Award-Winning Swimming Lessons

Do you and your children know how to swim?

Swimming is such an important life skill.  Join the fun in the water, and let us teach your children swimming and water survival skills that they’ll keep with them for life.

At Healthways, we specialise in children and beginner lessons, so that everyone in the family can enjoy and be confident in the water, all year round.

We offer swim programs for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, primary school age children, early secondary school age students, and adults. We have lessons for everyone in the family.

All our teachers are Austswim qualified, and our small class sizes mean that your children will receive more teacher attention.

Industry awards and recognition:

It’s important for new clients to feel confident that you’re coming to a swim school that is reliable and reputable.  Amongst our industry peers we are recognised as:

• Finalist AUST Most Environmentally Friendly Swim School 2011.
• Finalist AUST Best Swim School Print Material for our Swim School Policies brochure 2011.
• President of Swim School Owners Association of Australia (VIC Branch) 2010.
• Finalist VIC Water Safety Week Program of the Year 2009.
• Finalist VIC Teacher of Infants and Pre-schoolers 2009.
• President of Swim School Owners Association of Australia (VIC Branch) 2009.
• Finalist VIC Water Safety Week Program of the Year 2008.
• Vice-President of Swim School Owners Association of Australia (VIC Branch) 2008.
• Finalist VIC Water Safety Week Program of the Year 2007.
• Winner VIC Swim School of the Year 2006!
• Winner VIC Water Safety Education Program of the Year 2006 from Aquatics and Recreation Victoria!
• Winner VIC Water Safety Education Program of the Year 2006 from Life Saving Victoria!

We proudly share these achievements with you as an indication of the passion and dedication we have for our profession and for the children that we teach.

Healthways Swim School Provides…

Our swim school provides classes that give students opportunities and learning experiences that are fun and positive:

• We have small class sizes:
• Maximum of 4 students per class!
• For under 3 year old classes where parents are in the water, there is a maximum of 8 students per class.
• For squad classes where students are very competent swimmers, there are 8-12 students per class.
• Qualified & Experienced teachers!
• ‘Make up classes’ or ‘Family swim’ options if you miss a class!
• A ‘Survival Week’ every term where students wear clothing in the water to practice their survival skills!
• Levels that fit in to the National Grading Guidelines.
• Special programs including Snorkelling days and Diving workshops.
• Plus… Come to all your lessons during the term and automatically go into the draw to win a push bike!
• We also encourage parents to stay and watch their children learn to swim as there are NO Spectator Fees.

A complete swimming and water safety education program…

We are always developing new ways to engage parents and students:

• We were involved for a long time in the committee and senior management of the Swim School Owners Association of Australia (VIC Branch);
• We are members of Swimming Australia and participate in industry events that they coordinate;
• We are members of Austswim Australia and participate in industry events that they coordinate;
• We have long been the only program we know of to deliver class-room-based water safety education to childcare centres, kindergartens, maternal health centres, and play groups – and this program has won a couple of industry awards in its own right;
• We have developed our own swim levels based on the National Grading Guidelines so that we have equivalent levels for any school swimming that children do;
• We are part of the Victorian Government’s Premier’s Award for Swimming certificate;
• We have developed structured teacher training for people who are gaining their teaching qualification;
• All our ongoing internal teacher training is recognised by Austswim Australia; and
• We have initiated a number of swim school events including: Snorkelling experiences, Boat safety weeks, Infant Aquatic Open Days, CPR courses for parents, and Diving workshops.

Lastly, we’re always coming up with new ideas of making things better.  No program is ever complete.  There’s always another good idea on the horizon that would make things even better.

We’re not too big that good ideas take so much time to implement that nothing ever gets done; and we’re not too small that good ideas require too many resources to implement that nothing ever gets done.

We’re willing to improve our programs to constantly stay fresh and relevant.

Where are we located?

After many years in Box Hill and developing a strong swimming program over the past 16 years, Healthways swim school is also opening a second location in Ringwood in Term 1 2012.  We are now looking forward to teaching swimming to children in the Box Hill and Ringwood areas.

BOX HILL  -  Healthways Recreation Centre, 1-11 Arcade Road, Mont Albert North 3129, Ph. 9890 0507

Pool inspections and visits to the centre are welcome at any time.

All classes at Box Hill are held in our 0.9-1.2m deep, 4 lane, 18m long, heated indoor pool.  The pool is heated to 32 degrees so it’s lovely and warm.  Perfect for teaching.

This pool is also a salt pool  -  Great for sensitive skin!

Over the years we have been at the centre we have put a lot of resources into completely re-fitting the back end of the pool’s filtration.  It’s all new.  Most recently, in 2010 we converted the pool to salt.  So, if you or your child have sensitive skin or eyes the water is gentle on them.  Particularly good news for people with allergies, eczema or general skin dryness.

