​Our training program equips our teachers and coaches with the teaching skills, delivery methods and Col Jones standards essential to becoming a fully-fledged teacher of swimming and water safety. We have developed this comprehensive training in line with industry best practice, ensuring that each and every teacher and coach receives the same foundation to begin their career with us. In fact, we have found that many parents have complimented our teachers on their very first shift following the completion of their training unaware that they have only just begun their journey with us. This is testament to the enthusiasm and dedication that our team has right from the very beginning and makes us very proud of the standard of our training.
 
But the experience doesn’t end there! The teachers and coaches of Col Jones Hurstville are required to gain their official swim teaching qualifications. Our Swim School Manager John is an official course presenter for the Swim Australia™ Teacher (SAT) course, meaning that several times a year he delivers the course to our team who then become accredited Swim Australia™ Teachers through the peak body for swim teaching and water safety, the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA). They are also required to obtain their HLTAID100 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate. We are fortunate to be able to invite the NSW Royal Lifesaving Society to our centre twice a year to keep our team updated.
 
Further to these qualifications, our Reception team and Supervisors also all hold current HLTAID300 Provide First Aid certificates. Our Supervisors also all hold their SAT qualifications as well as many years of experience teaching, coaching and training.
 
We are very lucky to have such an experienced and well qualified Swim School Manager John, who holds the current qualifications as well as over 25 years of experience in the swim school industry. John has attended a multitude of conferences and seminars in the swimming and water safety sector over the years, and loves to share the latest findings with the team. John holds a Bronze Coaching Licence, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate in Aquatic Supervision, is an approved course presenter for Swim Australia™, accredited in Pool Plant Room Operation, and has completed a Child Safe workshop. In 2017 John was a coach on the Swimming NSW Junior Shark Squad.
 
Our Swim School Coordinator, Josephine, has all the above qualifications that our teachers and supervisors hold as well as Anaphylaxis training, epi-pen administration, Child Protection Awareness Training and Safeguarding Children (Level 1). She has completed a BSc (Psychology) as well as a Graduate Certificate in Counselling. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Primary Teaching.
 
Our team of teachers and receptionists include university graduates and undergraduates in a very diverse range of fields - lawyers, nurses, teachers, engineers, allied health professionals, and business just to name a few. We are so proud to have the best and brightest. They set a wonderful and aspiring example to all of our students!

​Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator)

​​Complex biomechanics underpin even the seemingly simplest of skills. Our brains need to send the exact signals to the corresponding muscles and this takes time to master. When learning a skill for the first time, neural pathways firstly need to be established and then reinforced with regular practice. Here at Col Jones we understand the importance of continually developing these skills with practice and time to strengthen the neural pathways and build muscle memory.

Once these have developed, we also understand the importance of time – after a skill is mastered we need to perform it at the ‘autonomous stage.’ That’s the stage when the skill is performed with little thought and much less effort than the earlier stages of learning. At Col Jones we ensure our students demonstrate each required skill at the autonomous stage before progressing to learning new skills, to reinforce all that hard work!
 
Myth: “I just want my child to be capable of saving himself” not go to the Olympics!
Fact: In an aquatic emergency, skills can deteriorate and often deteriorate rapidly. Swimmers who only have the ability to move a few metres through the water, are at best weak swimmers and thus at a greater risk than those who are more competent.

The more repetitions (i.e. practice and time) that a child acquires in learning to swim, the more automatic and safer the skill becomes.

However, it is important to realise that even the most competent of swimmers can (and do) struggle in aquatic emergencies. Often we hear of parents and bystanders tragically drowning in an attempt to rescue a swimmer in trouble even though ‘they could swim.’ If these competent swimmers can drown, then no one is truly ‘drown-proof.’ At Col Jones we stress the importance of educating our parents and carers that whilst swimming lessons combined with active parental supervision are important parts of safer swimming, no one is 100% safe.

Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator)

We have looked once again to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) for their advice.

• Unfamiliar aquatic locations:
  Conditions can change rapidly in natural environments and often an afternoon swim can be very different to a morning swim - even if you return to the same area. Beaches and rivers which may have been calm at one time during the day can quickly develop strong currents at other times. Before you enter any body of water, take the time to observe the water and check for signs of rips or currents.
  
  
• Beach safety:
  In Australia we are constantly reminded to "swim between the flags" however you may find yourself at a beach overseas (or even here in Australia) which is not patrolled by lifeguards. Where possible, always choose a beach that is patrolled and before entering the water observe for signs of any rips or currents. As near all bodies of water, always actively supervise your children.
  
  
• Water parks and resort pools with water activities:
  Just like in public pools, there are lifeguards on duty at water parks (but not necessarily in resort pools). Whilst lifeguards are an important feature in helping families stay safer in the water, they are never intended to replace active parental supervision. Children can become quickly distracted by the exciting features in both water parks and resort pools, and if not within arms reach of you can wander quickly out of sight (and out of their depth). RLSSA urges parents and guardians to remain within arms reach of children at all times when enjoying these facilities.
  
  
• Inland waterways:
  Rivers, lakes and dams are another popular holiday destination, particularly for campers. It is critical to highlight that conditions in these environments can change hourly and without warning. Currents can develop or change direction and speed; banks that were dry may become slippery; and river beds can shift so that an area that you could previously stand on is no longer possible. Many of these environments are made more dangerous with murky water - there may be objects submerged that you cannot see and unknown depths. Never dive in, and always enter the water slowly with feet first.
  
  
• Ways to keep your family safer:
  RLSSA encourages families to talk to their children about water safety. Discuss with them that they are not to enter the water without a parent present. With children who are more competent swimmers here at Col Jones, it is important to explain that even though they are a great swimmer, their ability to swim can change rapidly in different conditions. As always, actively supervise your children around bodies of water. In larger groups, designate a responsible supervisor!

For more information on how to become safer around water, head to https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/families . The advice they provide is invaluable.

Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator)