Pre-School children take part in first swimming session

November 16, 2020

There was plenty of excitement in the air as Rydal Penrhos Pre-School children took part in their first swimming session of the academic year.

The youngest members of the Rydal Penrhos community were finally permitted to enter the school’s recently refurbished swimming pool after sessions for Prep and Senior pupils resumed under strict guidelines due to the ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Pre-Schoolers got their first taste of swimming at Rydal Penrhos on Friday 13 November – which was the culmination of weeks of planning by the school’s dedicated staff team to ensure this essential part of the curriculum got underway at the earliest possible opportunity.

Under the supervision of Pre-School staff, each child got the opportunity to collect a ball, float on a frog and even jump in to finish off a highly enjoyable first session for the enthusiastic group.

The school has worked exceptionally hard to ensure the pool area follows every guideline and precaution to ensure swimming continues to be a huge part of the curriculum at Rydal Penrhos over the years.

The Welsh Government published guidance to help facilities prepare for the re-opening of indoor and outdoor facilities in June, working in partnership with Sport Wales, the Welsh Sport Association and Swim Wales regarding the gradual re-opening of pools and other leisure facilities.

All pupils from Pre School through to Year 9 will receive a weekly swimming lesson as part of recent curriculum changes implemented.

The swimming pool originally opened more than 50 years ago and underwent an extensive six-figure refurbishment last year that involved pupil participation in the form of a design competition around the site.

Although COVID-19 restrictions are currently preventing a normal sporting provision, staff at Rydal Penrhos have worked tirelessly to ensure that each pupil is fit, active, and thriving both during Physical Education sessions, Enrichment and After School Clubs.