For all our current clients we look forward to continuing as normal in Box Hill.  There should be no noticeable change to your classes.  But behind the scenes, the additional site means that we have extra ability to deliver high quality internal teacher training to our staff.  We have already begun a new generation of teacher training methods, with experienced teachers ‘teaching-the-teachers’ and technical expertise being shared across both sites.

RINGWOOD  -  Healthways Aquatic Centre, 108-110 New Street, Ringood 3134, Ph. 9879 5777

Pool inspections and visits to the centre are welcome at any time.

This facility was built in the 1970s as a purpose built swim school pool.  It is a 6 lane, 25 metre pool with diving blocks at one end.  It is the previous site of Dolphin Swim School, which was well known in the area.  ‘Back-in-the-day’ some of our current key staff did their teacher training with Dolphin Swim School.  It is a pool that we’ve always enjoyed and respected.

The pool’s current lease has been vacated by Vicki Fields Swim School, who has been building a pool in Kilsyth and is ready to move her classes there at the beginning of next year.

So, we are very happy to be starting a new lease of the Ringwood pool and starting our own classes as of Term 1 2012.  In obtaining the lease we were up against a number of other swim schools and clubs all vying for the opportunity to occupy a local 25 metre pool.  We are confident that our business and teaching methods will perform in the new location and that even more so, the addition of Ringwood to our Box Hill site opens the door to a suite of opportunities that will benefit both locations.

It is our intention to progressively upgrade and modernise the Ringwood facilities as per our experience with Healthways in Box Hill, beginning with trade works scheduled in early January 2012 before we open for classes.

SALT POOL  -  Great for sensitive skin!

Did you know that our Box Hill pool is a salt pool?   So if you or your child have sensitive skin or eyes the water is gentle on them.  Particularly good news for people with allergies, eczema or general skin dryness.  For more information on how our salt pool works CLICK HERE.

Available Programs:

	AQUA-BUB PROGRAM & AQUA-TOT PROGRAM Age: 1yr - 3yrs These programs aim to familiarise children with the water, encourage water confidence and introduce independent skills. Parents assist their children in water activities, and develop skills together in: Entries & Exits, Floating, Sculling & Keeping Balance, Underwater skills, Kicking and arm actions, Parent Education, Extra carer and child skills. Nursery Rhymes and a large variety of toys are used to engage the children and assist their mental and physical development. .
	PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM Age: 3yrs - 5yrs This program develops greater water skills and teaches children across five levels - beginner, beginner gold, confident, intermediate and advanced. Beginner classes introduce students to the water, while progression through the levels results in advanced classes being able to swim independently and developing basic stroke technique. Children are engaged using floatation aids, equipment and/or toys. We aim to make the water an enjoyable experience so children can’t wait to get to the pool for their lesson every week. When children go to school they swap into the equivalent school age level. .
	SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM Age: Primary School Age Our school age program is based on the national swimming grading guidelines. As the children progress from level 1 to level 4 they are taught attainable and challenging skills aimed at broadening their water independence, stroke technique and water safety skills. Our classes develop skills in — entries & exits, floating, sculling & treading water, swimming technique on front, swimming technique on back, survival skills, underwater skills, diving skills, rescue skills and endurance. In addition, school age children may participate in special events throughout the year including snorkelling workshops, distance swims, etc. .
	LEVEL 5 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD This program provides students with an introduction to a squad environment, while not being intimidating for those children who don’t wish to pursue competitive swimming. It focuses on improving stroke technique and developing endurance and speed. LEVEL 6 & 7 SQUADS These programs focus on advanced stroke and survival skill development. During these classes improved stroke technique results in improved speed and endurance. Additionally, the students general health and fitness levels are constantly challenged. These programs provide a fun recreational environment for students who enjoy swimming and/or wish to pursue competitive swimming. .
	ADULT LESSONS These classes provide adults with the opportunity to gain confidence in the water, learn how to swim or improve technique in a personal and friendly environment. Adults can progress at their own pace, while gaining the additional health and fitness benefits of being in the water. .
	PRIVATE LESSONS Private classes provide adults or children with personal tuition. Whether you’re just starting out or you want extra help with your skills, private lessons give you all the attention you need. Lessons can be arranged for one(teacher)-to-one(student), or for up to one(teacher)-to-four(students).

Progression through the Program:

To help students progress through the program, firstly, classes are grouped according to age.  Children learn differently as they change from toddlers to pre-schoolers to primary school age and our classes allow children to be taught in age-appropriate ways.

Then within each age group, classes are grouped according to ability using comprehensive levels which include skills covering: Entries & Exits, Floating, Sculling & Treading Water, Swimming on Tummy, Swimming on Back, Survival Sequences, Underwater Skills, Safe Diving Skills, Rescue Skills, and Endurance.  All our level criteria can be seen at the centre on the pool foyer wall.

