Tewantin State School wins the 2013 TravelSmart to School Challenge

Tewantin State School has been announced as the winner of the 2013 TravelSmart to School Challenge, with Pomona State School coming in a close second.

More than 3800 students from 12 schools across the region participated in the challenge by cycling, walking, scooting, skateboarding, catching public transport or carpooling to school.

Each school kept a daily record of the number of TravelSmart trips made by students who participated over the challenge week and the school with the highest TravelSmart percentage won.

Transport Strategy Portfolio Councillor Baberowski congratulated the winning school and thanked all the schools for participating.

“Congratulations to Tewantin State School for their ongoing commitment to TravelSmart over the past seven years,” Cr Baberowski said.

“The continued involvement by this school community assists in reducing traffic congestion and provides a safer environment for the school community.”

Cr Baberowski said it is great to hear of so many children participating in the challenge.

“It demonstrates that cycling, walking and scootering are not only sustainable and legitimate alternatives to car travel, but they are also very popular active and healthy modes of transport with students.

“Public Transport also played a significant role, with 26 per cent of children using buses to get to school.”

During the competition period 13,656 TravelSmart trips to school were made, with 31 per cent walking, 27 per cent cycling (including scooters and skateboards), 26 per cent catching the bus and 15 per cent carpooling.

The prize pool to give away to participating students included children’s bikes, skateboards, scooters, helmets and sport shop vouchers, as well as a perpetual trophy.