Schools

New Zealand schools have traditionally been recognised as the primary vehicle for our children learning to swim. Today the situation has changed with many schools, for numerous reasons, only offering an introduction to learn to swim for their students.

While Water Safety New Zealand surveys show that 95% of schools offer some form of aquatics programme (note: it is a Ministry of Education requirement that aquatics is incorporated into all schools Health and Physical Education curriculum). There is serious concern about the level of delivery and the associated outcomes.

Only 20% of schools with a learn to swim programme have an objective equal to the Swim For Life 200m goal for 12 year olds.
 

What this means is that students at the other 80% of schools will not reach this mark unless there is some sort of private tuition augmenting the schools efforts. While this will be the case among a proportion of students it is not so for the majority which directly contributes to the decline in swimming ability of our children. WSNZ understands the difficulties faced by most schools with regard funding, facilities, full curriculum’s etc. which all directly impact on the school and its ability to offer a quality learn to swim programme. While it is not within WSNZ capabilities to fund learn to swim programmes we are committed to ensuring that the school system remains an integral delivery channel for learn to swim.
	Kauriland Swim For Life Challenge
		Flash Player required to view this movie

Swim For Life has provided funding for approximately 2,000 primary school teachers to undergo professional development in learn to swim delivery. 95% of those who attended the professional development now state that their students are benefiting from the additional expertise and knowledge of swim teaching. A great start but there is still so much more that needs to be achieved.

Like To Know More?

Are you a Principal, school teacher or parent who would like to know more about Swim For Life or discuss your schools learn to swim programme, then contact us by completing the Order/Query Form.