Working with Excellere College saw great improvements with the students beaming with confidence and extending their aquatic abilities by the end of the term.

Jana Barclay WaterSafe Instructor says “the year ones had a great introduction to the programme with a couple of kids already confident but most were very nervous to be in a pool that was over their heads. I could see their confidence grow each week as they became familiar with their surroundings and grew to trust me.  In the beginning six kids could put their head under the water for a few seconds and then at the end of five weeks they could al go under. One or two became more relaxed and were able to practice floating without life jackets.”

Jana goes onto explain other successes too “in the year two class, 11 of the 15 children could already submerge. Five students started the programme being with very little confidence and after just five lessons, with perseverance and determination they got through to the next level of confidence.  Three of the students could not submerge however with practice and patience they can now submerge, and four of them did great with their floating too. They started off being worried but once they learnt to relax and have fun they realised it was not too difficult to float at all!”

The year three and four class started off with 15 out of 26 being able to swim 5m, and at the end of 5 lessons, seven can swim 15m, five can swim 25m and two can swim 50m!  Meanwhile the year five and six class had a great time learning some survival skills by staying afloat while wearing clothes in the pool.  Most found it difficult to stay afloat for 1 minute.  However about seven children managed to stay afloat for two minutes. Out of 22 children most can swim 25m, five achieved the 100m swim and two achieved the 200m swim – way to go Excellere students!

The final delivery of the Northland Swim for Life Programme will be replaced with new and improved competencies in association with Water Safety New Zealand, named Water Skills for Life.  Schools, students and their whanau will continue to receive value from Sport Northlands team of instructors which is only possible with funding received from Top Energy, Water Safety New Zealand, Northland District Health Board and Oxford trust.