St Dominics' students get into cycle of activity

By Rani Timoti

Riding buddies: St Dominic's School pupils Mikayla Afele, front, and Natassja Cox love their bike days

Pedal power is all the rage at St Dominic's School in Blockhouse Bay.Pupils are learning new skills, riding to school and taking part in weekend events such as Bike the Bays and the Weet-Bix Tryathlon.They're involved in the national Active Schools programme organised by the Sport and Recreation Council of New Zealand and overseen by Sports Auckland Active Schools facilitator Belinda Robertson.The scheme aims to get pupils physically active.Teacher Vicky Aisher says a survey revealed many children are keen on cycling but don't do it because they live in built-up areas.Now there's no stopping them.The children are bringing their bikes to the school every Friday to take part in activities.Those living a little further afield have their parents drop their bikes off at school so they can join in too.The event includes safety tips practised around coned circuits.Mikayla Afele loves bike day and is now mad on cycling."I am now doing the Weet-Bix Tryathlon," she says. .