Be Remarkable

Learn to Swim and Water Safety Program

Nathan Janes Athletics Director

Rationale
As part of the Branksome Hall Asia Long Term Sport Program, we promote excellence in the delivery of all sport and best v best opportunity to play and compete in regional, national and international competitions at the appropriate age of development. Therefore, the Branksome Learn to Swim Program develops two themes. It includes a focus on swimming technique and water safety. The role of the swim educator, and a platform based on foundation principles is inevitably vital. It can give the opportunity for growth, innovation and swim development through the Branksome Swim Stages of Development. They are: Fun-damental and Foundation Stage of Learning Preparation Developmental Stage Learning to Training/ Play Training to Perform/ Compete

Throughout this document, each developmental stage will be graded through 12 set criterion the Branksome Learn to Swim Program. Long Term Sport Development is the key for Branksome Hall Asia.

The Learn to Swim Program

The student will experience a range of fundamental skills and swim related movements through the PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education Strands and Concepts, and the IB Learner Profile. The PYP PSPE Strands Identify An understanding of our own beliefs, values, attitudes, experiences and feelings and how they shape us; the impact of cultural influences; the recognition of strengths, limitations and challenges as well as the ability to cope successfully with situations of change and adversity; how the learners concept of self and feelings of self-worth affect his or her approach to learning and how he or she interacts with others. Active Living An understanding of the factors that contribute to developing and maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle; the importance of regular physical activity; the bodys response to exercise; the importance of developing basic motor skills; understanding and developing the bodys potential for movement and expression; the importance of nutrition; understanding the causes and possible prevention of ill health; the promotion of safety; rights and the

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responsibilities we have to ourselves and others to promote well-being; making informed choices and evaluating consequences, and taking action for healthy living now and in the future. Interactions An understanding of how an individual interacts with other people, other living things and the wider world; behaviors, rights and responsibilities of individuals in their relationships with others, communities, society and the world around them; the awareness and understanding of similarities and differences; an appreciation of the environment and an understanding of, and commitment to, humankinds responsibility as custodians of the Earth for future generations. IB PSPE Concepts Form Function Causation Change Connection Perspective Responsibility Reflection What is it like? How do it work? Why is it like it is? How is it changing? How is it connected to other things? What are the points of view? What is our responsibility? How do we know?

The swim program will encourage and enable the mature students to develop: an appreciation and understanding of the value of swimming and its relationship to a healthy, balanced lifestyle an interest in the promotion of health and wellness the motivation to participate fully in all aspects of swimming their optimal level of physical fitness effective communication strategies, verbal, non-verbal and written the skills and understanding necessary to participate successfully in a variety of physical activities, for example, learning, practicing, refining, adapting, thinking, interacting the ability to reflect critically on all aspects of swimming, including being a critical performer an understanding of international perspectives on swimming for life a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of physical activities as a participant.

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The objectives are to develop:

Use of Knowledge Swimming Composition Performance Social Skills and Personal Engagement

MYP Areas of Interactions

Approaches to Learning
How do I learn best? How do I know? How do I communicate my understanding?

Community and Service

How do we live in relation to each other? How can I contribute to the community? How can I help others?

Health and Social Education

How do I think and act? How am I changing? How can I look after others and myself?

Environments
What are our environments? What resources do we have or need? What are my responsibilities?

Human Ingenuity
Why and how do we create? What are the consequences? Each grade will have the opportunity to compete on a local, regional and national stage.

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Kindergarten JK and SK
The Fun-damental Stages of learning (early years of three to four) is a great time to explore the water and start to investigate swimming. Children are able to adapt very quickly once they realize emerging their face under water is fun. From this stage of development, confidence grows and so does the love for water. Branksome learn to swim program has been designed to cater for all ages. Kindergarten swim classes focus on basic water skills, water safety and enjoyment. We believe this is an essential aspect of a childs education in developing life long learning and remaining safe around our community. Kindergarten program details are as follows: Groupings: Duration: Days: Dependent on ability and confidence 30 mins TBC

All swimming lessons need to be fun. At the Kindergarten stage, incorporating a range of activities, such a picking up sinkers from the bottom of the pool or practicing key elements of diving, will retain our students interest. Kicking with and without a noodle and practicing blowing bubbles will continue to develop the beginning of swimming technique and the foundation of the learn to swim program.

