SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA
asctaINTERNATIONAL 2012 Conference By Julie Speechley ASCTA conducted its’ first asctaINTERNATIONAL Attendees travelled from Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Hong Kong Conference from 10 to 13 February Thailand, Singapore, Phillipines, China, Hong 2012. Laurie Lawrence was the keynote speaker Kong and the United Kingdom. They have who delivered some fabulous presentations on all been emailed some of the conference the Do the Five campaign, World Wide Swim presentations as well as a link to a section of School and Turning Good Teachers in Great the World Wide Swim School website. Teachers. Thanks should also go to Sharon and Tony Laurie certainly provided the Teachers in Asia Wrobel who worked in partnership with with knowledge and ideas to help reduce the ASCTA and did a lot of the “leg work” in Hong high drowning toll A special “thank you” to Kong. ASCTA would also like to thank the Laurie who worked tirelessly over the four days companies who helped sponsor the event – and was a wonderful ambassador for Australian Qantas, Langham Place Hotel, Rocket Science, swimming. Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club and the Australian Consulate- General. Other Presenters included John Konrads, Julia Ham, Ross Gage, David Speechley (Australia), Ensure early March 2013 is noted in your diary. Chew Tan, Alain Chan (Singapore), Andy Astflack The asctaOFFICE has already heard of quite a (Phillipines), Dr Violette Lin and Sharon Wrobel few Teachers and Coaches wanting to attend, so (Hong Kong). The feedback was wonderful so if you would like to travel overseas we are sure a huge “thank you” also goes to the Presenters, you will love the asctaINTERNATIONAL 2013 most of whom had to travel a long way to Hong Kong Teachers Conference. Following the present. success of the asctaINTERNATIONAL 2012 Hong Kong conference, an asctaINTERNATIONAL 2013 Phuket Coaches Conference is being planned for November 2013. 38 SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA e the
Laurie Lawrence 'Doing the Five' with a Learn to Swim Student
Laurie prepares some young students for a safe future in swimming SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA 39 Biomechanicsand Kickboards
By David Speechley Some of the teaching drills and A person will float, that is stay on or near The actual body’s displacement of water progressions that swimming and water the surface of the water, if the up force (buoyancy) has not changed but the safety Teachers and swimming Coaches is more than the down force. Salt water centre of gravity has moved closer to the use are folklore handed down from one which is heavier than fresh water due to centre of buoyancy and the result is that generation to the next without question. the dissolved salt (approx 6 kilograms per the legs and hips will rise closer to the I personally encourage all Teachers 100 litres) will enable a person to float surface of the water. and Coaches to regularly question what higher as the downward force remains they are doing and why; to review the unchanged (weight of the person) but When a kickboard is used, it aids in feedback they receive from their learners the upward force has increased. You buoyancy by greatly increasing water and swimmers and to measure the could speculate that a good teaching pool displacement, however the rules of latest trends and methods against sound should contain heavy water (i.e. have salt determining the angle of floatation still pedagogy and scientific principles. added). apply. The bigger the kick board the more it will aid in holding the swimmer As an example, if you were to apply an A common misnomer is to look at up, but at what angle in the water will the understanding of science of biomechanics the angle of the body in the water to swimmer be? This will depend on where to the way kickboards are used, many determine how “skilfully” someone is the board is positioned. The closer the of the drills and progressions currently floating. This is incorrect as the angle board is to the centre of gravity (i.e. the evidenced in some swim schools and of a person floating is not improved by further back it is placed) the more the squads would be discarded. that person being lighter or floating in body will become horizontal. heavier water. The angle is determined by the body finding a balance between We know that: Thus if a kick board is held by a beginner the centre of gravity and the centre of with the arms over the board and the • A person in water has a centre of buoyancy. The angle the body is floating head out of the water the legs are most buoyancy usually located somewhere at can be changed by simply moving the likely to sink. To compensate for this about the lower sternum area centre of gravity and/or the centre of the beginner may do a number of things • Buoyancy is an “up” force buoyancy. The nearer these two pivot which are now understandable. The points get to each other, the closer to a • A person in water has a centre of beginner may pull the board back and horizontal position the body will become. gravity usually located somewhere tuck it underneath their body which will around the hip area help raise the legs (they are moving the • Gravity is a downward force Try the following to prove it. Float on centre of buoyancy closer to the centre of you back with your hands by your side gravity) or alternately utilise a kick which and your legs straight out. Stay still for will lift the legs towards the surface. The When a person finds equilibrium in the 15 to 20 seconds and find the point of most efficient freestyle kick to do this is water, the buoyant force is determined by equilibrium. Then keeping the arms in commonly known as “bicycle kicking” the amount of water displaced. The more the water, move the arms up above the which is where the feet go round in cyclic water displaced the greater the buoyant head, bend the knees and draw the feet manner. If viewed from the side this looks force. downwards towards the floor of the pool. a bit like “climbing a ladder with the By doing this you are shifting the centre feet”. If kicking Breaststroke, the most Gravity is determined by the weight of the of gravity upwards by rearranging some efficient kick to raise sinking feet towards person. body weight. the surface is a scissor kick with one foot turned in.
