From Dr Ian Smith
November 2006
To All Parents
Dear
Parents
Swimming
For
a couple of years after the school opened we took pupils to Ullapool for
swimming lessons. However,
disruption to normal school work became too great for this to continue.
We view the inability to swim as a major disadvantage for our pupils.
Confidence in water is a very important life skill. Successfully
acquiring a potentially difficult proficiency is also a great boost to
self-esteem. Recently we have
investigated the possibility of providing swimming lessons in the loch behind
the school and now we are at the stage of consultation with parents.
There
are two major issues to consider, safety and effect of the low water
temperature. We have been assured by
Highland Council’s Outdoor Education Department that, by taking a range of
appropriate measures and having suitably trained staff present, we could make
swimming lessons safe. The purchase
of a sufficient number of wetsuits to ensure one was worn by every participating
pupil would provide protection from the effects of the cold.
Wetsuits also provide significant buoyancy.
The Highland Promise 2007, part of
This
is an unusual method to provide all pupils with much needed swimming lessons and
although no final decision has been made, we will not proceed if there is
opposition from parents. Therefore,
if you would not want your child(ren) to participate in such swimming lessons,
please complete the enclosed slip and either post it back or hand it in to the
school office in person by
Yours
faithfully
DR
IAN SMITH
Rector
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