Kiwi Swim Safe Manual

Aquatic education is based on the combined development of physical skills, critical thinking and building experience to ensure safer participation in a range of aquatic environments. Learning is based on developing skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in line with personal developmental stages. The separation of water-based and dry land/classroom activities is ‘artificial’ therefore we have designed this programme to include both activities. The development of a holistic aquatic programme needs both of these complementary settings to maximise the opportunities for students to develop reflective thought and action. This programme has been designed in three sections: in the classroom, at the pool and at the beach. Aquatic education is not purely physical or just about thinking; students need to understand all elements of learning to swim, water safety, survival and beach safety skills to participate safely in a range of aquatic environments.

This teaching resource is designed to:

• Empower and support teachers to deliver ‘swim and survive’ education to ensure that New Zealand children receive the aquatic skills they need to be confident and safe in the water.

• Develop students’ water confidence, swimming ability, water safety, survival techniques and beach safety skills.

• Provide students with opportunities to practise and transfer their swimming, survival skills and beach safety skills into the natural environment.

• Create classroom units of work integrated across learning areas.

• Link to the New Zealand Curriculum (2007).

• Prepare students for education outside the classroom (EOTC) experiences at the pool or beach.

• Support the national State Kiwi Swim Safe achievement certificate.

• Establish an aquatic pathway that can lead to other aquatic sports such as competitive swimming, flipper ball, water polo, snorkelling, underwater hockey, surfing, surf lifesaving, kayaking, boating and diving.

Kiwi Swim Safe Manual