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Applications for inclusion in the program, for the next financial year, arrive at school towards the end of Term 4 via InPrincipal. Current Application Form. Return the completed application form by the due date to the
School Sport Unit.
Fax No: (02) 9707 6999 or (02) 9707 6935
Post to: School Swimming Scheme
Locked Bag 1530
Bankstown NSW 2200
- Be aware that the programming is based upon the information provided. Schools are encouraged to provide as much information as possible in each of the sections on the form.
- Only include the number of students who meet the eligibility criteria and will be participating in the scheme.
- Application forms need to include all school contact information as well as the school code.
Student Eligibility
- The School Swimming Scheme is a learn to swim program developing water confidence and providing students with basic skills in water safety and survival. Students are eligible to attend until they are able to swim 25m in deep water, unaided, with confidence and style.
- The School Swimming Scheme is available to students in Years 2-6. Schools are encouraged to include older students who meet the above eligibility criteria.
- In special circumstances, P5 and P6 schools only are entitled to bring K-1 students to assist with transport and school relief management. These younger students require a lower student : teacher ratio so accurate assessment of anticipated attendance is essential. Please indicate the number of students in K-1 in the comment section.
- Students with special needs are also encouraged to participate. When applying for the SSS, schools are asked to indicate these students separately in the section provided.
- Primary aged students enrolled at schools for Specific Purposes who are working towards disengagement (ie no floatation aids and independence) in the water are eligible to attend. When these students attend the SSS it is important that the individual health plans be provided to the SSS staff. SSS instructors are not qualified to provide aquatic physiotherapy.
- Intensive English Centres are encouraged to participate in the SSS.
School Application Preferences
- As application forms go out to schools in late term 4 (well in advance of participating in the scheme during the next financial year), schools must consider their projected numbers of Year 2 students eligible to attend the scheme.
- By checking final assessment distances in last year's SSS roll books, schools can determine which Year 3 - 6 students are still eligible for inclusion in the scheme.
- Applying schools are asked to supply information relating to the:
- approximate number of students participating who meet the eligibility criteria.
Schools are asked to project how many students who meet the criteria will actually attend. A variety of reasons such as cost, or attending private lessons, may prevent some students from attending. Students with fears and / or inexperience should be a priority group.
- special needs of any participants
To assist the SSS to better meet the duty of care to students, schools are asked not to include integrated students with special needs in their numbers for section 1a of the application form. Integrated students and others with special needs should be indicated in section 1b to allow the program to meet smaller class sizes if possible.
- preferred venue for participation
Not all venues are suitable for all terms. Many indoor venues are programmed for the cooler times of the year to ensure that outdoor venues can operate in the warmer months.
- preferred terms of participation
Not all venues are available to the SSS all year round (eg. closed for carnivals / winter / peak summer period). Other venues have specific times of the day when they are unavailable to the SSS.
Many of the larger centres in metropolitan Sydney now specify when the SSS can use the facility. For example Sutherland Leisure Centre only allows the SSS in during Term 3 and Term 2, Prairiewood Leisure Centre only allows SSS in during Term 4 and the outdoor pool must be used.
For specific pool information please phone the SSS on 9707 6931.
- dates of unavailability
Schools should note all dates that have been booked on the school calendar (eg. excursions, camp, performances, carnivals etc) when the SSS application is submitted. If the preferred term is not available and dates of unavailability are not referred to in other terms, the school will be slotted into the program in any available spot.
Please ensure that dates in other terms are also provided. This information will assist the SSS in best meeting the school preferences. For example if the school lists Term 4 as the preference and the SSS has to put the school in Term 3 due to pool restraints, dates for term 3 must also be known.
- start and finish times of the school day
These times help when programming sessions 1 and 6 for pick up times concerning transport and travel time.
- coordinating teacher from the school.
Initial contact from the SSS will be made to the teacher whose name is listed on the application. Please notify the SSS if the coordinating teacher changes.
As much information as possible, should be included to allow the SSS to program for the students' needs. However, schools must be aware, while every effort is made to accommodate preferences, it may not always be possible.
School Notification and Acceptance (metropolitan schools only)
While every effort will be made to program the SSS around individual school preferences it will not always be possible. The SSS program is affected by pool availability and staffing availability.
A letter of notification will be sent to each school that will include a confirmation slip that must be returned to the SSS by the due date listed on the slip. If school confirmations are not received back by the SSS the allocation may be made available to other schools.
Due to the large number of schools in the SSS that withdrew from the program with little or no notice during the past season a cancellation fee will charged. The cancellation fee will be $330.00 per session.
The cancellation of sessions by schools costs the SSS in excess of $1,000.00 per session. Cancellations impact on the participation of other schools in addition to pools suffering a loss of income due to allocated pool space that could otherwise have been used.
Program Changes Implemented by the SSS (metropolitan schools only)
Over the course of the SSS season there are occasionally instances where the advertised program needs to be adjusted. In most instances these changes are coordinated well in advance of the scheduled program.
Changes are usually the result of pool bookings no longer being able to be met by the venue. Every effort will be made to secure a suitable alternative and school cooperation is greatly appreciated.
In these circumstances schools will not be charged a cancellation fee.
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