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18 August 2009
Dear Parents and swimmers
Start of the Summer Term
It is difficult to believe that we are a mere two weeks away from our summer term, which
commences on TUESDAY 01 September 2009. We are really looking forward to seeing
everyone again!!! Parents of winter swimmers must please remember that many of the
lesson times change at the start of this new term and that the swim school is closed from
Monday 24 August until Tuesday 01 September, as per Enrolment Forms. Everyone has
been fully informed with regard to children’s new lesson times and days as each parent has
signed an Enrolment Form or Letter of Acceptance / Confirmation Form. If you have not kept a
copy and are unsure of your child’s new times or have any other questions, please email, sms or
phone in the mornings as soon as possible as I will be away from 26 to 31 August and it is very
difficult to get hold of me once the busy summer season has commenced.
Farewell to Children leaving / being referred for Coaching
It is the time of the year that we say goodbye to some of our older children, who are now
swimming beautifully and are ready to move on to coaching. Some of these children have been
at the swim school for more than 8 years and I thank their parents (and grandparents) for their
dedication and support over all of these years. We wish Darren Chown, Liam Lydon, Tegan de
Weijer, Devon Isemonger, Kyle Landsberg, Michael Whitford and Lance Dethian every success in
their future swimming careers. We are also sad to bid farewell to Conor and Megan Davis. It
has been a pleasure and a privilege teaching all of these children.
Welcome
A warm welcome to the many new children and their parents, who will be joining the swimming
school in September. We trust that our association will be a long and happy one.
We are also thrilled to welcome LAUREN HAY, who will be joining us as a teacher at the Swim
School next month. Lauren has spent time with us during the winter months. She currently
teaches at the Wahoo Aquatics Centre in Sandton on a Saturday morning and was instructing
swimming at Kingsmead School in Rosebank, Johannesburg, last summer. Lauren has a
Swimming South Africa Learn to Swim Instructors’ Certificate and a BA Degree in Human
Movement Sciences from the University of Pretoria. She has also earned her South African
Blazer, having played for the S.A. Ladies’ Waterpolo Team for several years so she will be a
great asset to the swim school. In addition, Lauren has recently participated in an enhanced
Swimming Teachers’ Level 1 course.
Condolences
Our sincere condolences are expressed to the Chown, Leathers and Munro and families on the
loss of loved ones recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with them! We have also been very
sad about the recent passing of Lois Bassett, the doyenne of swimming on the East Rand, and a
great lady, who has been a mentor, tutor and friend to so many of us over the years. Swimming
in our province is forever in her debt and we miss her already!
Access Cards
Don’t forget your ACCESS CARDS when you bring your children to swimming as Mabel and Lulu
are often not available to let people in to the property. If a daddy, grandparent, friend or au
pair is bringing your child to swimming, kindly ensure that he / she is in possession of
your card. Additional cards can be purchased at R50 each – please fill in the requisite
Application Form. New parents will receive their access cards at the first lesson. Please don’t
allow access to any one, who is not known to you or who says they have lost / forgotten their card
as this defeats the object of having the system in the first place. Rather ask them to wait outside
and speak to Mabel or Lulu or the teacher on duty.
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Tea / Coffee
Due to time constraints and, since we utilise the room off the patio for changing purposes in
certain of the baby classes, we regret that unfortunately we will not be able to continue to provide
tea and coffee during the summer months. We are looking into the possibility of a vending
machine, which would not take up so much space and which would use disposable cups.
Make-up Lessons
Whilst we are more than happy to offer to “make-up” lessons during the quieter winter months
and school holidays, it is logistically not possible to do this in the busy summer term.
Huggies Little Swimmers Nappies
Huggies Little Swimmers Nappies, available from Baby City, are regulation swimwear for all
children under the age of 3 years (or older if not yet potty trained). They may be used about 3
times if they are not soiled (which is not often). After this a new nappy must be obtained as the
lint tends to come off in the swimming pool and this may clog up our filter system. Faecal
contamination has very serious and costly implications for the swim school, which may have to be
closed for the day while the water is treated. Children will not be allowed to swim without Little
Swimmers or in regular nappies (which are highly dangerous in the water). If you forget to bring
your own, Little Swimmers are avilable from Mabel or Lulu and your account will then be debited
with the cost thereof. The sun suit type costumes (with a zip) are the most suitable and can be
worn on top of the Huggies Little Swimmer nappies.
