Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool
Tai Tapu School is one of the few schools with a new pool.  We value having daily swimming lessons on-site during Term 1 and Term 4. 

Our new pool comprises a main pool with a depth of 1.2 meters at the shallow end and 1.8 meters at the deep end. The side junior pool is 0.7 meters deep over the entire pool. Measurements have been taken from the concrete surround to the bottom of the pool.

A lane rope will be installed in the pool to show visual separation between the main and junior pool areas. 

For the community's safety and protection, the facility gate is kept locked at all times. We ask that no one access the site without permission. 

We are fortunate to have a fully automated filtration system. The pool is also tested manually three times a day. The pool pump, filtration system and chemicals are stored safely in a locked room in the pool complex. Only authorised people can access this room.

Our professional company completes a check of our systems every two weeks to ensure the pool facility and filtration system are operating correctly. They also test and maintain the chemicals required to clean the pool. 

We are lucky to have new, clean changing rooms and an accessible toilet with a baby change table. Onsite, we have an up-to-date first aid kit and safety equipment - a reach poll, throw bag and a life tube. 

The school staff have developed extensive Operating Procedures to meet the abilities and skills of our learners.  

Staff go through regular professional development and review our health and safety procedures. 

All staff have current first-aid certificates.

Lessons

Aquatics Safety is an integral part of the curriculum. Aquatics Safety can be completed both in and outside the pool.

All lessons are taken directly from the Kiwi Swim Safe programme and are differentiated based on the student's experience and skill level.

Year 1-4 lessons have two staff present at all times. Year 5-8 lessons have one staff present at all times.

Year 1 - 4  - The teacher-student ratio is 1 teacher to 10 students or less in the pool. 

Year 5-8 -  The teacher-student ratio is 1 teacher to 15 students or less in the pool.

All teachers provide active supervision of students at all times. Active supervision means:

• Staff set up the environment so they can supervise children and always have access to them. 
• Staff scan, watch and count. 
• Staff listen, engage and redirect.
• Staff check for understanding of instructions. 

Health and Safety

Our school staff and Board are committed to a continuous improvement process to ensure we minimise/eliminate risks and injury to our students. This means that we regularly review health and safety procedures, our operating procedures, and the equipment and environment at school. If you wish to view the school's health and safety procedures, you can do so through the School Docs https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/ if you want to discuss the health and safety procedures around the pool, don't hesitate to get in touch with the senior leadership team directly. 

Important information for parents of swimmers:

1. Children can only swim if their parents have completed the information form sent home at the beginning of the swim season. This form must be completed yearly.
2. Children must follow all rules within the pool complex and pool.
3. There is no running, jumping or diving in the pool.
4. All students must bring named swimwear and towel in a named bag.
5. Googles must be plastic or rubber. They must also be named.
6. There are no pool toys allowed in the school pool. i.e. boggy boards, flippers, rubber rings etc.
7. All students must have sunscreen on before their lessons.
8. Long hair must be tied back.
9. If a student has had diarrhea or vomiting, the guidelines from the Ministry of Education state they can not swim for two weeks.
10. If a child has had flu-like symptoms, they cannot swim until the symptoms are gone.

If you have any questions, please ask your child's teacher or a senior leadership team member.

If you do not want your child to participate in swimming lessons at school, please inform your teacher in writing. 

Email is an excellent way to communicate this information. You can find your teacher's email on the school website. 

Tai Tapu School

Board of Trustees