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19,500 Canberra kids get active at ACT schools

The Minister's Physical Activity Challenge is having its biggest year yet with around 19,500 students across 51 public, 11 Catholic, 6 independent schools taking part this year.

The Minister's Physical Activity Challenge is having its biggest year yet with around 19,500 students across 51 public, 11 Catholic, 6 independent schools taking part this year.

Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr got into the Physical Activity Challenge this morning, joining in PE lessons at Canberra Christian School at Mawson and Saint Thomas More's Primary School at Campbell.

"It's great to see so many students at so many schools getting into the Minister's Physical Activity Challenge this year," Mr Barr said. "As Minister for Sport and Education I am in a unique position to understand how important being physically active is for young Canberrans both now and in the long run.

"Research shows that children exposed to physical activity at primary school age are more inclined to develop the skills and habits that will make them active and healthy adults. And physical activity also has a positive impact on how students learn."

Mr Barr said besides the health benefits for students, completing the Physical Activity Challenge is also good for schools, with prizes of sporting goods awarded to those successfully completing the Challenge.

"Schools which successfully complete the Challenge will share in total prizes worth up to $110,000 with individual schools receiving packs of sporting goods worth between $600 and $1,200 depending on the size of the school and the proportion of students taking part. Individual students can also earn reward stickers each week.

"To successfully complete the Challenge children will need to find an extra 30 minutes a day on top of their daily PE lesson, so I encourage every student and every school to try to find the time to meet the Challenge. It's easier than it may look because activities such as walking or riding to school, playing games at lunchtime or after school, or even walking the dog can help a student meet the challenge."

Mr Barr said the ACT Labor Government is taking practical steps to help students be active and healthy.

"The ACT Government has invested $650,000 in the Children's Physical Activity Foundation which is providing schools with access to exercise equipment and programs, while a special team of Physical Education Consultants is working with schools to deliver higher quality PE lessons.

"I wish every student and every school the best of luck in meeting the Minister's Physical Activity Challenge," Mr Barr said.