourage children to think about better health through alternative transport and cleaner air and we know that these things are important to our wider community," he said.

The annual event, now in its 16th year, encourages primary school-aged children to walk to and from school.