Swimming and Water Safety (SAWS) Program - please make sure you have completed the Aquatic Excursion consent form that was attached to the back of Validation forms at the start of the year.

Dear parents/carers,

As Tasmania is an island state surrounded by coast line, as well as inland waters and other aquatic environments, swimming and water safety are necessary life skills that add to our health, fitness and wellbeing.  Activities such as fishing, boating, water play, swimming, surfing, diving etc. require swimming and water safety skills. In acknowledgement of the importance that water safety and swimming capabilities play throughout our lives, the Department of Education mandates that all students learn to be safe and competent in water environments, as a component of the primary curriculum.  Every effort is made to ensure that each child is made to feel safe and relaxed during this program.

The Department of Education Swimming and Water Safety Program consists of 10 lessons over two weeks for each year group in years 3, 4 and 5. The dates for our school program are: Monday 3rd of June to Friday 14th of June.

Your child will need to bring along the following items every day throughout their program:

•​Swimming gear – including bathers and swimming cap

•​Towel and plastic bag for wet clothes

Goggles:  Students may use goggles, however they are not encouraged.  An aim of the program is that students become competent in their skills without the use of goggles.  Some components of the program, in particular the survival components will be assessed without goggles.  

Change Rooms: Parents are welcome to attend the program, however students are encouraged to be independent dressers and therefore parents are requested to not accompany their child in the change rooms.

Photos: Due to privacy issues photos must be restricted to individual pictures of your child.

Swimming Caps: For health and safety reasons, it is Department of Education policy for all students to wear swimming caps. These will be available free of charge for all Year 3-5 students through the school.

Jewellery: For safety reasons, ear studs and dangly earrings are not to be worn in the pool. 

We are looking forward to celebrating your child’s progress during this year’s swimming and water safety program.  If you have any questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact the school office.

Kind regards,

Chantel Barnes

Health and Physical Education Teacher