40 SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA Biomechanics
Incorrect positioning of kickboards If science were used to create a rule for A more advanced learner would use a leads to the acquisition of a “survival use of kickboards I would suggest it looks smaller board held under the front of kick” and undesirable kicking pathways, something like this. “The younger or less the body, whilst an 8 year old proficient not an efficient kick empathetic to a experienced the swimmer the larger the swimmer would be on an average sized swimmer. size of the board and the closer to the board with the board held out in front. As swimmer’s centre of gravity it should be proficiency improved the size of the board held.” In application this would mean can decrease even further. Remember also Sure, in advanced swimmers where a young 3 year old trying kicking for the a proficient freestyle kicker may be less some strengthening and conditioning is first time would be on a body board with proficient at breaststroke kicking so an desired, a kick board may be placed in just the legs and hips hanging of the back adjustment for how the kick board is held this previously described position. of the board. may need to be made depending on the stroke prescribed.
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41 SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA Swimming and water safety A School Teacher’s Perspective.
The number of drowning deaths in Australia is regarded by governing bodies as far too many, hence it is proposed that teachers within primary schools be utilised more efficiently in the education process.
One strategy offering opportunities to gain A considerable amount of work has been Introduction swimming and water safety discipline attributed to educating the public about knowledge and subsequently qualifications, swimming and water safety awareness Data gathered indicates that Australian are Australian Swimming Coaches and in a commitment to reducing drowning drowning fatalities for not only children, Teachers Association - Swim Australia fatalities. It is acknowledged that the best but people of all ages are at a plateau, if Teacher (SAT) and Austswim – teacher of time to prepare children for safe aquatic not slightly increasing. It is alarming that swimming and water safety. participation and provide the skills and figures are not decreasing despite the knowledge needed to have a lifelong safe many well developed swimming and water association with water is during childhood. safety education programs available. From Swimming and water the perspective of a school teacher it is safety: the plateau Hence, primary schools and in particular proposed that implementation of swimming primary school teachers play a vital role in and water safety into the school curriculum, The Royal Life Saving Society Australia providing access to all children. will enable all children to become aware, (RLSSA) National Drowning Report and successfully decrease drowning indicates that 314 people drowned in fatalities in the short and long term. Australian waterways between 1 July 2009 Swimming and water and 30 June 2010, and 315 people drowned safety resources School teachers’ have acquired pedagogical between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011. knowledge and experience. It is argued The 2011 report includes fatalities from the Successful water safety programs that by supplementing their pedagogical Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian implemented within Australian strengths with swimming content and water floods which could be regarded as an communities which are available to primary safety knowledge, teacher confidence will anomaly and therefore will not be referred school teachers include: result and the likelihood of deep curriculum to for the purpose of this article. The 2010 implementation in schools will dramatically report had for the second year in a row • Laurie Lawrence's Kids Alive Do The increase. increased; 4% since the previous year and Five 12% on the five year average. 56 drowning • Royal Life Saving’s Society Australia deaths were children aged 0-17 years. 33 of (RLSSA) Keep Watch program these fatalities were under 5 years of age, • Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) increasing 7% on the 5 year average of 31. Surf’s Up
42 SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA Dr. Timothy Lynch, Monash University, Faculty of Education
• Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Laurie Lawrence's Kids Alive Do The Five To date it is estimated that nearly 10 million Telstra Beach to Bush water safety program began in 1988 to Australians have participated in the Royal reduce preschool drowning. ‘Drowning is Life Saving Society's Swim and Survive Programs associated with courses and the greatest cause of accidental death in Program and ‘during this time there has qualifications for teaching Swimming and the under five age group in Australia. Every been a 75% reduction in drowning in water safety also available for primary year, one child drowns each week.’ The the 5-14 year age group’, the program’s school teacher professional development five program points comprise an easy to targeted age group. include: remember jingle, for when children under five are around water: Fence the pool, Shut Swim Australia (Australian Swimming • Australian Swimming Coaches and the gate, Teach your kids to swim - it's Coaches and Teachers Association) was Teachers Association (ASCTA) Swim great, Supervise - watch your mate and TM ‘launched in 1997 by the Federal Minister Australia Teacher Learn how to resuscitate. for Sport and Recreation to assist develop • Royal Life Saving’s Society Australia the Learn to Swim program in Australia to (RLSSA) Swim and Survive Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has two its full potential. ASCTA is a not for profit, • Austswim training of teachers of school educational programs; Telstra membership based organisation that strives swimming and water safety Beach to Bush was the largest educational to achieve the World’s best swimming initiative ever undertaken by Surf Life and water safety Teachers and highest Saving after research indicated that half performing swimming Coaches’. RLSSA Keep Watch programme has the people rescued at the beach lived more been operating for over 15 years and was than 50 kilometres from the beach. ASCTA is Australia’s peak professional designed for the water safety of children in swimming body and courses are recognised the earlier years. The program’s aim is to The resource ‘Surf’s Up’ was released in by the International Federation of Swim prevent drowning deaths of children under 2007 containing a range of cross-curricular Teachers Association (IFTSTA). Swim 5 years of age in all aquatic locations. The activities for teachers to implement in the Australia’s aim is for all Australians locations with specific hazards include the classroom. learning to swim and gaining water safety Keep Watch @ Public Pools, Keep Watch @ knowledge through safe, enjoyable and The Farm and Keep Watch @ Bath Time. quality swimming lessons. The RLSSA Swim and Survive program
was launched in 1982. The demand for the
Over the past seven years the number of program was such that there were one drowning deaths for children under 5 years million awards achieved in the first two has decreased only slightly. years.
SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA 43 ASCTA is an Australian Registered Training • Improving pool fencing legislation and One strategy for enabling teachers to gain Organisation (RTO) offering 35 units of ensuring pool fences are checked qualifications in swimming and water safety competency, delivered in all states and regularly. is the Get Active Queensland Accreditation territories. Swim Australia Teacher courses • Ensuring appropriate levels of funding Program (GAQAP) ASCTA Swimming include: for comprehensive integrated public Teaching and Water Safety Course. awareness and education programs GAQAP provides teachers, school sport - Swim Australia Teacher (SAT) directed such as the Royal Life Saving Keep volunteers, tertiary and senior secondary at 4-12 years, Watch program. school students throughout Queensland with free training that can ultimately lead - Swim Australia Teacher of Babies and • Ensuring quality instructors in to recognised accreditation in coaching, Toddlers (SAT B & T) directed at 0-4 resuscitation and swimming and water officiating and sports first aid. years, safety programs. - Swim Australia Teacher of Competitive • Educating those who have contact with Swimming (SAT CS) directed at 7-12 parents and carers of young children. Another long term strategy is to incorporate swimming qualifications years, • Continuing and increasing research into initial teacher education. During the - Swim Australia Teacher Adolescents into the causes and prevention of study conducted by Peden, Franklin and and Adults (SAT AA) directed at 14 and drowning. Larsen, several respondents stated that above, qualified graduates holding water safety - Swim Australia Teacher Learners with It can be argued that if the individual school qualifications would be highly regarded. Disability (SAT LWD) teacher participated in research into the - Swim Australia Teacher Culturally and causes and prevention of drowning, then Victoria Institute of Teachers (VIT) teacher Linguistically Diverse (SAT CALD). they could possibly contribute to all five registration require that PE (HPE) actions. Hence, school teachers are a graduates from initial teacher education valuable human resource who can assist programs in the primary school have a Austswim shares that it has a close in water safety public awareness and current first aid certificate and current philosophical and working relationship with swimming promotion. It is proposed that teacher of swimming and water safety Swim Australia, RLSSA and SLSA. teachers implementing swimming and qualification which includes ASCTA Swim
