Te Rapa Primary School Teachers relish the opportunity to upskill in the water

Te Rapa Primary School in Hamilton are making sure their students get the best water safety and learn to swim education possible.

To make sure this happens the first step for them has been making sure their teachers have the best knowledge and skills to deliver a quality learn to swim programme at the school.

Earlier in the year principal Vaughan Franklin organised for the school to close early at 2pm so Swimming New Zealand Education Advisor Wendy Smith could come in and train the entire staff.

“Our school has a proud aquatic record with students achieving above average as swimmers and in all water safety areas,” said Vaughan.

“All students have regular swimming over the summer and staff are trained Swimming New Zealand Kiwi Swim Safe tutors”.

Te Rapa Primary School in Hamilton has undergone many transformations since opening in 1906, including a complete move in 1997 to its current location on Ashurst Ave, Pukete.

In planning for the move Vaughan was determined that the new school would have a school swimming pool and in 2001 they opened their Aquatic Centre with a 25m, six lane, solar heated pool and an attached 8m x 6m learner pool.

The pool is open to the public over the summer and is also made available to neighbouring schools by prior arrangement as part of a Hamilton City Council partnership programme.

With the next swimming season fast approaching we advise schools to get in early to book Kiwi Swim Safe training for their staff.

To find out more about the Swimming New Zealand Kiwi Swim Safe programme contact your nearest Swimming New Zealand Education Advisor or visit our website here.

CAPTION: Pictured the teachers doing ringa, ringa, rosie as a water confidence game.