Read our Q&A with Moree Public School’s coordinator and student leaders
Moree Public School has made a vibrant return to the Jump Rope for Heart program after a hiatus since 2019, reigniting enthusiasm for skipping, fitness, and fundraising across its school community.
Led by their school coordinator Alyce Rigby and supported by passionate students and staff, the school has embraced the program not only as a fun and inclusive activity but also as a meaningful way to support heart health.
In this interview, Alyce and the Moree Public School student leaders - Frances, Tamara, Eleanor, Josie,
Maddie, Waruna and Archy - share their experiences, strategies, and reflections on what makes Jump Rope for Heart such a valuable initiative for their school.
1. Prior to last year, your school hadn’t participated in Jump Rope for Heart since 2019. What made you decide to relaunch the program?
Our Student Representative Council (SRC) wanted an event that was fun, inclusive, and supported a great cause. Jump Rope for Heart ticked all the boxes. It teaches new skills, builds fitness, and fits easily into school life through lunchtime jump-offs, skills sessions, and class challenges. The program also encouraged teamwork, with classes working together towards fundraising goals.
Josie: You don’t need to have a lot of money to support it and it a fundraiser that helps people.
Eleanor: It is also promoted exercise and keeping a healthy heart.
2. Your school community showed amazing effort in fundraising both this year and last. How did you get your school community behind the program?
We are fortunate to have some very supportive parents and the ability to use social media, which makes a big difference in spreading the word. Immersing students in the program at school, through sport, fitness, and lunchtime activities really boosted their engagement. Linking the cause to children’s health and heart issues also made it more meaningful. Class assemblies showcasing the skills students had learnt kept excitement high.
Tamara: Reporting information back to our classes after meetings and if you donate, we can do this together.
Eleanor: Handing out the pamphlets and keychains has encouraged people to join. This made it really easy to sign up.
Josie: We made a video explaining how far we have come so far and how people can still help.
3. What is the most useful resource on the teacher portal, and how has it helped you?
The inclusive lesson ideas and skipping videos have been especially helpful. They provided structured, engaging content that was easy to implement across different year levels.
4. What are your top tips for other teachers considering signing up for Jump Rope for Heart?
It’s extremely easy to get behind, especially with the support provided. Caity and the Jump Rope team make the process very straightforward. The online videos and resources are excellent. Involving students in the organisation, through SRC or student leaders makes it even more successful by becoming part of weekly activities.
5. Why do you think other schools should join Jump Rope for Heart?
- It supports a cause that can impact everyone.
- The program is simple to run with strong support.
- It helps students build positive attitudes towards exercise.
- Seeing the smiles on student faces as they master their very first single skip or first skill like the pretzel.
Frances: Lots of people have heart conditions so it takes a lot of money to help.
Josie: It saves lives.
Eleanor: It is a good cause, and it is helping out people that may not have the money to help themselves out.
Tamara: Lots of people know someone who has or will be affected by a heart problem.
6. If your students were to describe the program in 2–3 words, what would they say?
Fun, inclusive, challenging
Frances: helpful, fun, easy
Tamara: a good cause
Eleanor: doing good things
Josie: saving Aussie hearts
Maddie: happy, challenging, helping
Waruna: active, healthy, happy
Archy: healthy, happy hearts
7. What are your 3 top tips for running a successful Jump Off Day celebration at your school?
Fun, inclusive, challenging
- Build excitement with a strong lead-up, including lunchtime activities.
- Provide variety so all students can participate and show off their skills.
- Make it fun - celebrate both effort and achievement to ensure students feel included. It’s not always about raising the most - it’s about the effort and consistency, contributing to a school goal.
8. Do you have any other comments or feedback you would like to share?
The weekly updates from Heart Foundation Field Officers are extremely useful. Thank you for shining a spotlight on our school. We are fortunate to have some very actives parents, students and support from the wider community.
Josie: Thank for you for running such a fun fundraiser, what you are doing is incredible.
Your school can join the fun!
Join thousands of schools across Australia in a program that gets kids active, builds healthy habits, and raises funds for life-saving heart research.
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