The updated Health and Physical Education curriculum for New Zealand’s primary and intermediated aged children makes it clear that schools have a clear role in helping introduce kids to the water and ensure that they have the basic knowledge and skills to be safe and enjoy the water throughout their life.
A scaled and comprehensive curriculum for children Years 1-10 replaces a single paragraph on aquatic ability stating our children simply needed to be provided with an ‘opportunity for aquatic experiences’.
Water Safety NZ’s Esther Hone describes the curriculum update as a significant evolution that will reduce drownings into the future.
“We are absolutely ecstatic that aquatic education will, once again, be prioritised in our schools. Far too many of our young people have had little or no exposure to the skills and knowledge that will help keep them safe in the water. This change signals a clear role for schools to help close this gap. More water smart children is a circuit breaker that will reduce drowning over time”.
Hone says attitudes and practice for school-based aquatic education has changed significantly over the past two decades.
“Many people aged over 35 in New Zealand will have memories of the school pool, fun at swimming sports, and being taught about water safety in school hours.
“In reality, these things have been becoming rarer over the past 20 years - except for families fortunate enough to be able to afford private swimming lessons. Many tens of thousands of NZ school children have no exposure to aquatic education at all.”
Water Safety NZ worked with Education Outdoors New Zealand, Physical Education NZ and Drowning Prevention Auckland to collectively contribute to the Ministry of Education’s curriculum development. The final released this month echoes the age-based competencies and phases of Water Skills for Life.
Water Safety NZ’s Gavin Walker says New Zealand is surrounded by water so it’s vital our educators are supported to have a stronger focus on aquatic life skills.
“Helping our young people engage safely in New Zealand’s natural environment is fundamental. The outdoors is a great place to teach kids. They learn about the value of working with others, the impact of their decisions and how manage risk. This means that they make better decisions in and around water.”
Schools will have a number of years to transition to the new approach.
“Being in the water is a great way to get kids active and extend their learning. Kaiako have a long history of teaching basic water safety and we know that there is great support available to our teachers through programmes like Water Skills for Life.”
Resources and advice free for use
Introduced in 2015, Water Skills for Life has resources and advice free for use for any school interested in getting ready for the curriculum change. In schools where teachers use Water Skills for Life we track student progress and provide guidance to help schools adjust teaching methods where needed, ensuring all children develop essential water survival skills.
Water Skills for Life provides a clear framework:
- Resources and teaching materials: We give schools a structured Water Skills for Life programme that outlines the skills, outcomes, and teaching approaches expected at each age and level.
- Collaboration and communication: We supply lesson plans, assessment tools, and supporting resources so instructors have everything they need to teach the skills safely and effectively.
- Monitoring outcomes: We maintain regular contact with swim schools to share updates, best practice, and advice, ensuring alignment with programme goals.
Learn more about Water Skills for Life: waterskills.org
Learn more: Health and Physical Education Curriculum
