Course will lead to swimming in schools

The sun is heating up and the beach is calling – but how confident are you and your family in the water?

To make swimming and water safety compulsory at all schools across the Cook Islands – the Cook Islands Aquatic Federation will be running a two-day course which is already full with 60 taking part.

The course, Swimming New Zealand’s first level of swim teaching qualifications, is targeted mainly at school teachers, especially physical education teachers, as well as parents, students and any interested athlete.

The course, which runs this Saturday and Sunday, will be directed by Mark Saunders and held at Aquarius Hotel in Nikao from 9am to 4pm.

The two-day programme will include pool and theory sessions and will cover how children learn, the progression of learning to swim, teaching skills and lesson plans.

Those that take part will receive a CD of notes and information and an attendance certificate.

On completion of 20 hours of lesson plans and appraisal participants are eligible for further qualification which can include an NZQA accreditation.

Cook Islands Aquatic Federation in conjunction with the Ministry Of Education have almost 50 teachers from all Rarotonga schools including one from Vaitau School in Aitutaki attending the course.

The course will provide a good foundation for the start of the ‘Swimming in Schools’ programme starting in term 2 with new entrants and years one and two students.

The programme also includes the Swimming New Zealand State Insurance schools programme where all children will get certificates, plus wrist bands.

For more information and to express interest in another course to be held later in the year – contact Romani Katoa of CIAF on 55547.