St Hilda’s Aquatics, located in Southport on Whitby Street, offers comprehensive Learn to Swim sessions for Children from all different schools, girls, and boys.
Welcome
St Hilda’s Aquatics, located within St Hilda’s School facilities, we offer comprehensive Learn to Swim sessions for all St Hilda’s families and the greater Gold Coast community.
We offer classes for all swimming levels, from water familiarisation through to advanced levels. Our program has been meticulously designed by industry professionals with weekly focuses and goals, which have been carefully created and extensively researched to ensure children at our swim school receive the best possible progression through their swimming journey.
Our Goal
Here at St Hilda’s Aquatics, our key goal for our Learn to Swim students is to teach them essential life skills and provide them with the ability to pursue a path towards competitive sports and be safer in and around water. (AB)
Our Team shows great passion for teaching all levels, abilities, and the skills that will provide the foundation for their ongoing love of swimming and associated activities which are fundamental to our way of life in Australia.
Whether your child is a beginner or has the desire to compete at the highest level, the St Hilda’s Aquatics Learn to Swim and Squad programs cater for everyone. Participation in swim programs leads to overall sports performance; competition in school swimming carnivals and as well as developing confidence in aquatic environments.
Our program is linked to the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework (NSWSF), https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/educate-participate/swimming/national-swimming-and-water-safety-framework
St Hilda’s Aquatics Learn to Swim Levels
Level 1 (complete beginner)
Level 2 (beginner who is comfortable in the water)
Level 3 (confident independent beginner)
Level 4 (early intermediate)
Level 5 (middle intermediate)
Level 6 (advanced intermediate)
Mini Squad
Holiday Intensive programs - Levels 1 to 5
Level 1 (complete beginner)
Max class number: 3 students, 30-minute lesson
The introductory level for students who are completely new to the water. Essential water familiarisation skills are taught to develop the child’s confidence in the water.
Level 2 (beginner who is comfortable in the water)
Max class number: 4 students, 30-minute lesson
Level 2 is for students who may have had some experience in the water but are still a little hesitant to be independent. Water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills are taught, preparing the student for independence.
Level 3 (confident independent beginner)
Max class number: 4 students, 30-minute lesson
Students are refining their independent skills of floating, push and glides and early kicking drills. They can recover objects from the pool floor, learning to perform a sit dive and are ready to learn the stroke fundamentals.
Level 4 (early intermediate)
This is where it gets real. Freestyle and backstroke kicking, as well as arm patterns are introduced. Introduction to a crouch dive and swimming 10-15m independently.
Level 5 (middle intermediate)
Max class number: 5/6 students, 30-minute lesson
Freestyler kicking, arm action and breathing is introduced together with backstroke; breaststroke kicking and glide and butterfly kick. Crouch dives are introduced and the swimming distance increases, up to 15-20m.
Level 6 (advanced intermediate)
Max class number: 6 students, 30-minute lesson
This level is all about consolidation. Swimmers who complete this level are deemed to be competent in freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke and have a basic knowledge of butterfly. They are comfortable in deep water, can retrieve an object from the pool floor at the deepest point and can tread water for 3-5 minutes. Completing this level is the natural end of the Learn to Swim Program before moving onto squads.
Mini Squad
Max squad number: 8, 45-minute session, twice per week
This is where is becomes more serious. Swimmers are expected to swim twice a week with sessions being 45 minutes. Mini squad students will be swimming all four competitive strokes, developing efficient techniques through various swim drills. The focus will be on consistently maintaining and displaying aesthetic technique over 25m and preparing for entry into one of the Junior Squads.
Holiday Intensive programs - Levels 1 to 5
The St Hilda’s Aquatics Intensive Learn to Swim program takes place in the September and January school holidays. Students attend at the same time each day for five days, Monday to Friday. The intensive program is a great place to kick start the swimming journey, to consolidate skills already learned and even progress to the next level.
Upcoming dates will be published for the January program. A parent/carer must remain at the pool whilst their child is in the lesson.
Cost per week: $100, payable at time of booking.
NOTE: Places on the Intensive Program are offered on a first come, first paid basis and places are limited.
There are no make-up lessons or refunds offered for any missed lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are year-round swimming lessons important?
When and how will we pay fees?
How do I cancel my lessons?
What happens if I miss my swimming lesson?
Can I talk to my child’s teacher before, during or after class?
Can my child do back-to-back lessons?
Why are year-round swimming lessons important?
