Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Active Routes to School

Active Routes to School (ARTS)

The ARTS Project is a collaboration between Transport for NSW (TFNSW), NSW Environmental and Zoo Education Centres (EZEC'S) local primary schools, and their local Council.  

The initiative is aimed at ‘behavior change’ by encouraging students to walk or ride to school to relieve traffic congestion around schools, and improve the environment (by reducing Co2), and students’ health 

Councils can apply for a grant from TFNSW, and schools in their LGA that would most benefit from the program are identified and invited to participate.  

The project then involves: 

  • Collection of transport mode data pre-initiative

  • Three, year 5 geography focused lessons, that support active walking and riding routes to school, are delivered by teachers from the school's closest EEC.

  • In these lessons, year 5 students will use geography skills in an authentic task to help prepare an active travel map of preferred walking and riding routes to their school as part of the three geography lessons.

  • Council will support the lessons with large scale maps, verifying and designating the proposed routes, preparing an official Active Travel school map, and  implementing minor footpath and wayfinding works as required, eg signage, decals on footpaths etc.

Transport for NSW may also support the project with resources and services like bike skills courses etc.

The Project offers an authentic learning experience, focusing on the quality teaching element of connectedness, and is aligned to the year 5 and 6 geography curriculum.  The propject is fully funded by TFNSW and there is no cost to the school. 

For more information or to register your interest, contact: 

Tim Fitzsimmons

Partnership Manager, Special Projects

Active Transport and Vibrancy

Planning, Integration and Passenger Transport for NSW

E tim.fitzsimmons@transport.nsw.gov.au 

To find out more about how the project works in other schools view the Resilient Willoughby Film Clip.