"Be sure to tell them that yo-yo's are halfway out and exercise is in!.'' That was the word from Dipak Patel's year five class at Heron Bay School this week as they discussed daily walks about the school field.

Mr. Patel, a PE teacher said he got the idea from his predecessor at East End Primary and started Heron Bay's programme last September.

The children circle the half a kilometre circumference field and get grub day privileges when they reach the 25 kilometre milestone.

"The whole school seems to come here by 8.20 a.m.,'' he said. "We aim for five laps about the field which is two-and-a-half kilometres. It really helps their math.'' Mr. Patel said educators were concerned with young people's health and encouraged them to be wise about what they eat.

"We do give them some time to get a snack and a drink after the walk,'' he said.

Mr. Patel: "We are finding that there are some children that are doing that when they did not eat breakfast before.'' Mr. Patel added: "We did look into how to insure the kids get something to eat first thing in the morning. The school encourages them to eat breakfast.'' Heron Bay has also found that minor disciplinary problems have virtually disappeared in the minutes before the first school bell.

"You know all the playing around has stopped,'' Mr. Patel said. "We haven't had one incident first thing in the morning since we started the Walking Club.'' He added: "Because they are doing something, they are occupied and are ready to start their day.'' Southampton's Chante Thompson, nine, said she enjoyed the morning walks but has found that she does not often get to talk to friends.

She claimed she did not know how many kilometres she had accumulated this term, but was sure she'll get a grub day.

Christopher O'Neil, nine, did not know how many kilometres he had but said he enjoyed the walks nonetheless.

"It was hard at first,'' he said. "But I try to get here for it in time. I live really far away.'' Christopher, who lives in Southampton, said he eats breakfast at home before leaving for school.

His classmate, Tiffany Trott, said she too enjoyed the walks, and on Wednesday had completed five laps.

Tiffany, nine, and from Warwick, added: "I walk and sometimes I run.

Sometimes I talk to my friends.''