Decorative wayfinders encourage walking to Marmion Primary School
Your Move is a behaviour change program delivered by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI). It supports schools to reduce traffic and parking pressures while improving student wellbeing and building stronger communities.
Marmion Primary School has participated in the program since October 2021. What began as a small group of proactive parents forming a ‘Your Move’ champion team, supported by the school principal, has grown into a strong culture of active travel.
Parent champion Melanie is proud of the school’s progress. “Each year, we deliver three active transport events, annual bike skills sessions, and improvements to bike and scooter infrastructure. We have also introduced initiatives such as walking school buses and bike licences to encourage lasting behaviour change and support students to travel actively to and from school.”
“Our current focus is on strengthening this culture by making our neighbourhood more inviting and enjoyable to walk through. Students have always loved the chalk pavement artwork featured during our Walk to School events, which inspired the idea of creating permanent decorative wayfinders. The timing aligned perfectly with a Marmion Town Team initiative that was installing murals and garden beds around the school and Marmion shopping hub to create more people-friendly streets and help slow traffic.”
Through active transport initiatives, participating schools build their annual accreditation which unlocks grant funding opportunities. After achieving Gold accreditation, Marmion Primary School was eligible to apply for up to $3,500 through DTMI’s 2025–26 Connecting Schools Grant. Marmion Primary School successfully secured funding to install 10 decorative footpath wayfinders across the four main walking routes leading to the school in November 2025.
Melanie describes the steps involved to bring their dream idea to life. “The next stage involved working with local artist Susan Respinger to develop the design concepts. The wayfinders were designed to encourage movement and play along the journey to school, inviting students to run, sidestep, follow winding paths and engage with their surroundings. Susan created a range of imaginative concepts, including “Pop the Bubble” and “Follow the Bee Flight Path”.
“We welcomed the City of Joondalup’s Active Transport Officer to visit the school and provide advice on suitable locations for each wayfinder and to discuss council requirements, including the use of anti-slip paint on pedestrian infrastructure.”
“Finally, to help select the final designs, we held a workshop with our Year 6 Student Leaders. The students enjoyed being involved in the process, with one commenting that the designs would give her “a happy boost to start the day”.
The new wayfinders were officially launched at Marmion Primary School’s National Walk2School Day event, held on Friday 15 May 2026. Students joined neighbours and friends to explore the new installations, celebrating the occasion by wearing crazy socks.
A month on, the wayfinders have become a valued part of the daily journey to school. “It is wonderful to see students following the winding trails, do star jumps and navigate the maze as they make their way to class each morning.”
“Our school is grateful for the support of DTMI’s 'Your Move' program and the Connecting Schools Grant, which is vital to the delivery of these initiatives.
The City of Joondalup’s Active Transport Officer works with local schools to support participation in the 'Your Move' program, helping families choose walking or cycling instead of driving. Find out more about 'Your Move' here or contact the City’s Active Transport Officer on 9400 4000.