Parklands School's young river rats and water babies are coming along swimmingly, thanks to a significant grant from New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT).
The $22,638 funding boost is going towards specialist swimming lessons and pool safety equipment, including a teaching handrail, lane and safety ropes, and refurbishment of five shallow-water platforms.
Principal Andrea Smith says that water confidence is a vital skill for local children.
“Our tamariki live near rivers, the coast and other waterways, and many families swim, fish, and boat. Confidence and safety in and around water are vital life skills. Many can’t access private lessons, so school is their only opportunity to develop essential swimming and water-safety skills.”
Throughout early November, instructors from Richmond Aquatic Centre have been delivering lessons at the school for the first time. Most students will receive 10 lessons, taught in small groups with instructors working alongside them in the water.
“I like that kids at Parklands get a chance to learn how to swim at school,” Year 7 student JT Laban says. “I’m an OK swimmer, but I want to be stronger for the summer.”
“I’m not a strong swimmer, so I really need the lessons. I love our pool because we get to cool off in summer," Year 8 student Dasha De Guzman adds.
Teacher Jess Drummond says that having instructors in the water alongside students will help children develop confidence and skills more quickly.
“It’s hard to teach swimming from the side, and some children struggle to leave the edge without someone alongside them to help. The platforms have been made safer so children can no longer swim underneath them, and the new teaching bars will be great for practising skills such as kicking.”
NZCT general manager of grants, marketing and communications, Ben Hodges, says that the investment will help improve water safety in a region surrounded by popular swimming spots.
“Motueka is blessed with a wide range of accessible swimming spots, but that comes with risks a good learn-to-swim programme helps to reduce. The Parklands pool is a taonga that has taught generations of pupils water safety, me included."
About 90% of the net proceeds NZCT raises in Tasman is returned to the region, with the remaining 10% supporting causes of nationwide significance.
Through its partnership with Hotel Motueka's gaming lounge, NZCT has given more than $170,000 to causes in the Motueka district in the last four years, including $27,000 towards Motueka South School’s court resurfacing, a combined $18,000 towards new playground equipment at Saint Peter Chanel School, and $85,000 towards uniforms and equipment at Motueka High School
