PAWS…
(Primary Aquatics Water Safety)
Aquatics is a component part of the Physical Education Strand of the Primary School Curriculum. Water Safety Ireland has developed a course that incorporates all aspects of the Aquatics Strand – called PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety). With numerous drownings each year, now more than ever shows the importance of water safety being taught in the classroom.
PAWS is a programme specially tailored for and exclusive to primary school pupils without going near the water. In Cork, Teachers have the option to have a volunteer speaker from the Water Safety Ireland Cork committee to give an interactive presentation or teach the programme themselves. The programme then certifies pupils with a nationally recognised awards from our programme – recommended by the Department of Education and Science.
Presentations consist of theory of water safety – safe swimming, safety on the farm, safety on open water etc. Through PAWS pupils not only learn how to swim they also learn to understand and appreciate the water. They also have fun through the water-based games that are involved in the programme.
National PAWS Certificates are issued free of charge from Water Safety Ireland, the statutory voluntary body established to promote water safety in Ireland.
ORDER PAWS CERTIFICATES HERE
Contact paws@watersafety.ie and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
To get PAWS certificates individually or for homeschooling, please email us directly.
Contact…
Andrew Hayden – Regional Education Officer (South/Southwest)
https://watersafety.ie/education/ Education Committee
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I coordinate and deliver PAWS school visits, manage and distribute certificates for PAWS and create water safety content for programmes, publications and social media.
If interested in more information regarding the PAWS Programme or having a speaker come to your school or group, contact our Education Officer/ PAWS Coordinator cork@watersafety.ie
Resources…
The new water safety website for primary school teachers, pupils and parents – https://watersafety.ie/primary-school/
Here you will find clear, simple water safety messages presentations with additional material for use in classrooms and free certificates for children. Primarily designed for delivery in primary schools, this resource will help to change the attitudes and behaviours of children playing in, on and near our aquatic environments.
WISE
Water, Insight, Safety and Education: Secondary School – https://www.teachwise.ie/
WISE has been developed specially for secondary school students. It builds on the lessons learned in our PAWS programme, to equip students with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions keep themselves, and others, safe on, or near, water. Online certification available upon completion of this programme.
WISE involves a series of 8 lessons that provide a solid introduction to Water Safety, with a focus on risk assessment and water safety strategies for all aspects of our daily lives, from specific water based activities to hazards and the potential of unforeseen accidents.
All lessons look at different environments and highlight potential dangers so students can better assess the risks, and their ability, to determine the safest course of action in all types of situations for themselves and others.
As every teacher knows, smart thinking can set you up for life. The difference with WISE is that these smarts can save a life.
Water Safety Ireland’s Education Team offers in-person Teach WISE workshops for secondary schools. To request a visit, simply click the button below and fill out the short form.
Request a visit here https://watersafety.ie/teach-wise-school-visit-booking-form/
