Swim and Survive at Larrakeyah Primary School
It’s Term 4, the build-up is well and truly here, and that means it’s time to get in the pool. Throughout the term, students from Transition to Year 6 will visit the pool at the Larrakeyah Defence Base and participate in the swimming program run by the Royal Life Saving Society.
Part of our Outdoor Education program
Enjoying, and cooling off, in the water is a big part of the Territory lifestyle and developing swimming, water safety, and survival skills empower students to enjoy NT pools, lakes, beaches, and waterfalls safely and confidently.
The swimming program is an important part of our wider Outdoor Education program. In addition to developing physical skills, the Outdoor Education program seeks to offer students learning experiences that develop social and personal qualities such as proactive engagement, resourcefulness, independence, resilience, teamwork and respect for others.
“I like practicing the swimming strokes, I feel I am getting more confident...”
- Student
Students participate in 8 swimming lessons to achieve the outcomes set out in the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework. Each lesson is run by a qualified Royal Life Saving Society instructor.
Students are tested and assessed by instructors and swimming level certificates are issued and recorded, allowing students to progress to more advanced techniques and skills in following years.
The swimming program teaches age and ability appropriate water skills, including:
- Entries and Exit skills: teach children how to determine the safest entry and exit method for a range of aquatic environments
- Floating and Sculling skills: enable children to gain mobility in the aquatic environment. These are vital skills for developing swimming and survival skills.
- Movement and Swimming Strokes: develops efficient and effective stroke technique and the ability to adapt to suit the conditions of the environment. Fitness and endurance increases through the progression of levels.
- Survival and PFD Skills: includes the teaching of survival techniques and strategies for a range of emergency situations including the use of personal floatation devices
- Underwater skills: these assist in building confidence in the water. Relaxation and good breath control are developed to increase swimming endurance.
- Rescue Skills: equip children with the required skills to perform a range of rescues depending on the emergency situation, the environment and prevailing conditions.
- Water Safety Knowledge: develops an understanding of a range of swimming and water safety issues that underpins safety in and around the water.
“The swimming program is an excellent way to encourage safety around water. Students learn lifelong skills about being safe around water, and where and when to swim safely. The instructors are great with the children and they all have a fun time in the pool.”
- Early Childhood Teacher
Our school is very fortunate to enjoy a strong relationship with the Larrakeyah Defence Base. Access to their pool facilities means we are able to keep the swimming program as affordable as possible.
40 years of Swim and Survive
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive program. Swim and Survive began in 1982 to provide a comprehensive program of swimming, water safety and survival skills.
Every year, more than 340,000 children participate in the program across Australia, and more than 15 million children have benefited over the past four decades.
Beyond the fitness and fun benefits, learning to swim and practice water safety is a key life skill. Since the introduction of the Swim and Survive program, drowning deaths in children aged 5 - 14 years has decreased by 61%
