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Disclaimer: The information contained in this memorandum is to the best of our knowledge and belief correct at the date of publication. However, no warranty or guarantee is or can be given by Independent Schools Queensland or any member of its staff, and no liability is or can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting from any person relying on or using the information contained in this memorandum.

Memorandum

2018/076

To: The Principal/Headmaster/Head of School

Attention: Principal/Headmaster/Deputy Principal

From: Executive Director

Subject: Water Safety and Learn to Swim Programs

Date: 7 November 2018

For school distribution to:

School Principal Deputy Principal Department Head(s) Bursar/Business Manager

Governing Body Secretary Chairperson Treasurer Members

You will be aware that earlier this year the Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Grace Grace, established a Ministerial Water Safety Roundtable to identify ways the Queensland Government could work with other agencies and organisations to improve water safety in the community.

The Roundtable met on several occasions during the year and considered the provision of swimming education and water safety programs in schools.

As a result, the Queensland Government has now released three documents –

• A statement of expectations in relation to water safety and learn to swim programs for all students;

• The Queensland water safety action statement which outlines a plan for every Queenslander to have the information and support they need to be safe in and around water; and

• A water safety action plan.

These documents are attached for your information and consideration.

Whilst the expectations statement specifically refers to all students in state schools, independent schools should consider the information in the context of their education programs and the provision of water safety and learn to swim activities for their students.

The statement of expectations provides links to an extensive range of resources and programs which can assist schools in the provision of water safety and learn to swim programs.

David Robertson Executive Director

Statement of expectations: Water safety and learn to swim programs

Queensland — the water safe state

All students will be provided with the opportunity to engage in appropriate water safety and learn to swim programs. The following expectations apply to all Queensland

state schools from Prep to Year 12.

Student experience

• Participation in water safety, learn to swim programs and all water-based activities should be a safe, positive and engaging experience for all students.

• Water safety, learn to swim programs and all water-based activities should meet all students’ needs in ways that are appropriate to their age, ability, maturity and context.

School planning

• Schools must consult with the school community on the nature of all school swimming programs and activities and decide whether programs will be facilitated by school-based staff or an external provider1.

• Schools must complete a risk assessment that complies with the requirements outlined in the Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment (CARA) guidelines for the specific aquatic environment (for example, swimming in pools or swimming in locations other than pools). Additional risks, hazards and control measures supplied by an external provider must be included with this risk assessment.

• All active supervisors with an instructional role must have the appropriate qualifications and/or units of competency2 as outlined in the CARA guideline.

• Schools must confirm the qualifications3 and the public liability insurance of any external providers of water safety and learn to swim programs.

• Water safety, learn to swim programs and all water-based activities should be differentiated to meet the needs of individual students. Programs for students with additional needs must be planned in collaboration with parents and carers.

Competency benchmarks for students

• Schools should use the evidence-based benchmarks in the National swimming and water safety framework, tailored to the local context.

• Schools should use the Queensland state schools Swimming and water safety education program to further assist in the implementation of water safety and learn to swim programs.

1An external provider includes any group (e.g. swim school) or individual (e.g. swimming instructor) engaged by a Queensland state school for the delivery of water safety and learn to swim programs.

2If school officers require updates to qualifications, units of competency and/or first-aid training, refer to the list of training providers on page 2.

3All qualifications must be attained through organisations aligned with the Australian Water Safety Council (see details on page 2). If unsure, contact the local regional office.

Before school-age School-agePrograms • Royal Life Saving Society – Australia

(RLSS) Swim & Survive Wonder (6–36 months)

• RLSS Swim & Survive Courage (3–5 years).

• RLSS Swim & Survive Active (5–14 years)

• Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Queensland Health Beach Safe Schools program (Prep–Year 12).

Training to become an instructor

• AUSTSWIM Teaching of Infant and Preschool Aquatics (6 months–4 years)

• Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA) Swim Australia teacher course for babies and toddlers.

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety (4 years–adult)

• Higher Level Skills Program: AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety skillset

• Get Active Queensland Accreditation Program delivered by ASCTA and ASCTA Swim Australia Teacher accreditation (SAT)

• Completion of the following nationally recognised units of competency through other providers:

– SISCCRO302A — Apply legal and ethical instructional skills

– SISCAQU008 — Instruct water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills

– SISCAQU009 — Instruct water safety and survival skills

– SISCAQU010 — Instruct swimming strokes

– SISCAQU002 — Perform basic water rescues

– HLTAID001 — Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Insurance requirements for instructors

• Departmental employees are covered by the department’s public liability insurance when conducting school approved activities.

