Bidyadanga kids breaking records

Bidyadanga primary school students wrapped up a successful term of swimming lessons with a fun last session using the new pool inflatables.

92 children attended the Department of Education’s Interm Swimming program, which is an incredible number given the population of the remote community is just 750.

The program, which is part of a service agreement between Royal Life Saving WA and the Department of Education, ensures children in remote communities have access to learn to stay safe around the water.

The Bidyadanga pool is one of Royal Life Saving’s Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools and is managed by Bernie Egan, who has been with Royal Life Saving for over 11 years. Bernie also teaches the swimming lessons at the facility and enjoys seeing the progress made each season by her students.

Ensuring each new wave of children in the community has the swimming and water safety skills to safely enjoy the pool and its community benefits is an essential part of Bernie’s work.

38 students attended more than 70 per cent of their swim lessons in Term 4 and were awarded a certificate as a result of their hard work.

Bernie congratulated all of the students who attended the majority of lessons, in particular the Year 2 class who had 14 of their 17 students receive certificates.

“This the best result for one class that I have ever seen,” she said.

“Special shout outs to Xaharnia, Kiki, Jane, Lewis, Greg and Havanah who all recorded a 100 per cent attendance record.” 

“Congratulations to all of the children for their fantastic results and confidence in the water, we have a bunch of awesome swimmers here in Bidyadanga.”

You can learn more about the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools project at the link below.