water safety with conviction into school Australia or Austswim. There is no reason Austswim programmes for teaching curriculum can enable all students to why this requirement be limited to HPE swimming and water safety can be aligned become aware, subsequently decreasing teachers in Victoria. Hence, it could be with the units of competency in the drowning fatalities. extended and opportunities promoted to all corresponding Swim Australia Teacher primary classroom teachers in Victoria and courses. Austswim is also an Australian Furthermore, in Australia children have other states and territories. Registered Training Organisation (RTO), traditionally received their swimming and offering 18 units of competency but not all water safety education during primary are delivered within Australian states and school. Within Australian education territories. Austswim courses include: curriculum, swimming and water safety is closely aligned with the Health and Conclusion - Austswim Teacher of Swimming and Physical Education key learning area which water safety consists of three strands; Health, Personal Proposing the benefits of teachers - Austswim Teacher of Infant and Preschool Development and Physical Activities. being educated in swimming and water Aquatics safety courses involves more than an - Austswim Teacher of Aquatics for People authoritarian decision to do so. It involves Teachers have pedagogy expertise; with a Disability the beginning of the curriculum change qualifications, knowledge and experience, process necessary for curriculum reform - Austswim Teacher Towards Competitive as it can be assumed that they achieve within Australian primary schools to Strokes the National Professional Standards of penetrate swimming and water safety - Austswim Teacher of Adults Teachers (Australian Institute for Teaching education to a level not yet achieved. and School Leadership, 2011) through four years initial teacher education and There are programs and policies within the professional experience. However, while Synergy: optimising Queensland education system and Victorian some teachers will have swimming and Primary School Teacher Institute of Teachers registration that have water safety qualifications, knowledge and involvement begun this necessary complex process. experience, research suggests that many This needs to continue in a sensitive and do not. Hence, it is recommended that by While all programmes appear to have been understanding manner. Furthermore, it teachers participating in swimming and successful in contributing to the promotion needs to spread to every jurisdiction and water safety courses (gaining qualifications) of water safety and swimming development system so that all Australian children have that they will be more knowledgeable the RLSSA 2010 National Drowning Report access to water safety education. and a research study by Peden, Franklin and confident to implement water safety and Larsen (2009) suggests that there is education into the curriculum. Also, it will still more education required. In the 2010 offer an opportunity for teachers to realise report RLSSA identify actions to address the pertinent role they play in this process. their concern that water safety education may be decreasing. Actions include:
44 SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA How Streamlined Are You? PART 2 -LOWER BODY
By Peter Wells
Following on from the article in The examiner then stands near the Clinical evidence suggests that a the Dec 2011 edition of Swimming knees of the athlete and rests the foot minimum of 1650 of plantar flexion is in Australia where we discussed of the leg being held to the athlete’s required to be a high level swimmer. the upper body components, in chest on their side, while not allowing Many of our elite level aquatic athletes this article we’ll consider the the athlete’s knee to fall outwards have 1800 or more of ankle / foot components of the lower body that plantar flexion!! (Remember = 1800 is a contribute to a good streamline Looking from the side, a ‘measurement horizontal line!) position. of the hanging leg is made. The angle measured is between the horizontal The lower body key components for line and the mid line of the femur (thigh Adequate core control a good streamline position include: bone). NB this is a measurement of the line of the thigh bone not the thigh muscle. This is a very contentious issue – Adequate hip extension flexibility especially regarding how to effectively Adequate ankle plantar flexion measure it! An important point to make flexibility Many years of clinical experience at this time is to remember that having suggest that the angle we are hoping Adequate core control core strength does not necessarily for is 00 or better – with better being mean you will have good core control. when the line of the thigh hangs down Strength is a vital component of control So, let’s examine their components LOWER than the horizontal line (by but they are actually quite different individually. 