Swimming and water education is critical for child safety

Did you know the Victorian Curriculum requires swimming and water safety programs to be taught as part of Health and Physical Education?

Despite this, many students have not had enough or have the necessary skills to be confident swimmers and familiar with water safety.

By the end of primary school (year 6), it is anticipated that all Victorian students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills identified in the Victorian Water Safety Certificate.

The Certificate is awarded when a student can:

• swim 50m continuously
• answer water safety-based questions
• perform simple rescues.

The Swimming and Water Safety education in schools initiative has been funded by the Victorian Government since 2018.

As part of the Victorian Government’s Positive Start in 2022 initiative, schools will receive an additional $16.3 million in funding for more swimming lessons for primary school students to be delivered throughout 2022.

This is in addition to the 2021-22 State Budget commitment to Swimming and Water Safety Education.

Additional funding is allocated based on the number of Grade 5 enrolments and will be combined with the 2022 Swimming in Schools funds provided through the Student Resource Package (SRP) as a Targeted Initiative. Schools can use the funding to support program provision at any year level.

The Victorian Education Department has developed guidance on developing a swimming and water safety program that meets the Victorian F-10 Health and Physical Education Curriculum, in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and Life Saving Victoria. Some of the resources used by Catholic Primary schools include:

• Victorian Curriculum F-10 Swimming and Water Safety 
• VCAA Sample Swimming and Water Safety Activities 
• Swimming and Water Safety Progression Model 
• VCAA Curriculum Planning Resources 
• FUSE: Swimming and Water Safety Resources 
• Life Saving Victoria Toolkit. 

FAQs – for parents and carers about your role and what to expect

School swimming outside of school hours vouchers program

Why are the vouchers being provided?

Swimming and water safety education is part of the F-10 Victorian Curriculum Health and Physical Education.

School Swimming Outside of School Hours Vouchers are being provided to current primary school students who had their school swimming and water safety programs cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and/or 2021 to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to participate in aquatic activities.

Who are the vouchers for?

The vouchers are for current primary school students who missed out on participating in school swimming and water safety programs because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 to build their skills and knowledge to achieve the Victorian Water Safety Certificate and meet the Victorian Curriculum requirements.

How can my child(ren) access swimming lessons using the voucher?

Parents and carers will receive a letter from their school which has a voucher and a request form.

If you would like your child(ren) to access swimming lessons using the vouchers, you will need to:

• complete the request form for your child(ren) and return it to your school by the date shown on the letter
• book swimming lessons at your local swim school for dates and times of your choosing after the date on the voucher
• Once confirmed with the swim school, take the voucher to the swim school for the first swimming lesson.

Swim schools in your local area

If you are unsure of swimming schools in your local area, your school will have a list for you to choose from.

If you are unsure how to approach a swimming school and what to ask them, perhaps you could ask a member of staff or another parent at your school to support you with making contact.

Here are some questions you may ask when making contact with the swim school:

• I have been provided with a swimming voucher for my child from my school and I would like to find out how I can book my child in for swimming lessons.

• Can you please tell me when the lessons are, how long they go for (time of lesson and how many lessons do they need) and what my child needs to wear and bring to lessons. 

• Ask what the rules are in relation to supervision of your child while they are having their swimming lessons, what to expect and who to meet with when you arrive so you know your child is in the correct class.

Are the vouchers transferrable?

Only current primary school students who missed out on school swimming and water safety programs in 2020 and/or 2021 will be eligible for the Voucher program and they are not transferrable for other students.

The swim school will have a list of the students who are eligible for the program and for whom the request form has been returned.

When will the swimming lessons be delivered?

Lessons will be delivered outside of school hours - after school, on the weekend or during school holidays.

For example, swim schools may offer students places in their regular learn to swim program or, alternatively, offer school holiday programs and parents and carers can book lessons for a time that best suits their needs.

How many lessons can my child(ren) access?

This will be different for each school in the program and will depend on several factors including:

• number of years of lessons
• number of lessons per year level
• cost per lesson
• availability of lessons outside of school hours.

Schools will be in touch with their usual swim school to confirm the number of swimming lessons students can access and when they can access them (e.g. after school, on the weekend or during school holidays).

Is there an expiry date for the vouchers?

Students should be booked into the Voucher program swimming lessons before 30 June 2022 and all lessons using the vouchers completed by the end of 2022.

Where can the voucher be used?

The voucher can only be used at the swim school named on the voucher for the purposes of the School Swimming Outside School Hours Voucher program.

What are parents and carers’ responsibilities?

Parents and carers will be responsible for getting their child(ren) to and from and the swim school as well as for visual supervision during their time at the swim centre.

What is meant by supervision at the swim school?

Parents and carers will be responsible for visual supervision of their child(ren), in line with the requirements of swim schools. Parents and carers should speak to the swim school if they need further information.

How much will this cost my family?

There is no cost to families who are eligible for the swimming lessons. The vouchers are being paid for by your school to support the delivery of the Victorian Curriculum requirements.

Is it compulsory to use the voucher?

You are being offered the opportunity for your child(ren) to have swimming lessons which have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it is not compulsory to use the voucher, it is important that all children learn how to be safe in and around water and be confident to participate in aquatic activities, therefore we encourage you to take up this offer to ensure your child learns all about water safety and builds their confidence as a stronger swimmer.

How do we get to the swim school if we don’t have a car?

Please ask the swim school about public transport options or visit https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey for more information.

Information for schools

Earlier this term LSV ran two webinars for CECV schools to explain how 2020-2022 Swimming in schools funding could be used to provide a robust swimming program in 2022 for students. The recordings of these webinars can now be accessed at: https://lsv.com.au/toolkit/pd_workshops_and_webinars_more.php#tab-3