Guidelines for the Use Of West End Pool


WEST END SCHOOL GUIDELINES WHEN SWIMMING AT THE NICHOLS SWIM ACADEMY.The following guidelines are written to maximise the swimming time for students, and allow a safe and trouble free swimming programme for school pupils of West End School. GENERAL : As swimming is part of the New Zealand Curriculum then the swimming programme detailed in the trust document between the school and West End Aquatics  LTD  is part of the schools curriculum and therefore the same expectations and procedures implemented at the school also apply here. In particular this relates to respect for all people and delegated roles and responsibilities established by appropriate pool and  school management , discipline and reporting.  This must be always in good faith. SAFETY:In the event that the pool and building needs to be evacuated pool staff will :·         Teach children how to leave the pool and return to their teacher who assumes responsibility and, who will ensure all children are present. ·         Pool staff will direct children and teaching staff to the safest exit i.e. Main entrance or ‘Exit door ‘   situated at  the back of the pool.·         Once assembled classroom teachers will return to the classroom and inform the principal of such event·         Pool staff to advise school office by phoning 358 2465 if/ when swimming is to resume. HEALTH:·         If children are present then it must be assumed that they are healthy to swim unless clear evidence suggest otherwise. The decision on whether a child swims or not is a joint one and must be agreed to by classroom teacher and swimming pool management. If in dispute then this to be discussed between Pool management and the school leadership. Clear evidence must be available to justify the decision to the child, their parents and school. In general  If a medical certificate’s are provided then these must be accepted except where in the intervening timeframe the condition has clearly deteriorated and possess a heath risk. . ·         Classroom teachers to remind children before leaving school and on arrival to use toilet.·         Showers to be used only in exceptional and agreed circumstances. Parents need to communicate this need to the classroom teacher first who will then discuss with the  pool management on duty that day.   ENTRY TO AND EXITING OF THE POOL FACILITY : ·         Teachers to organise class to ensure that children arrive at pool via main entrance ready to enter water at timetabled time. Pool staff to ensure they are ready and prepared to assume the role of swimming coach at timetable times. ·         Teachers to enter attendance details at reception·         Teachers to supervise class movement around pool to ensure safe access to changing rooms and seated area.·         Teachers to check changing rooms at end of session for damage, clothing. Report damage to pool staff and to principal. ·         Teachers to organise children into swimming groups ready for pool staff to uplift.  WEA  to provide list of groupings to class teacher so this can be implemented. If any changes the list will be left by the attendance roll for pick on singing in. ·         Teachers to remain with class at all times.·         Teachers are able to be in the water to support children / and or learn more about how to teach swimming if they choose. However they must leave the water in time to manage the end of session routine or at any other time to manage individuals. ·         Teachers to remove children who become sick or if asked to by pool staff  anyone  causing concern – Concerns must relate to deliberate incidences  of an individual compromising pool safety including learning for themselves and / or others. ·          Teachers and children vacate facility via Exit door and close.   POOL SIDE :·         Children to walk at all times around pools especially when going to and leaving seating area. The direction when moving from the changing rooms is to ensure the easiest access back to the seated area and changing facilities. This may vary depending on other pool activities and storage of pool equipment.   ·         Classroom teacher to explain the need for this and teach the routine for entering the facility, changing rooms and going to and from seats. ROOM 9 CHILDREN :·         Room 9 Team leader or delegate will advise pool by 10.45 am  of children who are not swimming with their regular classes.·         Room 9 team leader or delegate will notify the pool at the beginning of terms 1& 4 which classroom each room 9 child is part of, who will have a Teacher Aide and any relevant notes including if they need change tables and hoist options. . ·         Change tables  and bar on hoist for special needs children to be in position or if not then on request to be installed.·         Green slings on change tables- School staff to advise each year how many required·         Pool staff to ensure Space around hoist and change table to be  kept clear·         TA’s will ensure slings are left on change tables and facilities are clean and tidy IN THE POOL :·         Approved swim wear to be worn at all times. Girls : 1 or 2 piece, Boys: Lined swim wear.. Rash suits are allowable To finish above knee, sleeve to finish above elbow. ·         Hair tied back off face ·         Googles provided by WEA and children are encouraged to have their own·         Children to enter when instructed to do so by pool staff·         Children to follow instructions of pool staff. Consideration given to those with special needs. School to advise at the beginning of term1 and 3 swimming of children with special needs other than room 9 children .·          If a  child is causing concern ( see ENTRY TO AND EXITING OF THE POOL FACILITY)  Pool staff must firstly tell child that their behaviour is not acceptable and why. A second incident will require pool staff to call for the teacher to remove the child concerned. ·         Any Health and Safety issues need to be recorded for Osh requirements. Pool staff to do this. OTHER :·         Teacher aides are employed by West End school and as such are subject to the terms and conditions of their collective agreement and school performance agreement. As such Teacher Aides take direction from the class teacher.   Any matters relating to additional staffing are to be referred directly to the school leadership for consideration.  These decisions are made in the best interests of the child concerned first and foremost.   ·         Pool staff will provide an electronic copy to the school office of the assessment certificates for the children’s portfolios by the end of the second to last week of the fourth term.·         In the event that the pool  management have any concerns in relation to  classroom / teacher then they must  first communicate these concerns  to the teacher. If the pool management are not happy with the response then they must communicate this to Trevor Nichols in his capacity as pool owner who will contact the principal or person acting in this  position to discuss the matter further. The same will apply to teachers when they  have a concern at the pool. They will communicate with pool management  or the person acting in this capacity. If teachers re not happy with the response they will discuss this with the principal or person acting in that role.  CONCLUSION : These guidelines will assist all concerned to understand and be aware of their roles and responsibilities and ensure children of West End school and the adults associated with the swimming programme to maximise this opportunity for the benefit of the children.