Swimming Program
Essex Heights Primary School
The swimming program is part of the Health and P.E. learning area in the Victorian Curriculum and a compulsory activity, as directed by the Department of Education, and all students are expected to attend.
Students participate in an intensive program of daily lessons at Huntingtower Sports and Aquatic Centre (HSAC) Swim School in Mount Waverley. Over the course of the program from Prep to Year 6, students will build lifelong knowledge and confidence for aquatic activities; swimming techniques and strokes, rescues and water safety, floating, and treading water will be covered, with the goal of working toward an assessment for the Victorian Water Safety Certificate.
The 2026 swimming program will run in Term 3 as follows:
- Prep: 7 consecutive sessions of 30 minutes duration - Tuesday 8 September to Wednesday 16 September (weeks 9 & 10)
- Year 1: 7 consecutive sessions of 30 minutes duration - Wednesday 26 August to Thursday 3 September (weeks 7 & 8)
- Year 2: 7 sessions of 30 minutes duration - Wednesday 12 August to Friday 21 August (weeks 5 & 6); no session on Wednesday 19 August (whole school Indonesian Day/Hari Indonesia).
- Year 3: 7 consecutive sessions of 45 minutes duration - Monday 3 August to Tuesday 11 August (weeks 4 & 5)
- Year 4: 7 consecutive sessions of 45 minutes duration - Thursday 23 July to Friday 31 July (weeks 2 & 3)
- Year 5 & Year 6: 7 consecutive sessions of 45 minutes duration - Tuesday 14 to Wednesday 22 July (weeks 1 & 2)
Program details for each year level will be published on Compass. Consent and payment are due on publication of the event notice and not later than the specified date; CSEF/credit balance can be applied.
There will be no refunds for lessons missed, as the costs are set.
Students must bring the following items to school every day in a separate bag for their swimming program:
- Bathers (must be worn to school under school uniform)
- Goggles
- Slip on shoes e.g. thongs or Crocs
- Towel (can also include an additional hand towel - see tip below)
- Underwear
- Swimming cap (can bring their own, but the school will provide a new cap for every student to use and keep).
Please make sure all items are named. This will help any lost property to be promptly returned.
Here are some additional recommended swimming program tips:
- Your child must be able to undress and dress independently. If your child is not confident with undressing and dressing themselves, please have them practise over the school holidays and in the days leading up to their swimming program. Developing independence is an important skill, and necessary for the program to run efficiently on arrival at the pool and for our return to school.
- Children must wear their bathers to school under their uniform on swimming program days, as the limited time at the pool on arrival only allows time for children to get out of their uniform ready for their lesson.
- Tie long hair back, preferably in plaits or braids.
- Pack extra healthy snacks as students can get extra hungry!
- Pack a plastic bag for wet clothes and towel.
- Including a small hand towel may be useful for children with long hair.
- Do not order lunch from the Canteen during the swimming program, as eating times vary.
- A swimming cap will be provided by the swim school.
- Parent volunteers are required for the Prep to Year 4 swimming programs only.
- Parents volunteers must:
- hold a current Working with Children Check and have presented it to the School Office;
- Signed the Child Safety Code of Conduct Acknowledgement at the School Office; and
- Completed the OH&S induction for volunteers at the School Office.
- Parents volunteering for the swimming program are required to assist all students not just their own child.
- If you are eligible to volunteer (have completed the three requirements above), interested and available parents should respond to the request for assistance issued by each year level. Approved parent volunteers will be confirmed by teachers prior to the start of the program.
- Approved parent volunteers should check with classroom teachers to confirm if they will catch the bus to and from school or drive and meet at the pool. Parent volunteers travelling by bus are required to sign in and sign out on the Compass Kiosk in Office reception.
- Approved parent volunteers are required to wear the provided Volunteer sticker issued by EHPS staff on arrival at HSAC.
- Parents of Prep to Year 2 students only are welcome to attend HSAC to watch their child's progress, but may not interact with their child at the pool and may not take photos or video. Parents of Years 3 to 6 students are not permitted to attend the swimming program at HSAC unless they are an approved parent volunteer.