With a Learn to Swim program of over 3000 students we are always looking for ways to improve our program and the experience for students and families. Following a significant review of our Learn to Swim Program, we have made improvements in order to increase the learning outcomes and overall experience for infants, children, adults and families in the program.

This includes looking at what we teach, when we run classes and how our teachers can keep getting better. With a philosophy of continuous improvement, students will be regularly assessed and can progress through the program as soon as they are ready.

Our aim is to deliver a program that is progressive, well balanced and caters to the individual needs and learning styles of our students. We strive to develop well rounded swimmers who can participate in a lifetime of aquatic activities.

What are the key changes for term 1?

Phase 1 of our new program will be launched in term 1. The key changes are:

• Over 50 new classes added to the timetable.
• Moving Level 3 classes to the main pool at Collingwood Leisure Centre.
• Assessment requirements have changed to make progression more streamlined. Only key skills will be assessed in order for students to progress.
• Level 1 will be now be split into Level 1A and 1B
  - Level 1A: 1 instructor; 3 swimmers. For pre school aged children. No swimming experience.
  - Level 1B: 1 instructor; 4 swimmers. For school aged children. No swimming experience.
• The introduction of three Mini Squad levels to the program
  - Mini Squad 1
  - Mini Squad 2
  - Mini Squad 3 – This level replaces our current District Squad level.

What is the new Learn to Swim level structure?

• Babies - For children aged 6 months to 1.5 years.
• Toddler - For children aged 1.5 to 2.5 years. 
• Pre Schooler - For children aged 2.5 to 3.5 years.
• Level 1A - For pre school aged children. No swimming experience.
• Level 1B - For school aged children. No swimming experience.
• Level 2 to 6 - Assessment required.
• Mini Squads - Assessment required.

What does this mean for students?

The addition of the lower level and two upper levels mean that most students will actually be able to move up a level, as we have balanced and spread out skills of the lower and upper levels to focus on specific skill levels and strokes in each.

In the first stages of the changes, the Aquatic Services Officers and Swim Instructors will be working with students and parents to ensure that they are swimming in the correct level. We expect there to be some period of adjustment into the new program. These changes and moves will take place over time to ensure minimum disruption. Swim Instructors will continue to teach children based on their individual skill level in every level.

How will my child be assessed?

In order to improve progression through the program, there will be two types of skills:

1. Assessable skills - Key skills and strokes that students are actively learning, practicing and mastering, they will be assessed in order to progress to the next level.
2. Non Assessable skills - Skills that students are actively learning, practicing and maintaining and contribute to their overall swimming ability and stroke technique, they will not be assessed in order to progress to the next level.

Some of the skills from the existing program will directly transfer to the new program skills and the mastered “tick” will automatically roll over. Some skills have new assessment criteria and will need to be assessed with these new standards. There are also new skills which, while covered in the previous program, will now need to be assessed.

Introducing the ‘Learn to Swim Zone’ at Collingwood Leisure Centre

Being able to swim is a vital life skill and we recognise the value of a quality program that achieves just that – everyone learning to swim and be safe in and around the water.

To meet the needs of our growing program and help more students and families access the service, Collingwood Leisure Centre’s 25m pool and program pool will become a dedicated learn to swim zone between 3:30pm and 6:30pm on Monday to Friday during school terms. By accessing more lanes from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, we will be able to reduce lessons scheduled outside of these times. Over the course of the year we will be moving lessons currently scheduled after 6:30pm to new times within the Learn to Swim Zone.

Find out more about our 'Learn to Swim Zone' and lane allocation changes at Collingwood.