10-200). A measurement that is ABOVE entities. This is a topic that extends Adequate hip extension flexibility the horizontal line indicates excessive beyond the scope of this article but tightness in the front of the hip. suffice to say we need to have both adequate core strength AND control. Hip extension refers to the ability to position the leg behind the line of Adequate ankle plantar flexion the body. This is important because flexibility Again, specific flexibility, mobility and it allows the flow of water easily strengthening exercises for all of these across the pelvis and hip joints and Ankle plantar flexion refers to the areas can be given to improve your then down over the thighs. Any movement of pointing downwards of streamline position. As mentioned tightness in the front of the hip can the feet and toes. This has been shown in Part 1 of the article in the previous cause a very large increase in drag to be vital in decreasing the drag forces edition, if you discover any deficiency, forces exerted on the body, thus across the ankle during streamline it is advised to seek advice from your making it much harder to move and kicking actions. Plantar flexion sports physiotherapist or trained health through the water. A very quick and is measured with the athlete lying on professional to ensure an appropriate easy test for this flexibility is the their back on a table or bench with and safe program is made for you. Thomas test. their legs out straight. The athlete is instructed to point their toes down as For more information on this topic, How to do the Thomas test hard and as far as they can. be sure to look for the DVD entitled, ‘Strength and Conditioning’, produced by The athlete perches their tailbone The measurement taken is of an angle ASCTA and available online at the ASCTA on the very edge of a table / bench made between an imaginary line along website shop. / bed (with one knee drawn up the line of the fibula (thin bone is the towards their chest. Holding that outside part of the lower leg) and the Any questions or correspondence can knee to their chest, they are then 5th metatarsal (the long bone of the be directed to Peter Wells by email at assisted to lie back down on the foot which attaches to the little toe.) [email protected] or table. look for more related articles at www.rhpphysiotherapy.com.au. Queensland Blitz on Teacher training and participation activities!
By Wendy Ross Swimming Queensland is rolling out teacher training and participation initiatives throughout Queensland in 2012, with funding assistance from the Queensland Government and Swimming Australia. Teacher education and teacher professional development are crucial factors in enabling swim schools to cater for the special needs of children with disability. There is also currently a lack of information and support for learn to swim teachers on how to work with learners with disability and people from indigenous and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities.
Disability workshops water confidence, mobility, water safety, They will also assist in the delivery of the buoyancy and swimming familiarisation Swim Australia ™ Teacher of Culturally in a controlled and safe fun environment. and Linguistically Diverse Communities Swimming Queensland will conduct The Fun Days will also assist with the course, which will be released later this workshops for learn to swim teachers education of school teachers and learn year. at Bundaberg, Mackay, Warwick, Mt to swim teachers, provide them with Isa, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville, information and support regarding Cairns, Emerald and the Sunshine Coast Make A Splash sessions will be conducted swimmers with disability, help to on teaching swimmers with disability. at Toowoomba, Mt Isa, Gold Coast, eradicate the "Disability" focus on aquatic The workshops will comprise water Brisbane, Murgon, Weipa and Roma. skills, and provide practical examples to components necessary for the Swim implement in swim programs. Australia™ Teacher of Learners with At the time of print of this magazine, dates Disability course and information needed and venues will be available shortly on to create and access pathways for The Fun Days will be held in Mackay, these websites: children with disability. Warwick, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Roma and Emerald. ASCTA The workshops will be free and www.ascta.com will provide teachers with valuable Make A Splash skill professional development on learners sessions Swimming Queensland with disability. Eligible teachers will www.qld.swimming.org.au have the opportunity to continue their Make A Splash water activity skill education with the Swim Australia™ sessions are another new Swimming Teacher of Learners with Disability CD Swim Australia Queensland initiative being implemented ROM theory component qualification at www.swimaustralia.org.au this year. a reduced cost due to funding subsidy by Swimming Queensland. Swimming Australia These sessions will provide instruction www.swimming.org.au and support to school teachers, learn Aquatic Participation to swim teachers and parents in special For more information on these initiatives Fun Days skills required to teach swimming to contact Wendy Ross Development indigenous and CALD children and adults Coordinator, Disability Manager Swimming Queensland will also conduct so that they benefit physically, socially Swimming Queensland. Aquatic Participation Fun Days to and emotionally. [email protected] ensure children with disability have the opportunity to enjoy fun water activities, Swimming Queensland Workshops ADVANCE DATES
