Blacktown Council mascot spreads water safety message

Aqua Learn to Swim’s loveable mascot, Pip the Penguin, visited 20 pre-schoolers at Goodstart Early Learning in Oakhurst to spread the message on how to stay safe around water.

The visit included a water safety talk by the Aqua Learn to Swim team, covering topics such as water safety around public pools, swimming between the flags at the beach and the importance of always swimming with an adult.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said "learning to swim is an important life skill that children of all ages should have the opportunity to develop.

“It’s something that should be considered as an essential skill, and is as important as learning how to drive a car.

“With an alarming number of drownings occurring over the Christmas and New Year period, many of which were young children, the need for educating the community has never been more important.

“Council is committed to working closely with local child care centres to further spread the water safety message, as well as getting Pip out and about in the community as the face of the Aqua Learn to Swim program.”

Goodstart Oakhurst Early Childhood Teacher, Julie Johnston-Doyle said educating young children in a fun way about the importance of water safety was a great initiative to bring to the centre.

Johnston-Doyle added “as part of the programs we offer at Goodstart, our educators create learning environments and experiences for children that balance exploration and challenge in their play with an ongoing focus on safety and safe play.

“With summer upon us, exploring the importance of water safety was something we were keen to introduce at the centre.

“We believe it is never too early to start teaching children the importance of water safety. We are very excited to be working with Aqua Learn to Swim, who are kindly giving their time to come and teach our youngsters about pool safety, fences, supervision and the importance of learning to swim.”

Aqua Learn to Swim runs at Blacktown City Council’s five aquatic and recreation centres - Blacktown, Emerton, Mt Druitt, Riverstone and Stanhope.

Places are still available for Term on which commences on Monday 30th January 2017. 

Image: Youngsters with Pip the Penguin.

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