• For non-departmental employees, schools need to ensure the swimming instructor or external provider holds at least $10 million public liability insurance.

OptionsPrograms • SLSQ Breaka Beach to Bush for primary students (Prep–Year 6) in rural and remote locations

• SLSQ On the same wave education presentations conducted at schools or practical programs at beach locations designed to engage with Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Training to become an instructor

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics — Access and Inclusion (provides the knowledge and information required to deliver inclusive programs regardless of age, disability, chronic condition or culturally and linguistically diverse background)

• ASCTA Swim Australia Teacher accreditation for learners with disability (SAT LWD) and culturally and linguistically diverse communities (SAT CALD)

First aid • SLSQ first aid training

• RLSSQ first aid training

• Australian Red Cross first aid courses and certificates

• St John Ambulance Australia first aid training

Information • Multilingual beach safety information

Evidence-based programs and training

Targeted programs, information and training

Refer to the following organisations aligned with the Australian Water Safety Council for further information, programs and support:

Royal Life Saving Society Queensland

Surf Life Saving Queensland

AUSTSWIM

Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association

Get Active Queensland Accreditation Program — delivered by Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association, and results in a Swim Australia Teacher accreditation for eligible participants.

In a state like Queensland, where water activities are part of our lifestyle, the safety of our children and families in and around the water is paramount. Water safety is a life skill which starts from the moment a child comes into contact with water through all stages to adult life. For this reason we need Queenslanders of all ages to get involved. We know that Queenslanders take the safety of their families seriously, and will do all that they can to ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to be safe in and around water.

Water safety action statement

Drowning is the leading preventable cause of death in the early childhood years (1–4 years)1

In 2016–17 not one child drowned in a pool that had a compliant pool fence with the gate latched2

In 2016–17 drowning was the second leading external (non-natural) cause of child deaths (0–17 years)1

All primary school students will be provided with the opportunity to engage in appropriate water safety and learn to swim programs.

1Queensland Family & Child Commission, 2018. Child death register key findings 2016–17: Child deaths in Queensland. Available at: https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/child-deaths-annual-report2016-17/All-child-deaths-factsheet-2016-17.pdf2https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/parents/child-drownings-factsheet.pdf

A plan to ensure every Queenslander has the information and support they need to be safe in and around water.

School-ageWe will:

• develop an evidence-based water safety and swimming education program

aligned to the Australian Curriculum

• provide schools with a statement of expectations to assist in planning for

water safety programs

• support state schools through increased Learn to Swim funding

for state schools with primary students.

Swimming is a life skill every child should have and every parent and guardian should insist upon.Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier and Minister for Trade

Queensland — the water safe state

We will work to align all programs, training and resources to the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework

Together, Queensland Government and their non-government partners are working to make Queensland a water safe state.

Before school-age

We will:

• communicate to parents and carers the importance of supervision around

water, particularly children aged 0–4 years

• support children aged 3–5 years to access high quality water

safety programs.

Broader community

We will:

• provide water safety messages in multiple languages to support our culturally and linguistically diverse

community

• provide access to water safety information for a variety of

aquatic environments.We all have a role to play in addressing this issue of water safety.The Honourable Grace Grace MP Minister for Education

Community group Department Action

Before school ageWe will:• communicate to parents and carers the

importance of supervision around water, particularly children aged 0–4 years

• support children aged 3–5 years to access high quality water safety programs.

Sport and Recreation Queensland, Department of Housing and Public Works

Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC)

Queensland Health

Provide access to water safety programs for low SES Queensland families with children aged between 3 and 5 years old.

Share QFCC Seconds count campaign and water safety messages for parents and carers.

Provide communication of water safety messages through appropriate campaigns.

School ageWe will:• develop an evidence-based water safety and

swimming education program aligned to the Australian Curriculum

• provide schools with a statement of expectations to assist in planning for water safety programs

• support state schools through increased Learn to Swim funding for state schools with primary students.

Department of Education Increase Learn to Swim funding.

Implement a swimming and water safety grant to enable schools to apply for additional funds to support their swimming and/or water safety program.

Develop a statement of expectations to assist schools to plan for water safety programs.

Develop an evidence-based water safety and swimming education program aligned to the Australian Curriculum and the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework.

Provide water safety information for a variety of aquatic environments (as outlined in the Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments available to state schools).

Broader community We will:• provide access to water safety messages in

multiple languages to support our culturally and linguistically diverse community

• provide access to water safety information for a variety of aquatic environments.

Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs

Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women

Promote water safety messages for culturally and linguistically diverse communities (provided in multiple languages).

Provide water safety training for foster and kinship carers of children and young people.

Water safety action plan

Queensland — the water safe state