Games such as Fortnite and Minecraft may be trending online, however Yenda Public School has switched the screen-time-trends for one of fitness.
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Students, parents and teachers have all come together to participate in the Active Challenge with the tag #yendapublicactivechallenge.
Principal Belinda Wallace explained the aim of the game was to share photos of kids being active, outside, or away from the screens during the school holiday period.
“As the Principal of the school, I shuddered to think about how much time my students would be glued to computers and devices through the holidays – especially to Fortnite, so I issued the challenge,” Ms Wallace said.
Students and parents were encouraged to get out and be active, and to send photos through to the school’s Facebook page for the chance to win a fitness tracker and a Family Funland voucher.
The response from the students has been phenomenal, with over 50 photos shared since the first Saturday morning, with over 200 photos shared in the first week of holidays.
Mum of five Catherine Twigg said all of her kids really got into the challenge, even with two in high school, and seeing as they didn’t know about the prize until after few posts, it’s clear the kids were just enjoying being a part of the challenge.
“Parents are always trying to get kids off devices, and it is making is easier to encourage them to do something different,” Mrs Twigg said.
“They came home with it, and when they saw other people putting photos up it started. It’s really excellent to see.”
From going out to Barellan Working Clydesdales, bike rides and walking, bouldering and fishing, it seems nothing can keep these kids away from the outdoors.
"From the amazing response we’ve had, even from the teachers, I would love to continue the theme the next holidays, possibly with a reading challenge.
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“While it is important we exercise our bodies, exercising our minds is just as important,” Ms Wallace said.
“It would be great to see other schools and organisations get involved.”
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