Extended Bronze for Ellenbrook Clontarf students

Eight students from Ellenbrook Secondary College’s Clontarf Academy have been participating in an Extended Bronze Medallion qualification as part of the academy’s program of activities.

Clontarf academies are an initiative of the Clontarf Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the education, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Each academy is integrated into its host school and is staffed by full-time mentors. The academy program builds on boys’ enthusiasm for sport to encourage them to achieve academically.

The Extended Bronze Medallion course is part of Royal Life Saving WA’s Swim and Survive Access and Equity program. The course is tailored for Aboriginal youth and provides additional training in the lead up to the formal assessment to ensure participants are comfortable in performing all components of the course.

On Wednesday 5th May, the Ellenbrook Clontarf students attended Royal Life Saving WA’s head office in Mount Claremont to complete certain aspects of the course. Accompanied by teacher Wayne Young, the group participated in a Water Safety Talk presented by Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch, which covered important safety and rescue tips for various aquatic settings.

The group also had fun practising some lifesaving skills including rope throws. The Bronze Medallion course teaches rescue techniques such as reach rescues and throw rescues, so being able to throw a rope properly to someone experiencing distress in the water is one of the vital skills covered in the course.

After the hands-on part of the day the students enjoyed a tour of the facilities at HBF Stadium for a behind-the-scenes look at the running of an aquatic and recreation facility.

Royal Life Saving WA data shows that Aboriginal children are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal drowning than non-Aboriginal children in our state. Learn more about how Royal Life Saving are working with Indigenous communities to improve these alarming statistics at the link below.