The aim is to get children in the pool as early as possible, so they are comfortable in the water and develop a passion for a different type
of exercise. But not only is swimming wonderful for exercise, it is
also a chance to learn vital life skills. Alongside in-pool swim
training, Primary students learn personal survival and poolside rescue
skills. In Secondary, students also learn in-pool rescue and
lifeguarding. These skills have applications far beyond the swimming
pool and will serve the students well throughout their lives.
Although an individual sport at heart, YCIS Puxi’s swimming program focuses on combining exercise and learning valuable skills, with
creating a social environment where teamwork is always encouraged.
“Being part of the swimming teams here is a whole team effort — we don’t just focus on individual success,” said YCIS Puxi Aquatics
director Annie Wright. Furthermore, the students are seeing the benefits
of a health-and-safety-based approach.“Not only do they love being in
the pool, the students also enjoy learning important life skills,“ added
Wright.
YCIS Puxi’s swimmers are already making waves in the water. Earlier this month, two teams from YCIS Puxi took to the pool in a friendly meet
— as part of the Shanghai Changning International Sports Amateur League
— hosted in collaboration with The Expatriate Centre at the YCIS Puxi
Early Childhood Education (Ronghua) Campus pool. The participants, who
came from international schools, bilingual schools, and swimming clubs
in Changning District, formed the 11 teams that took part on the day.
The YCIS teams produced a large number of personal best times and
awards. With students of different abilities, ages and experience levels
participating, the focus was on building team camaraderie as well as
personal improvement.
In early November, a number of YCIS Puxi Primary and Secondary swimmers will represent the school at a meet held at another
international school in the city.
This highly competitive fixture requires qualification times to enter and features teams from across Asia. There will be a lot of talent
on display in the pool that day, but, as always, YCIS Puxi’s students
are looking forward to the challenge of swimming competitively,
representing their school in the pool, and aiming to improve on personal
and team successes.
