Northland students track towards swim teaching qualification

Students from four High Schools in Northland have recently had the opportunity to take their first steps in the aquatic education industry.

The students, from Kamo High School, Whangarei High School, Tauraro Area School and Bream Bay College, took part in the Swimming New Zealand Assistant Swim Teacher Award (SNZ ASTA) course as part of the Gateway programme.

The course, hosted by SNZ Education Advisor Alannah Jury, contained both theory and practical elements allowing the students to put into practice what they learnt in the classroom and could experience the basic progressions used to effectively teach learn to swim.

It is the first year that Swimming New Zealand has worked with Gateway students in Northland and Jury left impressed and excited to continue working with students in the region.

“They are a great group of students who enjoy the water and want to make a difference to young children in the water,” she said.

To complete the course requirements the students now need to provide 20 hours of swimming lessons at local swim schools. A majority of them will be working with SwimSmart and Tikipunga.

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