IINTERVIEWS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY AND NEXT WEEK
- Local NT Principals
- Harold Scruby, Pedestrian Council CEO on 0418110 011
DOWNLOAD MEDIA RELEASE HERE
RETHINK THE SCHOOL RUN: TOP END PUSH TO GET KIDS WALKING AGAIN
15 May 2026: Northern Territory parents are being urged to rethink the school run ahead of Walk Safely to School Day next Friday, 22 May, as research shows active travel to school has halved since the 1970s and fewer than one in four Australian children meet daily physical activity guidelines.
Now in its 27th year and part of National Road Safety Week, the initiative calls on families to build regular walking into children's daily routines - not just on the day itself, but every day.
Jingili Primary School in Darwin is participating on the day, with Principal Mark Mangohig saying they are proud to be involved and will be using Walk Safely to School Day to promote learning and discussion around road safety and other benefits of walking to school.
“This initiative offers a simple yet powerful opportunity for our community to build healthy habits, strengthen road safety awareness, and enjoy valuable time together before the school day begins. While it’s an important focus on the day itself, it reflects practices we encourage every day,” he said.
Likewise, Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs will also take part in Walk Safely to School Day activities, with Principal Penny Weily saying the initiative is an important reminder for families and students to prioritise both road safety and healthy daily habits.
“Walk Safely to School Day is a valuable opportunity to encourage children and families to slow down, reconnect and think more consciously about road safety and active travel. Even walking part of the way to school can make a positive difference to children’s health, wellbeing and readiness to learn,” she said.
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby agreed, saying the benefits of ditching the car, even partially, are impossible to ignore.
"If you have to drive, park a few blocks from school and walk the rest of the way together. In doing so, you teach your children about health and road safety and how to crossroads safely. Plus, you both get exercise - and we know children perform far better in the classroom when they are active before school. You won't cause a dangerous traffic jam at the school gate. Your car won't emit those dangerous particulates that cause respiratory disorders in children. And you can walk back to your car, getting more exercise for yourself. It ticks every box," Mr Scruby said.
The 2026 Australian Government physical activity guidelines recommend children aged 5-17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, but research shows only one third of Australian children use active travel for even part of their school journey.
“Come on Territorians – let’s get our kids walking to school! It’s also the easiest ways to help children get the daily physical activity they need. And don’t forget, until children are 10 years old, they should always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road,” Mr Scruby said.
Both Jingili Primary School in Darwin and Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs will take part in community Walk Safely to School Day walks for students and families as part of this year’s event, with Hector the Road Safety Cat also set to attend both events.
In the lead-up to the day, Jingili Primary School will deliver a week-long focus on road safety education and healthy habits through classroom learning and activities. On the day itself, the school will also host a healthy breakfast, music, games, activities and a school assembly focused on road safety messaging.
These are just some of the schools across the NT who are taking part in Walk Safely to School Day activities and broader National Road Safety Week initiatives next week. Schools like Bradshaw Primary School and Zuccoli Village Early Learners are also participating in the annual event, while the Northern Territory Department of Logistics and Infrastructure Road Safety Team will deliver road safety education sessions in Alice Springs schools and host the Newland Park Family Fun Event as part of next week’s Road Safety Week activities.
It is not too late to get involved. Visit walk.com.au for more information. ENDS
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ON WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY - FRIDAY 22 MAY
Darwin
School: Jingili Primary School, 17 Rindberg Street, Jingili NT 0810
Media contact on the day: Krystel Smith - [email protected] | 0418 167 396 | 08 8983 7555
Media Spokesperson: Principal Mark Mangohig
Runsheet on Friday 22 May 2026:
- 7.50am: Group Walk Safely to School community walk for students and families. Media are encouraged to meet at Ming Court, Jingili, which will serve as the official meeting point for the walk.
- 7.45am-8.15am: Healthy Start Breakfast with FREE fruit and muffins, plus smoothies, music, hopscotch, skipping activities and a meet and greet with Hector the Road Safety Cat.
- 8.35am: School assembly featuring Walk Safely to School Day and road safety messaging.
Alice Springs
School: Ross Park Primary School, 7A Winnecke Avenue, East Side NT 0870
Media contact on the day: Assistant Principal Alex Morton [email protected] | (08) 8955 2000
or Teresa O’Connell | [email protected] 0448 252 255
Media Spokesperson: Principal Penny Weily
Runsheet on Friday 22 May 2026:
- 7.30am: Parents and children will meet Hector the Road Safety Cat, and representatives from the NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure Road Safety at the Font Office which will serve as the official meeting point for the walk across the crossing with Hector
- 8.00am: Parents and children cross at the crossing with Hector.
FAST FACTS
WHAT: National Walk Safely to School Day
WHEN: Friday 22 May 2026
WHERE: Primary schools across Australia
CONNECT WITH A SCHOOL: See register of schools in your state that are happy to work with media across the country HERE
WHY: This national initiative aims to encourage children to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle by simply including a walk at the beginning, at lunchtime and at the end of each day. The event also promotes reduced car dependency, greater use of public transport, cleaner air, improved diets and road safety to primary school children across Australia.
HOW: Encourage children to build regular walking in their daily routine by walking to, during, and from school
MORE INFO & ASSETS: https://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/ & https://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/material.asp
MEDIA ASSETS & IMAGES: HERE
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalwalksafelytoschoolday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natwalktoschool/
X: https://x.com/natwalktoschool
Hashtag: #WSTSD
RESEARCH :
*ABS National Health Survey 2017-18
Australian Government Physical Activity Guidelines (updated 2026) - HERE
Heart Foundation / Healthy Active by Design – Active School Travel Research (2025) - HERE
Australian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People (2022) - HERE
Contact details:
Gabrielle Leonello, littlelion PR - 0425 554454 [email protected]
