Balcatta SHS year 7 students Ismail Abdulchi, Ritesh Dondyal, Vraj Panchal and swim teacher iSachi Morrow.
Camera IconBalcatta SHS year 7 students Ismail Abdulchi, Ritesh Dondyal, Vraj Panchal and swim teacher iSachi Morrow. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Balcatta SHS students learn water safety

Laura PondStirling Times

STUDENTS did more than dip their toes in an intensive swimming program at Balcatta Senior High School during their final semester last year.

Royal Life Saving Society WA ran a week-long program, funding two teachers to work with students who needed to improve their swimming ability.

Teacher Joanne Keep said 29 students from years 7 to 10 took part.

“Our school has a high multicultural student population and the recent publicity regarding drowning prompted the school to use the end of the year to empower and improve the swimming skills of our weak and non-swimmers in the basics of swimming and survival techniques,” she said.

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“These students have really quickly picked up the basics and have improved in leaps and bounds with their water confidence.

“Students have progressed really quickly from using a kick board through to freestyle, breast stroke and some students have even started to learn how to dive into the deep end of the pool.”

Ms Keep said the society was in discussions with the school to extend the training into the outdoor education program for year 11 and 12 students, enabling them to complete lifeguard and swim teacher qualifications.