Grade 1-6
Swimming technique starts to develop once children show the desire to learn. The Foundation/ Developmental Stage of learning, focuses on enhancing a sound technique of different strokes and swimming base for competition. Although lessons are more detailed, we still keep the activities fun and enjoyable with a focus on water safety. Grade 1-6 program details are as follows: Groupings: Dependent on technique ability, water safety knowledge and confidence Learning Focus: Each stage of development has been planned through a checklist criteria. Students and parents will have access to this on the Ultra net. They will be able to assess and track their development throughout their Branksome experience. The swim squad will also be selected from this group using the Branksome Talent ID Process. Duration: 30 mins Days: TBC 5

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Grades 7-12
The Learn to Train Stage of development focuses on enhancing technique of different strokes further and continues to grow the swimming base for competition. The lesson is more focused and requires the students to goal set, taking responsibility and ownership of the learning. Duration: Co-curricular Squad Training Time: All lessons 30 mins 45 - 60 mins

To be part of the Branksome swim squad, all students must participate in a series of assessments. This will take place during the first few weeks of the learn to swim program. The criteria will focus on a range of stroke techniques and fitness capabilities. This will be the main focus for Branksome Learn to Compete Stage of Development.

Grading Criteria
Our Aim for Beginner Swimmers
Learning how to blow bubbles? Are they risk-takers? Take instructions Are they principled? Learning to take turns Can they communicate? Are they carers? Confident putting eyes in the water Are they risk takers? Confident swimming under the water, picking up rings/ sinkers Can they draw on past knowledge? Float unaided Are they thinkers and inquirers? Confident floating on the back with and without support Are they reflective? Being able to float on their back Are they balance? Kick with and without a noodle on their front and back Are they open-minded? Kick with and without a kickboard on their front and back Are they knowledgeable? Basics of co-ordinated arm circles with a board on their front and back Are they thinkers? Basics of co-ordinated without a board on their front and back Are they inquirers? Basic understanding of three arm circles and breathing cycle with and without a board - Are they knowledgeable? Able to do a push dive from the step with and without support Are they risk-takers

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Our Aim for Developing Swimmers

Grade 1 2: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Confident in the water Kick un aided Co-ordinated arm circles with and without a board Breathing cycle with and with out a kick board Co-ordinated arm circles and breathing cycle with and without a kickboard 6. Can kick in a streamline on the front and back unaided 7. Aiming to swim 25 meters of backstroke and freestyle 8. Introduction to butterfly kick Grade 3 4: Once completed Grade 1-2 1. Able to swim 25 meters of freestyle and backstroke repetitively 2. Aiming to swim 50 meters of freestyle and backstroke 3. Introduction to butterfly and breastroke kick

Our Aim for Advanced Swimmers

Grade 5 6: Once completed Grade 3-4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Can swim 50 meters of freestyle and backstroke repetitively Can complete mini sets of a range of strokes Understanding the clock system Being able to perform butterfly kick with no arms Introduction to butterfly arms Being able to swim 15m of butterfly Introduction to breastroke kick and arms Being able to swim 50m breastroke Aiming to swim 100 meters Individual Medley i. (butterfly, back, breast, freestyle) 10. Introduction to squad swimming Grade 7 8: Once completed Grade 5-6 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Can complete mini sets, Understands how to read the clock system Able to swim 200 meters continually Can perform 100 meters Individual Medley Can swim 25 meters butterfly Aiming to swim 100 meters freestyle in 1 minute and 50 seconds Introduction to squad swimming

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Grade 9 -10: Once completed Grade 7-8 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Can complete 100 meters freestyle in under 1 minute and 50 seconds Able to swim 100 meters Individual Medley Able to complete mini sets of each stroke Has an understanding of each stroke Introduction to squad swimming

Grade 11 12: Once completed Grade 9-10 1. By the time the students are in Grade 11 12, they should have a good understanding of each stroke, 2. Can execute all strokes with the correct technique, 3. Option to join squad swimming All squad members will be assessed through the Branksome Talent Identification Process.

What to look for....

It is always a contention as to what to look for in an athlete. However, the well-trained observer should be looking for the key concepts and IB learner profiles in a student that may lead to swimming excellence at a later stage. These are: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective

Some of the key questions will be:

Speed

- Are they quick and take responsible risks? - Are they balanced and agile?

Personality Are they principled and try or do they give up easily?

- Are they inquirers and thinkers? Do they want to be involved even when they make mistakes? -Do they always try to do something positive and demonstrate a reflective attitude?

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-Do they encourage others using an open-mind and lead by example? - Do they help team-mates and show a caring nature or only swim for themselves?