Teacher Workshops 2012 Make a Splash 2012 Aquatic Participation Fun Days 2012
SAT LWD Swim AustraliaTM Water Activity Sessions for SAT LWD Swim AustraliaTM Teacher of Learners with Disability Indigenous, Culturally and Teacher of Learners with Disability Linguistically Diverse Communities Date Location Date Location Date Location Sunday 17th June Bundaberg Monday 6th August Mackay Wednesday 19th September Toowoomba Sunday 5th August Mackay Monday 13th August Beaudesert Thursday 27th September Murgon Sunday 12th August Beaudesert Friday 7th September Warwick Tuesday 2nd October Brisbane Saturday 8th September Warwick Saturday 15th September Brisbane Friday 12th October Mt Isa Saturday 22nd September Sunshine Coast Wednesday 17th October Gold Coast Thursday 18th October Gold Coast Saturday 30th September Gold Coast Tuesday 16th October Brisbane Thursday 15th November Weipa Saturday 13th October Mt Isa Monday 12th November Townsville Thursday 22nd November Roma Sunday 11th November Townsville Friday 16th November Mareeba Wednesday 28th November Brisbane By Wendy Ross Saturday 17th November Cairns Wednesday 21st November Roma Saturday 1st December Emerald Friday 30th November Emerald Sunday 8th December Brisbane
Registration information released in May via ASCTA and Swimming Queensland circulars. Investigating the complexities of Rips, currents teaching swimming and water safety within and snags Primary Schools
Dr. Timothy Lynch, Monash University, Faculty of Education
It is possible for swimming and water Jurisdictions, systems and schools will Peden, Franklin and Larsen (2009) safety to be skilfully connected to any be able to implement the Australian conducted a research study examining of the eight key learning curriculum Curriculum in ways that value teachers’ key water safety issues in primary areas (discipline subjects) by primary professional knowledge, reflect schools across Australia. One of the school teachers, and can be argued local contexts and take into account key issues identified was the lack of that teachers will have increased individual students’ family, cultural and qualified staff at primary schools who opportunity and autonomy to do this community backgrounds. Schools and are both able and willing to undertake with the development of a National teachers determine pedagogical and instruction of aquatic activity. Another Curriculum Framework. While this other delivery considerations. finding was that teachers with no proposal seems simple on the surface, water safety qualifications were less there are underlying complexities that Teachers having the knowledge and confident in instructing or even getting may act as possible barriers. confidence to implement swimming in the water. A lack of school teacher and water safety into the curriculum is confidence and the negative impact this Introduction essential for as stated by the Australian has on implementation corresponds Water Safety Council, swimming and with findings from the research aquatic activity in Australia are part of conducted by Morgan and Bourke (2005) Swimming and water safety can be the social makeup of the country. ‘An investigation of pre-service and skilfully connected to any of the eight primary school teachers’ perspectives key learning areas (discipline subjects) For many schools this will involve of PE teacher confidence and PE teacher by primary school teachers. It can change for improvement, resulting in education’: be argued that teachers will have curriculum refor teacher’s beliefs increased opportunity and autonomy about the curriculum that will therefore Several Australian studies have to do this with the development of a enable penetration of swimming and described the lack of qualifications National Curriculum Framework. This water safety to a deeper level. Hence, of classroom teachers to deliver framework will be replacing a more proposed water safety reform involves PE programs, largely as a result of detailed, prescriptive jurisdiction teachers valuing their influence on inadequate teacher training, thus failing syllabus. This is acknowledged by the children and believing the difference to develop teacher confidence. Australian Curriculum and Reporting they can make in reducing drowning Authority (ACARA, 2010): fatalities through implementing
swimming and water safety education.
