Students and staff from the Australian Islamic College with Ron Alexander (Department of Sport and Recreation) and Jen Mickle (Royal Life Saving Society WA)

Children learn vital Swim and Survive skills

Over the past 10 weeks 100 students from the Australian Islamic College in Thornlie have had the opportunity to learn to Swim and Survive.

Recent statistics show that over the past 10 years 22% of children aged 5-14 who drowned in our state were from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. The aim of programs like this one at the Australian Islamic College is to turn these statistics around, and ensure all WA children have an opportunity to learn vital Swim and Survive skills.

The program was conducted by Royal Life Saving Society WA at The Swim Factory in O'Connor and Gosnells Leisureworld. It was provided for these children through a partnership with Communicare and the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR).

DSR Director General Ron Alexander attended the college this morning, along with Royal Life Saving Society WA Inclusion Coordinator Jen Mickle, to present certificates to the participants and congratulate them on their achievement.

As we head into another hot WA summer we're excited that these children will have the opportunity to enjoy the water with confidence, thanks to the vital skills they've learned in the past 10 weeks.