The levels within each age group fit together as shown below.  (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

Choose your class Frequency:

We offer:

• Regular Classes – ie. Classes once per week during the school term. (Available for all age groups); and
• Holiday Intensive Classes – ie. Classes once per day for 5 consecutive days during the school holidays. (Available for 3 year olds to level 5.)

Class Times:

• Regular Classes happen at the following times:

• Holiday Intensive Classes happen in the mornings.  Generally these classes are Mon-Fri, but where there is a public holiday during the week they may run Sun-Thur or Tues-Sat so that there are still 5 classes.

Class Fees and Enrolment:

• All class fees are calculated by multiplying the cost per lesson by the number of lessons in the enrolment period.
• The most popular way of enrolling in classes is to pay your class fees over the phone, or you are welcome to come in an pay in person at reception.
• Holiday Intensive Classes:
  • Are confirmed by payment in full.
• Regular Term Classes:
  • Are confirmed by either:
    • Payment in full (in which case there is a $5.00 discount per student per term); OR
    • Payment of a $50 non-refundable deposit and then the balance for the term is due in the 1st week.
  • For regular term classes, a discount is available to families with 3 or more family members attending the term. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc family members each receive a $15.50 discount per term.

Prices per lesson:

BOX HILL SITE ONLY:

Do you need childcare for your other children during lessons?

While one child is having their lesson, do you need childcare for your other child/ren?

We can help. We have child minding facilities for clients’ children while they are in the centre. The playroom is open 9am-12noon weekdays. Children 6wks-preschool age can play and participate in craft activities with Cat, Grazia and Beth while you are doing your activity within the centre.

CLICK HERE for more information on the supervised playroom.

Current and Upcoming Class Dates:

• Term 2, 2012 Regular Classes:
  • Box Hill:  Sunday 22/04/12 – Saturday 30/06/12
  • Ringwood:  Sunday 15/04/12 – Saturday 30/06/12 
• June 2012 Holiday Intensive Classes:
  • Week 1: Monday 02/07/12 – Friday 06/07/12
  • Week 2: Monday 09/07/12 – Friday 13/07/12

• Term 3, 2012 Regular Classes:
  • Box Hill:  Sunday 15/07/12 – Saturday 22/09/12
  • Ringwood:  Sunday 15/07/12 – Saturday 22/09/12
• Sept/Oct 2012 Holiday Intensive Classes:
  • Week 1: Monday 24/09/12 – Friday 28/09/12
  • Week 2: Monday 01/10/12 – Friday 05/10/12

Come & Try:

COME AND TRY OUR SWIM LESSONS NOW!…

3 WEEK COME AND TRY PROGRAM FOR $50.00. (Available for regular term classes only.)

To see whether our swim school is right for you, we offer a 3 week come and try program for $50.00 to new students.

If you’re happy simply pay the balance in week 3 and stay on. 

Phone to enrol in classes today!

• Box Hill – Ph. 9890 0507

• Ringwood – Ph. 9879 5777

…OR if you would like to enrol in future terms or intensives, place your name on the waitlist for those classes.

How does the waitlist work?

• Approx. 5 weeks before the start of classes, current students start notifying us what class times they would prefer;
• Approx. 4 weeks before the start of classes, we start confirming current student’s class times;
• Approx. 3 weeks before the start of classes, we start phoning through the waitlist and offering classes to new students in order of their enquiry date.
• Approx. 2 weeks before the start of classes, we open classes up to the public.

To place your name on the waitlist, simply fill out your details below:

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Resources:

These resources are have been put together by us to help you and your families feel more confident with water skills and enjoy the water more.  Feel free to download them, share them with your friends, and have fun:

• ‘Bath Time Activities’:  The household bath is the first water environment we are exposed to as young children, and time spent in the bath can serve as a wonderful place to have fun while gaining confidence in the water.  For young children who are not in swimming classes yet, the bath can be a place where Mum and Dad can begin teaching some basic water skills.  For children who are in swimming classes, the bath can be a place where you can practice skills and even learn some new skills.  For tips and specific activities to try in the bath CLICK HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in the water soon.

• Term 4, 2011 Regular Classes:
  • Sunday 09/10/11 – Thursday 22/12/11 
• January 2012 Holiday Intensive Classes:
  • Week 1: Tues 03/01/12 – Sat 07/01/12
  • Week 2: Mon 09/01/12 – Fri 13/01/12
  • Week 3: Mon 16/01/12 – Fri 20/01/12
  • Week 4: Mon 23/01/12 – Sat 28/01/12  (not Australia Day Public Holiday on Thurs 26/01/12)