Investigating the complexities of teaching swimming and water safety within Primary Schools
Furthermore, a research study Peden, Franklin & Larsen (2009) This is not to suggest that schools do conducted as a doctoral dissertation found that: Aquatic activity was not use outside agents for swimming ‘An evaluation of school responses to outsourced at 88.1% of primary schools instruction or diminish the expertise the introduction to the Queensland 1999 surveyed and were most commonly that swimming instructors encompass, Health and Physical Education (HPE) outsourced to commercial learn-to- however teacher involvement could be syllabus and policy documents in three swim teachers (36.5%), followed by one possible strategy for educating all Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) Education Department appointed swim children and reinforcing knowledge, primary schools’ found that the degree teachers (21.2%), and teachers from skills and understanding. This may of implementation of the 1999 HPE the community (19.2%), all who were involve teachers being in the water if syllabus corresponded to the teacher’s required to hold approved water safety they are comfortable with this, or it may degree of HPE qualifications, knowledge qualifications. be involvement from the side of the and experience in the HPE learning pool, offering feedback, acknowledging area (Lynch, 2005). Therefore, it can be children’s efforts and improvements. Outsourcing aquatic activity has argued that an increase in ‘Swimming It also involves external instructors overcome many barriers to providing and water safety’ qualifications, and teachers collaboratively and water safety education in Australia. knowledge and experience amongst cooperatively promoting swimming and According to the Australian Water Safety school staff will result in delivery of water safety. Data gathered in a recent Council, restrictions have included more aquatic programs with confidence study carried out by Whipp, Hutton, legal liability concerns, time and cost and hence, school teachers can be Grove & Jackson (2011) found that constraints, increasing workloads, utilised consistently as a valuable teachers working collaboratively with staff/student ratios, difficulties coping resource to assist in water safety public external providers is associated with with varied skill levels, and a lack of awareness and swimming promotion. positive perceptions about the value of adequately qualified staff. While this the physical activity, enables teachers to appears to be working well, there is still develop confidence and is less stressful. Swimming and Water a concern that water safety education is Safety Practice in not sufficient. Primary Schools Teachers being permitted to not be involved in swimming and water safety Furthermore, it can be argued that when activities at pools can have detrimental using externally provided programs For many primary schools in Australia effects, rather than the enhanced implemented by external swim it is common practice to have qualified outcomes that they originally set out to instructors, some teachers will not be swim instructors from externally achieve. utilised during the students’ swimming provided programmes, usually and water safety lesson. associated with the municipal pool.
What messages are children Reaching all children Furthermore, research (Peden, Franklin being given through the ‘hidden or & Larsen, 2009) suggests that rural and unintentional curriculum’ when a isolated schools find it most difficult to teacher takes a seat at the pool and Another benefit of having teachers conduct aquatic activities. removes themselves from the learning qualified in swimming and water safety experience? It can also be argued that is that it will enable an equitable teachers removing themselves from education for all children in primary It can be argued that offering swimming lessons can be perceived as schools across Australia. This is the opportunities for all teachers to gain permission to distance themselves from purpose of the latest national reform. qualifications in swimming and water swimming and water safety education This is evident through the National safety can enable an equitable education altogether. Curriculum and explicitly within the for all students regardless of location or goals established at the Melbourne socio-economic status. Declaration on Educational Goals for It is suggested that schools be careful Young Australians (December, 2008): that they use sporting organizations, It is recognised that teachers have including Swimming Instructors as • Goal 1: increasing workloads which research extensions to curriculum provision suggests has formed a barrier for water and not as a replacement for it. Thus, Australian schooling safety education. However, teacher water safety education needs to be promotes equity and education and specifically swimming offered by the school teacher through excellence and water safety courses are paramount connections within other curriculum in building teacher awareness and activities and then swimming and water confidence. Real (deep) change involves safety lessons in the pool reinforce • Goal 2: transformation of people’s beliefs about these concepts in a ‘hands on’ physical their surroundings or in this situation, dimension. Research suggests the more All young Australians become: realisation of the impact role they have knowledgeable teachers are about -Successful learners in water safety education. Education swimming and water safety, the more -Confident and creative curriculum change expert Fullan (1982) confident they will be in adoptingF an suggests that transformations often involved role at the pool, and the more individuals result in conflict, loss and struggle likely water safety education will be -Active and informed which are fundamental to successful integrated into the school curriculum, in citizens change. and out of the classroom.
