Chrysalis Steiner School has been honoured in the NSW Water Safety Awards (Community Education), presented by the NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation and Austswim NSW for its unique River Safety Program.  In presenting the award, for the community education program of the year, the Minister for Sport and Recreation recognised Chrysalis Steiner School for its leadership work with Royal Life Saving to pioneer and implement a water safety program based on swimming in the river.

Education Manager, Kelley McGlashan, said that as Chrysalis is fortunate to be adjacent to the Bellingen River, the school saw a need to provide a program which helped children to swim safely in local rivers.  “Swimming in the river is an integral part of life in the Bellingen Shire and we saw a need to focus our swimming safety classes on the river.  Whilst there are a number of beach safety courses available, we felt that the river has a different quality with quite specific risks attached. Students from Year 1 to Year 8 participate in the program”.

The school approached Royal Life Saving with the request that they develop a program based on the particular features of swimming in a river.  “The children are taught how to assess risks in the river, enter and leave the water safely and enjoy themselves in the water in a way which does not endanger themselves or others,” Ms McGlashan said.

The children undertake river safety lessons in the Bellinger River, which runs directly beside the school.  In addition to the River Safety Program, the school has worked with Royal Life Saving to develop a safe swimming protocol which allows for safe, supervised swimming in the river during school hours in the summer months.

Steve Klipin an active staff member with the water safety program said “Our school is located in a very special environment and we work hard to make it safe and enjoyable for the children.  We are very proud to be honoured for our work, with the Royal Life Saving, in creating and implementing our River Safety Program.  We hope that other schools will follow our lead and tailor water safety programs to meet the specific needs of their own swimming environments.”

Media Contact:  Business Manager – Steve Klipin 6655 8616