21 July 2008

A group of enthusiastic students from Maribyrnong Secondary College - most of whom had never been in a swimming pool in their lives - took the plunge in a Victoria University (VU) project designed to teach swimming to newly arrived Australians.

VU trainee physical education students prepared lessons and taught swimming classes for the 15 teenagers at the University's 10-lane swimming pool at Footscray Park Campus, as part of their learning in the workplace and the community.

VU Aquatics Lecturer, Loretta Konjarski, said she was delighted with the results of the four-week trial, which will continue next term. "This is one of those meaningful projects that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck."

Maribyrnong Secondary College Health and Physical Education Coordinator, Mark Zahra, volunteered to bring the Years 7 to 10 students after regular school hours. Most were from Sudan, a largely land-locked country with very few public pools.

He said: "In Australia, it's important to learn at least the basics of swimming, and they have all improved remarkably along the way."

Year 10 student, Rekaz Shone, 15, said his first experience in the pool felt like he was entering a grave. "I had never been swimming before, but after I got in, I realised I could do it," he said. "Now that I have had some lessons, I am getting better and will keep it up. You never know, you might see me at the next Olympics."

Loretta said many of the VU students reported the project was among the most fulfilling they had undertaken while working toward their qualification as secondary school teachers. "They are staying back after class to discuss how they can improve the sessions for next time. The VU students are getting as much out of it as the secondary school kids."

The project is one of several designed to build closer educational and sport science links between VU and Maribyrnong College's health and physical education programs and its Sport School.

Photos of the Maribyrnong Secondary College students in the pool with VU trainee sports teachers are available.

Further Information: Loretta Konjarski, Senior Lecturer,
School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919-5411.

Media Contact: Ann Marie Angebrandt, Media Officer
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 5487; mobile: 0403 556 001