HEALTH

A WEIGHTY ISSUE

To all members of our McKinnon family, I welcome you to 2021 and hope that this is a positive year for all.

The topic of the weight of school bags and their contents have been discussed in newsletters previously however it is always relevant for us to revisit this information and especially for those families new to McKinnon.

As reported by the ABC, last May, experts indicated that children should only carry 10 per cent of their body weight in their school bag. Laptops are now required so this adds to the weight. Many of our students choose to carry too much home on a daily basis. Often they carry unnecessary items such as a textbook when it has an e-link. 

Here are a few tips that can help lighten the load and reduce the risk of long term back and neck pain:  

• If students carry a lunch box, use a soft lunchbox as it is much lighter;
• Carry empty water bottles and then fill them on arriving at school;
• Pack the heavier items, closer to the body;
• Clean out school bags regularly as many unnecessary items are often found in the bottom of them. (As it is nearing the end of the semester, it may be time to look inside the school bag and remove unnecessary items.);
• Use your diary correctly so that you can plan in advance to take only the required resources to and from school;
• If the textbook has an ‘e-link’ be smarter with its use.

Susan Wilken

Health Learning Area Manager