Canterbury school’s swim and survive mission

A school in Canterbury are on a mission to make sure their students are well equipped to be safer in, on and around the water.

After putting together a report on their students swimming abilities Merrin School noticed their students were struggling.

Now they have put together a plan to change their students and the wider community’s attitudes on learning to swim and water safety.

One of their first steps was inviting Swimming New Zealand Education Operations Manager Tracey Hickman to host an information evening at the school.

Merrin School’s principal, teachers and parents of students turned up for the evening where Tracey spoke about the Kiwi Swim Safe programme and highlighted ways to be safer in, on and around water at school, home and in the community.

In the coming weeks the school will take their students to attend lessons at a Quality Swim School and Tracey will work with the school’s teachers in personal development sessions as well as support them during the pool sessions.

Through the Kiwi Swim Safe programme Merrin School teachers will have access to support from Tracey as well as many tools and resources to help them teach water safety skills in the classroom.