Maningrida students learning to swim

Maningrida School students Dionna Rose Cooper, Jalicia Campion, Shantai Wilson and Tesha Nawirrdji (above) at the school swimming carnival on November 4 which concluded a four-week swimming program which has been running for four years in the community.

Maningrida School students have been working on their skills in the pool as part of a four-week swimming program run with NT Swimming.
The vital program is now in its fourth year in the community and Maningrida School Principal Miranda Watt said she can really see the improvements in the students’ swimming abilities and confidence in the water.
The program included all students from preschool to senior and is so important to the school and the community, that a second person was brought in with swimming coach Mark Walker to assist with the lessons.
Miranda said the program also helped to boost school attendance and gave the senior girls a chance to assist in being mentors for the transition students.
“This is a new thing and has worked really well. It got them in the pool and has helped their confidence,” Miranda said.
"The program will definitely be run next year.”
A number of school staff also took the opportunity to gain the bronze medallion lifesaving qualification
To finish the program, the school held a swimming carnival on Friday, November 4 with great results on the day.
The kids swam the different styles and compete in relays.
Miranda thanked West Arnhem Regional Council for providing the Maningrida Pool.