April 2016 saw the grand opening of our very own swimming pool. ISTCI stands out as the only school with a swimming pool in Turks and Caicos. In addition, this is the largest training sized swimming pool on the island! For those new to the school facilities, the pool has 4 racing lanes and is 60 feet in length. There are shower, changing room, shade and toilet facilities. All students benefit from the swimming pool as it is part of the ISTCI sporting curriculum.  

Learn to Swim Framework Launched for 2017

With Swimming now playing a big part of our curriculum we have taken steps to ensure each child has been given a Swimming stage. This stage is in accordance with the ASA ‘Learn to Swim framework’. There are 7 stages in total. Each stage has a list of outcomes each child will need to perform in order to achieve that stage. According to the ASA, this pathway not only teaches a child to swim using the four strokes. It also gives them a number of other skills, which when put together, give children the ability to do a range of other water-based sports.

What is the ASA Learn to Swim Framework?

The ASA Learn to Swim Framework is part of the ASA Learn to Swim Pathway, the all-inclusive programme which takes the non swimmer from his or her first splash to developing confidence and competence in the water. Produced by the ASA to assist and support the delivery of swimming lessons, we feel it’s the best way to teach children to swim. With this new Learn to Swim Framework now in place at the International School it will allow us to focus more specifically on the skills the children need in order to improve. We will also use this to assess at various points so it is clear the progress that is being made.

The ASA recommends that children don’t just stop going to lessons once they can swim, increasing their competence in the water helps to make sure they can keep themselves safe.

Your child's teacher has been asked to inform you as to what your child's stage is. When you receive this, if you wish to see the outcomes please follow the link below to each stage. For example…If your child has been given stage 2 it will mean they have shown us that they are able to perform all outcomes in that stage and the previous. This does not mean they are not able to do things in other stages beyond that of their given stage.

The seven stages of the Learn to Swim Framework:

Stage 1 In Stage1 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework your pupil should will develop basic movement skills, water confidence and safety awareness. Don’t forget the swimmers will be able to use aids e.g. arm bands and floats to help complete this stage. Stage 2 During Stage 2 swimmers will develop safe entries to the water and will continue to practice floating, travel and rotation in the water. Remember swimmers can still use aids e.g. arm bands and floats to help complete this stage. Stage 3 During Stage 3, your pupils work towards being able to swim 10m on their front and back and will be able to swim underwater to collect objects from the bottom of the pool. Rotation skills and water safety knowledge will also be developed. Stage 4 In Stage 4 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, swimmers will focus on refining kicking techniques for all four strokes and develop a better understanding of buoyancy. Stage 5 In Stage 5 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, your swimmers will focus on swimming all four strokes to the ASA expected standards. Swimmers will also develop skills in sculling, treading water and complete rotation. Stage 6 During Stage 6 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, your pupils will focus on developing effective swimming skills including co-ordinated breathing, water safety and an understanding of how to prepare for exercise. Stage 7 During Stage 7 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, your swimmers will develop quality stroke technique whilst swimming up to 100m.

Swimming Clubs

With after School clubs in mind. This term we are offering Swimming clubs in accordance with stages. Please only sign your child up to the after School swimming club of the correct stage. Those are..