Waikato Trainee Teachers enjoy Kiwi Swim Safe Course

A group of third year trainee teachers from Te Wananga o Aotearoa Mangakotukutuku Campus in Hamilton have this month added aquatic education to their teaching skill sets.

The group of 10 were led through the Kiwi Swim Safe Personal Development workshop with Swimming New Zealand Education Advisor Wendy Smith.

The students are all working to complete He Korowai Ākonga (Bachelor of Education), a recognised teacher education programme that prepares the students to work as a kaiako in primary, middle or intermediate schools.

This unique qualification embraces Māori philosophies, principles and mātauranga Māori (knowledge), empowering the students to become a culturally responsive and reflective practitioner, who is able to work with a diverse range of learners.

With so many schools in the Waikato region still maintaining and fully utilising their pools, training for student teachers is imperative.

The Te Wananga recognise this and every year ensure that their students leave with more confidence and knowledge to teach swim and survive to their future pupils.

The two hour long pool session was a hit with them all as you can see from their smiling faces.