On Tuesday 17 March the Year 8s attended Beach Ed, a fantastic programme run by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand - a full day surf safety course delivered at the beach by surf lifeguards.

Throughout the day, the girls, teachers and parents got to experience a range of fantastic learning experiences that reinforced the teaching that is happening in our Year 8 Physical Education programme - Sink or Swim. We were thrilled to get a tour of the newly re-built Spencer Park Surf Club and check out an IRB (inflatable rescue boat). Did you know that each IRB costs $25,000 to buy! Some of the other things that we did throughout the day were:
• Learning surf safety rules
• Identification of and how to escape a rip current
• Beach games - relating to a skill to stay safe on the
• How to set up a beach patrol - reinforces safety messages
• Water activities
• Sun smart 

Thank you so much to Mrs Sayer, Mr Ashworth and Mr Gearry for coming with us. We need to have a 1:5 ratio of adults to students in the water so the day would not have been possible without these wonderful parents.

Here are some of the comments/highlights from our Year 8 students:

One of my highlights was hanging out with Lily while in the water and riding and swimming under the waves! It was so funny when I didn’t wipe my eyes quick enough and a wave came and hit me in the face! Lily and I were in hysterics! (Emily C)

I really enjoyed jumping over waves and catching waves. I also really enjoyed Beach Ed’s Got Talent and the tour of the clubhouse. I really enjoyed the day. (Emma H)

I enjoyed learning about all the rips and going in the water at the end of the day. (Aneria S) 

I really enjoyed the tour of the clubhouse and how we learnt about the equipment and what it’s used for. (Maggie T)

I really, really loved the beach especially the water time and the Beach Ed’s Got Talent and it was so much fun when the parents and teachers joined in! (Zara G)