At St Hilda’s Aquatics we strongly encourage year-round swimming lessons for all levels of swimmers, we generally find for every week of swimming it takes roughly 2 weeks to gain back the fitness and skill level.
There are also other various benefits:
- Classes tend to be smaller giving your child a more personalised lesson plan
- Your child will progress a lot quicker than students who do not swim through winter
- It is also hard to re-establish a routine if your child has had a significant break from swimming
When and how will we pay fees?
Fees will be paid Via Bank transfer, over the phone, in person at the pool or direct debit.
How do I cancel my lessons?
At St Hilda’s Aquatics we require 2 weeks’ notice for any cancellation of enrolment.
What happens if I miss my swimming lesson?
We allow a maximum of 1 makeup session per month, and they are subject to availability, to be eligible for a makeup session you must provide us with a minimum of 24hrs notice.
Can I talk to my child’s teacher before, during or after class?
No, your child’s swimming teacher needs to have their full focus on the children they are teaching and awareness of the pool environment.
We ask that you instead talk to the Learn to swim Coordinator or deck supervisor for any feedback.
Can my child do back-to-back lessons?
This is against our policy; this is because the child will not benefit doing the same lesson one after the other.
Terms and Conditions – St Hilda’s Aquatics program – Squads and Learn to Swim
Bookings
Cancellations
Make up classes
Coach/Swim Teacher Absence
Change of session/lesson time
Learn to Swim Supervision
Program Changes
Behaviour and Safety Expectations
Marketing and Photography
Privacy
Bookings
- Failure to complete booking and payment in full prior to a swimmer’s entry in the water will result in a swimmer not being permitted to enter the pool or possible removal from a class.
- Squad fees are to be paid fortnightly by direct debit.
- Learn to swim fees are payable in advance, for the upcoming term.
- Places will not be held without payment and the swimmer not permitted to enter the lesson.
- Squad enrolments continue all year round, whilst learn to swim operates on a school term basis in addition to a holiday intensive program.
- Lessons will not be conducted on public holidays or during the annual school closure period in December.
- Fees are calculated to take into account public holidays and the annual Christmas closure period.
- Lessons continue to run throughout each term, including on days that fall in school holiday times.
- Term dates are published on the website and in the Aquatics Office.
- St Hilda’s Aquatics accepts electronic payments only – Direct Debit, EFTPOS and Credit Card.
- Swimmers may join the program at any time and pro rata fees charged accordingly.
Cancellations
- Parents/Carers/Swimmers aged 18 years and over, are required to give one month’s notice, via email, to cancel their squad sessions or swimming lessons. Fees remain payable during the notice period.
- Lessons will proceed in wet weather unless St Hilda’s Aquatics management determines that conditions present a safety risk, including but not limited to lightning, severe storms or other emergency situations.
- There are no refunds or credits offered in these circumstances.
Make up classes
- St Hilda’s Aquatics does not offer make up classes.
- Credits may be considered for extended absences due to illness or injury upon submission of an appropriate medical certificate. Any credit is at the discretion of St Hilda’s Aquatics.
Coach/Swim Teacher Absence
- If the regular coach or swim teacher is absent, a substitute coach/teacher will take the session/lesson.
- In the above situation, sometimes it may be necessary to combine sessions/classes.
Change of session/lesson time
Requests to change session/lessons can be made at any time but are based on availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Learn to Swim Supervision
For swimmers of primary school age in learn to swim lessons:
• Parents/Carers are responsible for the timely drop off, pick up and pool deck supervision of their swimmer(s).
• Parents/Carers must remain on the poolside during the entirety of their child’s swim lesson.
Program Changes
- St Hilda’s Aquatics reserves the right to amend class times, coaches, teachers, lane allocations, program structure, fees or these Terms and Conditions at any time. Reasonable notice will be provided where practicable.
Behaviour and Safety Expectations
- Swimmers and parents/carers are expected to comply with all pool rules, staff instructions and safety requirements.
- St Hilda’s Aquatics reserves the right to suspend or terminate participation where behaviour presents a safety risk or disrupts a program.
Marketing and Photography
By enrolling in a program, parents/carers/swimmers aged 18 years and over acknowledge that photographs or video footage may be taken for promotional purposes. Parents/Carers/Swimmers aged 18 years and over may advise the St Hilda’s Aquatics in writing if they do not consent to their child's image being used in marketing materials.
Privacy
Personal information collected as part of enrolment and participation in the program will be managed in accordance with St Hilda’s School's Privacy Policy.