Students step out in Columba College

Students in Columba College were availing of the fine weather when they took part in a cycle-walk around Killucan as part of the Green School"s programme on Friday, March 20.Local gardaí Neil Donellan and Thomás Blake were on hand to lead the cycle in a safe manner across a six mile stretch that encompassed the banks of the Royal Canal.Travel is the fourth theme in the Green Schools programme and Columba College has set out its own travel target with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of pupils walking, cycling or using public transport, which will ease congestion by reducing the number of private cars arriving at the school gates.By promoting sustainable transport modes (walking, cycling, car pooling or public transport), Columba College will also improve pupils" safety, health and fitness.The journey to school is an ideal way for students to take part in regular physical activity, to interact with their peers, and to develop road sense children as pedestrians and cyclists.Alternative modes of transport also improve children"s alertness, with 90% of teachers surveyed across England and Wales saying that walking, cycling or using public transport increased pupils" concentration levels in class. The schools will also lessen their overall impact on the environment, by reducing emissions and pollution.