From Year 7
Water you doing, Year 7?
The Year 7 Swimming Program began last week under a perfect stretch of weather. With most days in the high twenties and even a sizzling thirty degrees on Thursday, the timing could not have been better, and the students certainly made the most of it.
Over the next few weeks, the focus of the program will be on water and sun safety. Students are learning not just how to swim but how to be safe in and around the water. It is an essential life skill and, judging by the laughter echoing across the pool, also a very enjoyable one to learn.
Students have been grouped according to their experience, ranging from those who glide through the water like dolphins to those who are just starting to find their confidence. Instructors are working closely with small groups, and it has been wonderful to see everyone giving it a go. Some students were a little hesitant at first, but with the sunshine and the encouragement of friends, everyone eventually jumped in.
The swimming program is always one of the great parts of Term 4, and with three more weeks to go it will be exciting to see how far our Year 7s come by the end. It is a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience in a fun and supportive setting.
A quick reminder that staff will have sunscreen available for students, but please make sure that students bring a hat for the walk to and from the venue and reapply sunscreen when it is provided. The goal is to return from the pool with improved swimming skills, not a sunburn.
Some called it swimming lessons, others called it a chance to perfect their cannonballs. Either way, everyone’s improving!
Jordan Miller
Year 7 Leader
We visited North Melbourne Aquatic Centre and took part in a range of activities. These activities included: water safety, freestyle, backstroke, butterflies and breath stroke. Water safety takes up a big part of this excursion, we learnt how to save someone when drowning, safety pin drop, retrieving someone in danger and more. We were also challenged to tread water for 5m straight.
Xanthe Dalziel and Summer De Domenico 7G
Our hopes and vibes were high, entering the swimming pool for the first time feeling excited, scared, and cold. The lesson began with jumping into the pool for a couple laps to warm up before we began the lifesaving. In the life saving part of the lesson the student practiced saving each other in pairs, I was horrible at it, luckily with my teachers and friends’ guidance I quickly adapted and began to enjoy it. The lifesaving part of the program consisted of learning two main techniques. The first method of lifesaving consisted of grabbing a long metal pole and lying down on your stomach, while holding it out for your partner to grab, before safely pulling them ashore. The second method of lifesaving included throwing out a small bag filled with weights with a long rope attached for them to grab and be safely pulled back.
Sara Perez and Kiyomi Gota-Clearwater 7B