Swim Wear / Swimming Costumes
For older children, we strongly recommend the more practical full costumes for girls as it is
difficult to work with children in two pieces with strappy tops. Tight-fitting speedo-type costumes
are recommended for boys – please NO BAGGIES as these hinder the children and cause drag.
Parents / caregivers, who accompany infants and toddlers in the water, may wear whatever they
like (including board shorts) but be warned bikinis are not ideal! Moms must please tie up long
hair so that it does not get into the water and filters.
Buoyancy Aids
Our swim school is fully equipped with our own buoyancy aids, such as arm bands, body belts
and very soon the fun NEW SHARK FINS / Swimfins. No child will be permitted to wear his / her
own arm bands, life jacket etc. It would SAVE TIME and be really be helpful if parents of 2, 3 and
4 year olds in independent classe could assist teachers to fit buoyancy belts or arm bands at the
beginning of the lessons.
Buoyancy Aids are used for various reasons, ie. for safety, confidence building, to get the head
up for breathing purposes, body position, correcting breaststroke kick (in much older children) so
please do not get upset or think your child is “going backwards” because the teacher decides to
use a belt when he / she is already waterborne.
Regular Attendance and Being on Time for Lessons
Learning to swim or becoming a successful competitive swimmer is all about constant aquatic
exposure. We cannot stress the importance of bringing children to lessons religiously. It is also
important that children arrive a few minutes early for lessons. Little ones become very anxious
when parents rush them in to class at the last minute. When you arrive late, your child will miss
the orientation, land drill or warm up, which is often the most important part of the lesson.
Children must be dressed in costumes and caps (with all hair tucked into the cap please) a few
minutes before the lesson is scheduled to commence. Please do not expect teachers to put caps
on as this infringes on valuable teaching time.
New Children / Bridging Classes
It is quite normal for very young, new children or those going into bridging / independent classes
to be nervous for the first few weeks. An anxious child cannot learn and parents are welcome
initially to stay close by inside the enclosure as we take their little ones through an orientation
process. It is our philosophy that children should be taught through play and praise and that
learning to swim should never be done at the expense of their emotional well-being. However,
once children have settled down, parents are encouraged to watch lessons from outside the glass
enclosure as, when parents and siblings continually sit inside, the noise factor is not conducive
for effective teaching and learning to take place.
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Cell Phones
Cell phones are strictly prohibited in the swimming pool enclosure and change room. Teachers
have strict instructions from me to request parents to switch off cell phones immediately so
please don’t take offence to this.
Food & Beverages
Please try not to take food and beverages into the change room.
Caps & Goggles
A full and fun range of Spurt Silicone swimming caps (plain, multi-coloured or shark, kitty, doggy
shapes) & goggles are sold at the swim school and are available from Lulu or Mabel. If they are
not on duty at the time that you are here, please place a note into the fee box or sms / email us
and we will ensure that somebody can help at your next lesson. Plain caps R50, multi and fun-
shaped caps R60. All Goggles, Junior, Senior and Tinted R100. New parents will receive one
cap (per family) at the first lesson as part of their joining fee. Caps are compulsory for reasons of
hygiene but new infants and toddlers will, of course, be given an opportunity to settle down at the
swim school initially before swimming caps are introduced. We do not allow children under the
age of 8 to wear goggles during swimming classes as too much lesson time is wasted fiddling
with and adjusting them.
