First Rotorua Gateway student receives swim teacher qualification

Emily Paalvast is the first of 18 Gateway students in Rotorua to complete a Swimming New Zealand Assistant Swim Teacher Award.

The John Paul College student took part in the one day course in March this year and has now completed all of her post course requirements to be awarded the qualification and 20 level 3 NCEA credits.

Emily is currently teaching learn to swim with Orange Swim School in Rotorua and was impressed with the course and the skills she was able to learn from it.

“During the course the amount of group work really helped us understand key principles and come up with different ideas,” she said.

“The course helped with my teaching, with things like knowing what should be prioritised when teaching from the beginning, factors that influence children's learning and how each child is different.

“The lesson plans helped me find a structure within which I could teach, helping me with what to teach next.”

Emily is a keen swimmer herself, learning to swim at Rotorua Swimsation (now Rotorua Lakes Swim School) from the age of eight she went on to compete for Swim Rotorua and still swims several hours a week for enjoyment with United Aquatic Sports.

Gateway Coordinator at John Paul College Pat Casey said the success of Emily and the school’s other students on the course was a result of the support given by Swimming New Zealand Education Advisor Erin Fowler.

“The Assistant Swim Teacher Award is a fantastic initiative offered by Swimming New Zealand. Our students have benefited enormously through the programme and I'm extremely proud that one of our students, Emily Paalvast, is the first to successfully complete the programme,” he said.

John Paul College was one of four schools to take part in the Rotorua course with others including Rotorua Boys High, Rotorua Lakes High and Western Heights High.

If you would like more information on the courses offered by Swimming New Zealand or would like to enrol on a course visit the Swimming New Zealand website.