Cockburn ARC has won its third award in less than a month, with its Swim ARCademy named an AUSTSWIM WA School of Excellence for 2021-22.
The swim school is the recipient of the Large Swim School category award for WA, further recognising its ability to help people of all ages and abilities progress through their swimming levels year-round.
Cockburn ARC Infrastructure and Operations Coordinator Sarahjayne Westberg said it was the third award bestowed upon Cockburn ARC by AUSTSWIM since 2018.
Previous awards had included individual recognition for swimming, water safety and infant and preschool aquatic teachers Gloria Heuvink and Mel Holst.
It was also recognised for ongoing support of swimming teachers with biannual professional development underpinned by a dedicated training and development budget, performance reviews, and customised digital team communication tools.
The academy also surveys instructors to improve services, including water safety elements of swimming lessons, and in the past 12 months, has mentored more than 20 AUSTWIM trainees.
This year, AUSTWIM recognised the Swim ARCademy’s Infant, Learn to Swim, Adult and Access and Inclusion classes.
“Our lessons are available all year round, rather than confined to school terms, in four separate pools which cater for different student levels and class sizes,” Mrs Westberg said.
“They include strong water safe behaviours and our students progress towards our pre-squad level faster than traditional swim programs as our Swim Supervisors assess students daily.
“When an Instructor feels a student is ready to progress to the next level, they book an assessment through an online trainer portal, while also updating student competencies at the end of each lesson.
“We are dedicated to supporting our instructors and trainees to support Cockburn ARC’s vision of all people, more active, more often while also achieving our ‘Outstanding Service that People Talk About’ goal.”
The swim school encourages swimming lessons year-round, including the cooler winter months, and has also introduced a popular reward system using a Progression Wheel.
“When students reach a new level they get to celebrate by spinning the wheel for a chance to win a prize, like a water slide voucher or swim bag or pencil case.
“This really helps students feel proud of their achievements and strive for the next level.”
About 10,000 students have enrolled in the Swim ARCademy since it opened at Cockburn ARC in June 2017.
Find out more about the Swim ARCademy at the Cockburn ARC
website.
- The Cockburn ARC Swim ARCademy was highly commended in the National Safer Swimmer Awards at the 2022 Australian Swim Schools Association Awards in June.
- Two Cockburn ARC team members were recognised at the 2022 WA Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards in June. Lifeguard Natalie Chua was named Pool Lifeguard of the Year for 2022 and Operations Supervisor Jordan Jupp was Highly Commended in the Emerging Leader of the Year category.