Flippers
All WATERBORNE children over the age of 7, who are involved in our stroke correction
programme, will be required to have their own FULL FOOT flippers in future and these must be
brought with them to every training session. PLEASE MARK CLEARLY WITH YOUR CHILD’S
NAME – USE A PERMANENT MARKER. Flippers are a valuable teaching aid in the butterfly
and backstroke and are, of course, great fun!!! Please DO NOT purchase the flippers with
STRAPS. We do have a supply of flippers at the swim school but it is impossible to have the
correct size for each swimmer and valuable teaching time is wasted during classes whilst we try
to kit all of the swimmers out. Please take a look at our flippers in the change room before
purchasing. The SOFT BLUE AND YELLOW flippers are the best – normally available at
Sportsman’s Warehouse or Mr Price Sports. We know that parents are struggling in this current
economic climate so if it is not possible for you to purchase flippers, please advise us and we will
make sure that your child is able to use the swim school flippers.
New Accounting System / Fees
We are aware that many parents have found our Statements / Invoices rather confusing in the
past. We are in the process of switching to Pastel Accounting and I will in future be dealing with
all of the accounts and administration myself as Judy is now working for her husband full time.
Please bear with me / us over the next month or two during the changeover.
Fees
Swimming fees are calculated on an annual basis and, as set out in your Enrolment Forms, are
payable monthly in advance at the first lesson of the month, for each month, including
December as I am morally obliged to pay annual leave pay to my teachers and cleaning staff.
Payments may be paid monthly or per term by way of cash using the envelopes provided in the
locked fee box on the patio wall at the swim school DURING SWIM SCHOOL HOURS ONLY or
by electronic fee transfer (eft). Please insert your surname and the child’s initials as a
reference when doing efts as we have many children with the same names at the swim school.
Cheques are not accepted.
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There is a discount on all cash fees paid at the swim school or efts RECEIVED by the 7 of
each month and a further discount of 5% on term payments RECEIVED by 7 September.
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There will be no discount on efts made from another bank before the 7 but only received
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in our FNB account after the 7 of the month. Transfers from other banks normally need to be
effected by the 4th of the month to reach us by the 7th. We cannot make any exceptions as this
creates unfair precedents and we will not entertain any excuses in this regard. Please note that
there is NO DISCOUNT ON CASH DEPOSITED INTO OUR BANKING ACCOUNT because of
the very high cash deposit fees charged by financial institutions. In the past we have sent
text messages to parents on about the 4th of each month to remind them that discounts apply to
payments received by the 7th of each month. Regrettably, I cannot guarantee that I will have the
time to continue doing this in the months ahead.
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Statements / Invoices reflecting our banking details are emailed or posted to parents at the end
of every month. Parents are asked to indicate how they will be paying on the reply section of the
attached Fee Plan Schedule attached hereto. We would like to do away with any unnecessary
printing of envelopes and “save some trees” if parents will be paying on the internet.
Commencement Date and Notice
Parents who elect to commence lessons later than 01 September will still be billed from this date
as children’s places have been reserved in the swim school. A term’s notice is required on the
prescribed form (available on request) if you intend to remove your child from the swim school.
This is to ensure that we attract committed parents and experience consistency in the classes so
that your children can derive the maximum benefit from this learning experience. It also enables
us to employ the services of professional swimming teachers, who have a guaranteed income for
the period of at least a term.
Summer Schedule & Teacher’s Contact Numbers
Please take note that the swim school cell phone number is 074 133 6701. The land line is
011 849-2912. Fax number 088 011 849-2912. All matters pertaining to administration, lesson
times etc. must be referred to Robyn on these numbers or via email or sms. The teachers’
numbers are as follows:-
Marcel: 082 235 4565
Tarryn: 083 376 3908
Lauren: 082 920 5771
Robyn: 074 133 6701.
Please sms the teacher concerned if your child will be absent from lessons due to illness,
vacation etc. Kindly also advise us if there is anything you feel we need to be aware of from time
to time. Unfortunately, children do not leave their problems at home when they come to
swimming and our teachers always endeavour to exercise extra tolerance, patience and
understanding where it is needed.
Kindly also ensure that we are fully informed of changes in telephone numbers, postal or email
addresses so that we are able to effectively communicate with you at all times.
