By New Waltham Academy pupils over halfway in their “Grimsby to Grimsby” walking challenge
Pupils at New Waltham Academy, along with parents and staff, have walked, ran and cycled over 2,000 miles in their “Grimsby to Grimsby” walking challenge, which aims to cover the 3,519 miles it takes to get from Grimsby, England to the Grimsby in Canada.
The scheme came about after the children completed a walking challenge which covered the distance from Grimsby to Calais and back during the February half term.
Aimee Grindle, an early years teacher at the school, said: “There were only 44 of us then, and we put it out to parents and told them to do lots of walking and to let us know their miles.
“We were talking a lot about France at the time so it was linked to what we were talking about in class and it was a big success. We wanted to see how we could take it to the next level, and we decided that because there is a Grimsby in Canada, we’ll do that.
“We were trying to come up with a way that we can do things together but also separate at the same time. This allows us to work together as a big team to achieve a goal while adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines.
“The situation with Covid-19 and lockdown was getting a bit tedious so this might give them a bit more of a focus for their daily walk. It gives them a target and gives purpose to the walks.”
Parents and staff add up the miles and send them to the challenge’s special email address after their walk. The miles are then counted on a Friday and announced on the school’s Twitter page, which has been active in covering the challenge.
From Grimsby U.K. to Grimsby Canada; from one harbour to another! Join us in our walking challenge to see if we can “walk” from Grimsby to Grimsby. Don’t forget to log your miles (just put the total in the subject box) and send to walking.challenge@newwaltham.net pic.twitter.com/iLwjD3gdlK
— New Waltham Academy (@NewWaltham) April 4, 2021
Jayne Perry, headteacher at New Waltham Academy, said: “As a school we were awarded the Gold Healthy Places award in June 2019, so fitness has always played a big part of our provision. The Early Years adventure had been another fun way to motivate children and continue to excite them about exercise, and we therefore wanted to develop this further and attempt a whole school walking challenge.
“Grimsby, Canada seemed a great place to choose for obvious reasons. As a whole school – which includes all children, their families and staff – we have embarked on the journey of attempting to collectively walk, run or cycle the whole distance!
“Whichever form of exercise counts and the Easter holidays seemed a great time to start the challenge. We are now thinking we may be able to walk back by the end of the academic year!”
