Staff road test: Macquarie Swim School

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One of the many perks for Macquarie staff is the convenient access to Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre’s on-campus gym, recreation hall and pools. There are group fitness classes, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, squash courts and more. Staff can also prepare their kids for summer with swimming classes, plus, there’s swim fit and swimming classes for adults.

Here, Rachel Stephenson from Group Marketing shares her experience of the Swim School, which her adorable daughter (pictured) has attended since she was 12 months old.


I work at the Waterloo Road precinct and drive through the University every morning and afternoon as I drop off or pick up my two-year-old from Banksia Cottage. In the afternoons I always see parents with their kids wearing swimming caps and goggles heading to and from the pool. It looked like such a fun and healthy way for the family to spend time together, so we decided to give it a go ourselves.

Our lessons start at 8am each Sunday. The air is crisp and clean, and we often stop to say hello to the ducks on campus along the way. Once we get to the pool, I have a fresh coffee in hand – though I don’t exactly feel fresh myself and a part of me wishes I could go back to the days of Sunday sleep-ins. At the same time, I am bursting with pride as I see my little one become more confident and skilled in the water. It is heartening to see the other parents share the same pride as me as we watch our kids learn new skills. The kids love it too and it takes the combined efforts of my husband and I to distract our daughter until it is time to hit the water.

We began lessons when our daughter turned one, and immediately felt a part of the welcoming buzz of activity. Every lane was filled with kids of all ages and every seat was filled with parents watching on. My first impression was that we had made a good decision in signing up, and I was blown away by our instructor Susan. She is not only a qualified swim instructor, but also educated in early childhood, which really came across in her language and manner with the kids. Over the weeks and months, I have been amazed by how quickly my little one has developed in the water – she is practically paddling at two years old (so proud!) She has also come a long way with her confidence and now seems to have a natural affinity with the water.

While I’m watching I take note of the safety skills taught to the kids. I’ve learnt about the importance of teaching kids to reach and grip (the edge or a parent) rather than rely on floating devices, and about entering the water from a seated position and twisting straight away to grab the wall (known as a safety slide). Having these skills and tools is comforting especially when being in the water is such a big part of childhood in Australia.

Admittedly it’s not all fun. There are plenty of shivering kids and a mad race at the end of class to see who can make it to the shower first. But for the most part signing my child up to the Swim School has been a great experience and an investment in my daughter’s future.


Macquarie University offers Learn to Swim Programs to all ages from 6 months old to adult.  Find out more on the Sport and Aquatic Centre website

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