The classes for the summer months have been allocated to teachers as follows:-
Monday & Wednesday
10h30 to 11h30 (Infant / Toddler) Marcel
11h30 TO 12h30 (Infant / Toddler) Robyn
12h30 to 14h00 (Learn to Swim) Lauren & Robyn
14h00 to 15h30 (Learn to Swim) Lauren & Tarryn (*)
15h30 to 17h45 (Stroke correction) Robyn
Tuesday & Thursday
09h00 to 10h00 (Tuesday, Bollie Nursery School) Lauren & Tarryn (*)
09h30 to 10h30 (Thursday, Montessori Kids) Lauren & Tarryn (*)
10h45 to 12h30 (Infant / Toddler) Marcel
12h30 to 14h00 (Learn to Swim) Marcel & Tarryn (*)
14h00 to 15h30 (Learn to Swim) Tarryn (*) & Lauren
15h30 to 18h15 (Stroke correction) Robyn
Friday
13h00 to 16h00 Tarryn (*) & Lauren
16h00 to 17h00 Lauren
**** Tarryn has unfortunately been off sick and suffering from voice problems for over
two months now and has not been able to teach. Her doctors are trying to get to
the bottom of her condition. We wish her a speedy recovery. I was delighted with
the results that Tarryn got from her swimmers last summer and trust that she will
be back soon. However, in the event that she is still not well in September, Marcel
and Robyn will step in wherever necessary.
Please rest assured that I will be working closely with Tarryn, Lauren and Marcel during the first
few weeks so that they are well informed regarding the level of each child and no child will be
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faced with an unfamiliar teacher. All teachers have a full understanding of our philosophy of
teaching without trauma.
Website
I have been working on an informative website for parents, which should be up and running soon.
The website address will be www.robyncousinsswimschool.co.za. Parents will in the future be
able to download Newsletters, Gala Entry Forms and Enrolment Forms from the website. Colour
brochures are also available in the perspex holder on the patio.
Swimming Galas
Parents will be advised of dates and venues for Novice, Level 0 and Age Group Galas as soon as
these become available from Easterns Aquatics / ESP Aquatics. The Easterns Handbook has
not gone in to print yet as there is some confusion as to which pools will be opened by the
Ekurhuleni Municipality. Some pools will apparently remain closed this summer due to
maintenance problems!!!!!
Attending your first Swimming Gala with young children can be very confusing and intimidating for
parents. It has, under the circumstances, been decided that, in the interests of professionalism
and for purposes of identification and organisation, our young unregistered swimmers will swim in
the colours (caps) and under the banner of SOUL SWIMMING CLUB at these galas. The
colours are green and black and our instructors will be on duty and clearly visible and
identifiable on pool deck to assist parents and children. I will keep a supply of these caps for gala
purposes. This Club has recently been started by Merrill Stainton, who is getting great results
from the swimmers and, although the ultimate decision rests with the parent, she is my first
choice insofar as referrals for coaching / endurance training is concerned in our area. Further
details with regard to Club Swimming for children from age 7 and over will be furnished to
parents in September.
Parking
Parking is always an ongoing problem here as we operate in a residential area. The swim school
can be closed down by the municipality and cars may be towed away by the Traffic Department if
parking requirements are not adhered to. Please be considerate when parking your vehicle and
enter Hubbard Street from Klip Street. If you are the first person to arrive at swimming, kindly
park as close to the edge of the paving as possible. In this way we can fit 5 cars into the
driveway. If there is no parking in the driveway, parents may park in the street but it must be ON
THE SAME SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE SWIM SCHOOL ON THE TAR. No parking is allowed
on the opposite side of the street as this makes access to my neighbours’ properties very difficult.
No parking is permitted on grass verges as this often results in sprinkler systems becoming
damaged.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT WHOEVER BRINGS YOUR CHILD TO SWIMMING IS AWARE OF
THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS. Problems arise when grandparents, friends or au pairs are
not informed about where they may and may not park and have not got an access card to the
swim school.
We strive to give you and your children a wonderful experience at our swim school. However, we
would never want to become complacent and constructive suggestions on how we can improve
our service to you are always welcome! May we all enjoy a warm, safe and fun-filled summer!!
See you soon!
Yours in swimming,
ROBYN COUSINS
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