Insight

- Do they recognize opportunities using a range of knowledge?

- Do they take risks and exploit the oppositions weakness? - Do they communicate effectively and are aware of the position of their team-mates? Do they recognize and use past knowledge to identify relevant technical cues?

- Do they demonstrate thinking strategies and seem to be in right place at the right time?

Technique - Do they possess knowledge and have good technique? Are they
reflective and demonstrate the appropriate attitude in the desire to strive to perfect technique? - Do they demonstrate balance and are they comfortable moving off the blocks effectively? - Can they control various sporting equipment with ease using both hands and feet? Are they open-minded? Are they inquirers and risk takers? Can they communicate and reflect effectively?

These are some of the questions the Branksome Faculty and Swim Coaches will be asking during our Learn to Swim Program.

Think - Concepts
Speed Personality Insight Technique

Branksome Hall Asia Swim Team

Branksome Hall Asia Swim Team once selected will compete in National and international competitions. To be apart of the swim team, skills, commitment, motivation, encouragement and potential talent needs to be shown. Students will be training to improve in time trials and competitions. Our squad members will represent the swim team at all times. Trials will be announced at the beginning of each school term on the ultra net and during the - learn to swim - program. There will be criteria of skills and technique that needs to be executed. Talent I.D. process for selection is as follows: 9

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Talent ID Selection Process

Step 1: Identify the Criteria Both faculty and swim coaches identify the criteria and recommend students identified as potential within their learn to swim class and the Co-curricular sessions

Step 2: Observe the Performance Faculty and swim coaches observe the students for any key competences: speed, personality, insight, technique the Characteristics and Highlight Performance

Step3: Identify Descriptors

Faculty and swim coaches highlight any key concepts identified in the performance. Share results with other swim coaches and faculty members

Step 4: Promote Further Learning and Make Recommendations Accept as part of the High Performance Swim Squad and give feedback to faculty, parents and students

Competitions
Competitions will be announced once the Branksome Swim Squad has be en selected. Opportunities include: Inter school events Local competitions National and International invitations

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10

The Water Safety Program

Being confident in the water is the most important lesson for any child. Therefore, water safety is an essential component off any swimming program. Teaching children to apply key knowledge and keep safe in the community must be priority. Recent studies suggest around 1.2 million people, globally, die by drowning every year - more than two victims per minute; sadly 50 percent of these are children. If you are confident in the pool, it is one step closer to being confident in the ocean. Even the most advanced swimmer can still find themselves in dangerous situations in water. The purpose of the Branksome Water Safety Program is to inform our parents and develop awareness surrounding the key risks when playing near water.

Focus
Each year group will focus on different water safety activities. The details are as follows: Duration: 30 minutes separated into 2 themes

15 minutes of a basic swimming lesson depending on the year group, the knowledge of strokes will vary 15 minutes water safety

Our Aim through the IB Learner Profiles

Picking up objects filled bottles from the bottom of the pool Are the risk-takers? Entering the water backwards using various techniques Can they use past knowledge? Entering the pool under various circumstances Are they thinkers? Kicking on your back with and without a life jacket Can they use past knowledge Being able to float on your back Are the balanced? How to keep warm in a group when immersed in water Are they communicators? Picking up heavy objects from the bottom of the pool Can they use past knowledge? Swimming under water through a hoop Are they risk takers and open-minded? Swimming through various obstacles Are they reflective? Treading water 11

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Are they principled? Skulling techniques Are they principled? All students will be assessed at throughout each term Are they reflective?

Branksome Hall Asia Aquatic Center Safety Rules

Children 6 and under must be supervised in the facility at all times Jumping in the pool without teachers authorization is not allowed Running, shoving, pushing and dangerous behavior is not allowed Glass containers are not permitted in the facility Food, glass bottles, chewing gum, and smoking are not allowed in the pool area Appropriate swimwear must be worn First Aid equipment is to be used only by staff only Swimmers are not allowed to sit on the lane ropes Starting blocks are to only be used if faculty or coaches are onsite of the pool area and has given authorization Using the pool is only allowed when faculty or coach is on site and has given authorization Swimming caps are compulsory Diving from the sides of the pool are not allowed unless approval is given from faculty or swim coaches No students are to enter the pool area unless faculty or swim coach is present Enter the pool safely at all times Spitting, blowing the nose or urinating in the pool is forbidden When there is 3 or more swimmers using the whole lane, swim in an anticlockwise motion Select a lane that best fits your pace and ability. Try to avoid collisions All tattoos must covered 12

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