Nayland College students target swim teacher qualifications

Nelson’s Nayland College has been working with Swimming New Zealand to help some of their students achieve swim teacher qualifications.

The College has been assisting their students to take part in Swimming New Zealand (SNZ) courses for the past three years through the Gateway Programme.

Last year 16 students took part in the SNZ Assistant Swim Teacher Award course with numbers on the course this year boosting to 28.

The year 13 students complete both theory and practical activities on the one day course where they learn the basic progressions used to effectively teach learn to swim and are then required to complete 20 practical hours to receive the qualification.

To complete their 20 practical hours the students provide swimming lessons to local primary schools.

Students are also able to observe lessons at the ASB Aquatic Centre and the Riverside Pool to see how it is done in swim schools that provide high quality lessons with their qualified swim teachers able to assist with any questions.

Both of these facilities in turn become opportunities for future places of employment for the students who show promise in the aquatics sector.

Taking the students through the course was SNZ Education Advisor Sarah Gibbison who was really impressed with the school and the students.

“The school have an excellent careers department who work exceptionally hard to get their students placements in their chosen area of interest,” Gibbison said.

“Each year we have a great group of kids who enjoy the water and want to make a difference to young children in the water.”

On completion of the course requirements the students also gain 20 Level 3 NCEA credits.