Wairakei School Swimming

Wairakei school have been swimming with AC Baths, Taupo through the Contact Energy Swim Well project.

Staff at AC Baths have also been incorporating skills from the State Kiwi Swim Safe programme which is in line with their current teaching methods.

Students from years 4-6 attended an intensive block of swimming which included water safety components.

Principal Paula Farquahar spoke highly of the level of quality the Swim Academy delivers to her students. She spoke of the importance of having our tamariki educated when it comes to survival in, on, and around the water.

The team at AC baths dedicate the 2 week block to learn to swim skills and lifesaving survival skills which they incorporate into every lesson so children learn to float, to scull, and how to use survival skills as well as swimming skills.

The children also received a very special visit on poolside from Swimming New Zealand’s Koru the Kiwi. Koru is part of the State Kiwi Swim Safe programme and took great delight in watching the children swim, posing for hugs, and getting in some photos.

The progress the children make over the intensive lessons is huge. Children who initially struggle to relax in the water are floating comfortably by the end of the lessons, and are able to move themselves through the water.

AC Baths work with many of the schools in Taupo offering this fantastic opportunity. Students are assessed at the start of the lessons and put in to groups according to their ability to achieve the best possible outcome. The students progress is then recorded for future reference and the school also receives a copy of the progress.

Great work Wairakei School, we look forward to working with you in the future.