IPS School Swimming Program 2021

Being able to swim and understanding water safety is an essential skill for any child living in Australia. With such enviable weather and easy access to pools, rivers, lakes and some of the best beaches in the world, swimming can fill a significant part of our leisure time and is an excellent form of exercise.

Throughout this year, all children in the metro-Melbourne area have had to forgo their usual swimming instruction due to Covid restrictions.  Even for children who take regular lessons, having that time away from the pool will have a considerable impact in their familiarity with water and their strength in swimming.  With drowning accounting as being one of the most common causes of accidental death in children, having access to swimming instruction is more essential than ever before.

At IPS we recognise this need and have agreed to provide a full subsidy for all students to allow their participation in the 2021 Swimming Program.  The program will be held at Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre and will be open to all grades from Foundation through to grade 6. The Aquatic Centre intends to provide a certificate-based program and will run the sessions in smaller groups, which although will mean more swim staff and an increase in costs, it will also provide more time and attention given to each student participating in classes.  

The cost to families will be entry and lane hire. This will be approximately $35 per student.

While the level of subsidy IPS is offering for 2021 is significant, we believe it is an important investment in our children’s physical education and safety.  Remember, swimming is the only sport which can save your child's life, so the safety benefits alone make lessons worthwhile. 

The program will commence in Term 1 and students will be walked in their class groups down to the pool once a week for a six-week period.  Although exact start dates and details of the class groups to be scheduled each term have not been decided yet, that information will be provided in the new year.  All you will need to do is sign the necessary permission form in Compass and pack your child/rens bathers, towel and goggles on their nominated swimming day.

Please note that the full subsidy for all grades will only be in place for 2021 and a decision on the long-term commitments to the swim program will need to be discussed and decided by the incoming School Council.

If you have any further questions about the program, or if you have any interest on serving as part of the Working Group responsible for developing the 2022 swim program, please contact the Principal.

Kelly Toghill

School Council President