Learn to Swim
National Recognition for All Saints' Learn to Swim
In August, Learn to Swim Coordinator Kim McMinn represented All Saints’ College at the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) National Conference on the Gold Coast.
The conference brought together aquatic professionals from across Australia to share ideas, explore emerging practices and celebrate excellence within the learn to swim industry. Kim was also invited to participate in an industry leaders panel, discussing swim school leadership, management and best practice alongside other aquatic professionals from across Australia.
The conference concluded with the ASSA Awards, where the All Saints’ College Learn to Swim Program received a Highly Commended Award for Overall Swim School Program.
The evening became even more memorable when our Teen and Adolescent Swimming Program was recognised with both the Western Australian and National Innovation Awards.
Introduced to provide an alternative pathway for older children and teenagers, the program recognises that not every young person develops confidence in the water at the same age or follows the same swimming journey. By providing an age-appropriate environment where swimmers can build confidence, develop their skills and reconnect with swimming alongside their peers, the program is helping more young people remain engaged in aquatic education.
Receiving both the state and national innovation awards is wonderful recognition of the program, but more importantly, it highlights the positive impact that creating the right swimming environment for each individual can have.
Aquatic Leadership Recognition
The College's growing contribution to the aquatic industry has also been recognised by Swim Australia, with Learn to Swim Coordinator Kim McMinn shortlisted for the 2026 Aquatic Leadership of the Year.
The recognition reflects not only the development taking place within the All Saints' Learn to Swim Program, but also the contribution being made beyond the College through professional development, industry collaboration and the sharing of ideas and practices with other aquatic professionals.
It continues what has been a significant year for the program, with All Saints' increasingly contributing to conversations around innovation, inclusion, staff development and the future of aquatic education. Earlier this year, this included presenting on inclusive swimming programs and participating in industry leadership discussions.
Meet Our Newest Swimmers
While we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved, we're equally excited about what comes next.
From Monday 12 October, All Saints' Learn to Swim will launch its new Preschool Swimming Program, designed specifically for children aged 3–5 years.
The program has been carefully developed to provide young swimmers with a fun, supportive and confidence-building introduction to independent swimming.
Children will progress through four preschool levels, each represented by one of our new aquatic friends: Arlo the Angelfish, Billy the Blue Tang, Chloe the Cuttlefish and Duke the Dragonet.
Each character represents a different stage of the preschool swimming journey. Arlo introduces children to discovering the water and transitioning from parent-supported swimming, Billy focuses on building confidence and independent floating, Chloe introduces new independent swimming skills, while Duke celebrates achievement as children begin developing early freestyle and backstroke skills.
The progression also incorporates important water safety skills alongside swimming development, helping children build strong foundations before progressing into the School Age Learn to Swim Program.
With classes capped at just four swimmers, our teachers can provide plenty of individual attention while allowing children to learn alongside their peers in a positive and encouraging environment.
Most importantly, the program isn't about rushing children through levels. It's about giving each child the skills, confidence and positive experiences that provide the foundation for a lifelong relationship with the water.
Small classes. Big confidence. Lifelong skills.
To celebrate the launch of our new Preschool Swimming Program, we're inviting our younger All Saints' community members to get creative and meet our new preschool friends through our Preschool Colouring Competition.
Choose your favourite preschool friend, add some colour and creativity, and enter the competition for your chance to win. Please email completed entries to learntoswim@allsaints.wa.edu.au or drop off to the swim school team at the aquatic centre any weekday afternoon. Competition closes on 31 October 2026.
A Pathway and a Place for Every Swimmer
The recognition received this year is something our entire Learn to Swim team can be proud of, but it also reinforces what we want the All Saints' Learn to Swim Program to continue becoming.
Over the past six months, the program has expanded the opportunities available to swimmers at different ages and stages. Our ongoing Learn to Swim model provides greater flexibility and smoother progression, while new programs are creating opportunities for preschoolers, teenagers and adults to find a swimming environment that meets their needs.
Whether someone is taking their first steps into the water as a preschooler, developing their skills through our School Age program, returning to swimming as a teenager or learning to swim as an adult, our aim is to provide a pathway and a place for every swimmer.
We look forward to welcoming our first Preschool swimmers to the pool in October and continuing to create new opportunities for our All Saints' community to develop confidence, swimming ability and lifelong water safety skills.