School teacher success in remote pool

In the remote Aboriginal community of Yandeyarra, the community pool and the local school have particularly close ties. Pool Manager Jacqui Forbes works closely with the local teachers to encourage school attendance, and to help with swimming lessons, pool visits and swimming carnivals.

“Having teachers who are keen swimmers and use the pool themselves has a big impact on the kids,” Jacqui says. “They see their teachers keeping fit, doing laps, and gaining lifesaving qualifications.”

One teacher in particular is proving to be very inspiring. Leisa Rothnie used her school-holiday break to gain her Bronze Medallion – no mean achievement in a freezing-cold pool!

“Jacqui and I had been working together on lowering my swim times, and she suggested that achieving my Bronze Medallion would be a worthwhile accreditation for a school teacher to have,” Leisa says. “Completing it would provide me with the skills, judgement and initiative to ensure that all my water-based activities would be safely implemented.”

“With pool temps in the low 20s, Leisa did an awesome job dedicating herself to the practical water components and the ‘big swim', which she did in 12.59 seconds,” Jacqui adds. “We even engaged some help from a couple of her school pupils for rescue and recovery!”

After gaining her Bronze Medallion, Leisa is now busy organising a Saturday fun swim and breakfast event to reward her school students for attendance last term. Later in the term she’s even planning a mini triathlon!

“I would thoroughly encourage all young teachers to undertake the Bronze Medallion training as the skills and knowledge you gain could one day save a life,” Leisa says.

Find out more about our Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools program at the link below.