The proposal of school teachers developing teachers there also teacher stress and no doubt at times completing swimming and water safety is no denying that it may involve obstruction. courses is a sensitive issue, as people some teachers moving out of their have diverse and varying experiences comfort zone. One strategy offering However, the struggles and opposition in and around water. opportunities to gain swimming and are all necessary for swimming and water safety discipline knowledge water safety curriculum reform, This cannot be ignored and hence, and subsequently qualifications, empowered by teachers valuing and swimming and water safety teacher the Australian Swimming Coaches believing in the process and the vital education needs to be undertaken and Teachers Association - Swim role they assume. with a clear understanding that just AustraliaTM Teacher (SAT) accreditation as children should not be forced to program. swim, but rather given opportunities and encouraged to make the choice for themselves, so should the same The nature of teaching swimming inclusive principles apply to teachers. and water safety in Primary Schools involves a complex process of social However, having emphasised the socio- relationships between external critical principles of professionally swimming instructors and teachers, industry and education, and it involves
"Several Australian studies have described the lack of qualifications of classroom teachers to deliver PE programs" asctaCARES A big thank you must go to An ASCTA bag of goodies was All funds raised will go to the asctaNSW. At their State Titles the raffled at the asctaINTERNATIONAL asctaCARES beneficiaries – members raised $400 by hosting a Conference in Hong Kong. $170 was beyondblue, McGrath Foundation Board Short Friday. Coaches paid $5 raised with all proceeds going to the and Prostrate Cancer Foundation of if they were wearing their brightest Freedom Pool Project. A health and Australia.
board shorts and $10 if they were sports pool is being built for over Photograph courtesy of Noel Pascoe not. Apparently it brought lots of 500 kids with disabilities on the edge laughs from the Coaches and their of the desert in Rajasthan, India. Swimmers. Well done asctaNSW! Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/ The-Freedom-Pool-Project if you The asctaOFFICE held their would like more information on this Christmas Party at the Caloundra worthwhile cause, supported by Swim Turf Club Friday Night Races. Australia and asctaCARES. asctaOFFICE staff members were given $20 each to bet on the races. Be sure to visit the asctaSHOP Stand We are pleased to report that by the at the asctaCONVENTION 2012 and end of the evening, winnings of $110 purchase some raffle tickets to help was pooled and it was unanimously reach this year’s target. There will decided to donate this money to be daily draws for over $6,500 in asctaCARES. prizes up for grabs. Chris Munce doing the Five!
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. They are dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, families and the wider community. PCFA plays a vital role in the fight against prostate cancer and devotes all of its resources towards reducing the impact of prostate cancer on the community. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and the second greatest cause of cancer deaths in men. The latest data shows that in 2010 almost 20,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Tragically more than 3,300 men died as a direct cause of prostate cancer. Our goal is to: • Reduce the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, their families and the community • Represent the interests of all Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer. We work to raise awareness and attract widespread financial support for the work of the Foundation to: • Fund research into the causes, detection, diagnosis and improved treatment of prostate cancer asctaCARES Funds Raised • Provide information and support to those affected by prostate cancer • Raise community awareness of the incidence of prostate cancer, thereby encouraging earlier detection and more effective treatment of the disease.
ASCTA also proudly supports:
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