Newsletters
[updated 18th November 2021 @ 11.55am]
NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2021
I would like to start this newsletter with a reflection of the past term and the changes we implemented at the start. Myself and the teaching staff all believe that we have reached a very positive balance in the teaching methods we have adopted and in keeping the pool hall clear of spectators during lessons. The pupils have definitely benefitted from this with less distractions available during the period of the lessons. Moving forward we aim to continue with this structure and next terms watching weeks are noted below. I thank you for your patience with these changes and the positive feedback we have received.
Below are a few points for your attention.
RE-BOOKING FOR THE JANUARY COURSE:
Those who wish to enroll for the next course, who are remaining at the same level and are happy with the same day and time may enrol directly into the same class at the desk on the day the assessment form is received. If your child has moved level please complete an enrolment form – all forms are at the desk. If your child is remaining at the same level but you wish to change time or day you will also need to complete an enrolment form. Please ensure all forms are completed and returned on the day the assessment form is received. A copy of the new timetable is available either on the notice board or at the desk. A copy is also available to view on the website. All assessment forms will be handed out at the beginning of each lesson. Anyone who cannot return the form on the day should email to the address noted above or text on 07941 738984 with the 3 preferred options. The enrolment options MUST reach me before Thursday 25th November @ 9am. (not the 26th as noted on the assessment forms) any received after this day and time I would not be able to guarantee that we could accommodate.
COMPLETING THE ENROLMENT FORM
When completing your options of new classes; if we are unable to accommodate the times you ask for we will text you on the 25th and offer the classes that we still have spaces in. Please bear in mind that some classes are more popular than others and if you list only these times it is quite possible you may not get your options. The more flexible you are able to be the easier it is for us to be able to accommodate everyone. Please also be aware that if you only note 1 option of time and we cannot immediately accommodate that day and time, then you will only be offered classes that we have spaces left in at the end of the day once everyone else has had their class allocated. Please also note on the form if you are tying in with a sibling and what time their lesson is.
PAYMENT
Places will be held after reserving a space in a class until the following week to allow you time to make payment. ANY PAYMENTS NOT RECEIVED BY THE LAST DAY OF THE TERM – WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8th WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CLASS LISTS WITH NO FURTHER CONTACT.
We fully appreciate that some parents with more than 1 child may wish to stagger payments and we are quite open to this option. Please make your intentions known before the end of term if you wish to make alternative arrangements. Those who have 3 pupils swimming with us and receive the 15% discount and who wish to stagger payments must now make total payment for one child before the end of the current term – unfortunately we have had incidents where we have held 3 spaces in good faith and then payment has not been made. Fees should be paid for by either BACS or cash.
TERM DATES:
The next course will start from Saturday 8 th January – Wednesday 12th January and run for the following 12 weeks with the last date of the course being Saturday 26th March – Wednesday 30th March.
We will run lessons as usual through the half term Monday 14th – Friday 18th February and each weekend either side of that week.
The cost for next term is £116.40.
BEGINNER 4 CLASSES
Pupils wear blue or black hats depending on what end of the pool they are in. This helps us immediately distinguish what level they are. We have always said that the Beginner classes wear blue and stroke classes wear black. With the Beginner 4 classes now taking place in the deep end of the pool we feel it is confusing that they are wearing blue hats. Therefore any pupil currently in or moving next term to a Beginner 4 class should wear a black hat.
MAKING UP LESSONS
When you book a course of lessons for the term that is then the day and time for your child. Most pupils will miss a couple of lessons each term due to parties or illness. We put a limit on the amount of pupils we have in each level and each class. When people book into classes one of the first questions asked is 'how many pupils are in the class'. Once a class is full we do not have the facility to be able to offer make up lesson at that time. Therefore if your child misses a lesson please do not feel that it is expected that they will be able to make up their lesson in another. If we did this as a regular occurrence then classes would become over full and we would then get negative feedback on that issue. We try to accommodate everyone as much as we can but we do need to consider everyone.
PARKING
We thank you for being patient with regards the parking immediately outside the pool building. Since the addition of the new classrooms into the playground it has been quite tight for parking. We hope that now the outdoor gym equipment has been removed that parking is a little more comfortable for everyone.
During the cold weather can we please re-iterate that you don't leave your car running whilst you are waiting for your children to finish their lessons as some parents have expressed concern that their children are walking through a fog of fumes when they leave the building. If you wish to leave your car running then perhaps remain in the car park in front of the school. I thank you for your assistance in this matter.
BADGES AND CERTIFICATES
Over the next couple of weeks all pupils will be working towards the badges and certificates available at the level of their class. If you wish to purchase any certificates then please go to the desk where we can order them for you. Certificates do have to be paid for in advance as we print them. The cost of a Badge and Certificate is £3.00.
WATCHING WEEKS NEXT TERM
Shallow end pupils:
First watching week: Sat 22nd Jan – Wed 26th Jan. Second watching week Sat 19th Feb – Wed 23rd Feb.
Deep end pupils:
First watching week: Sat 29th Jan – Wed 2nd Feb. Second watching week Sat 26th Feb – Wed 2nd March.
WEB SITE
Please check the website for up-to-date information including term dates, a copy of the newsletter and the list of all pupils who have received the Certificate of Achievement from each class.
FUN WEEK
The last week of term is fun week and your child may come along to ANY one of the sessions listed below on the half hour. No pupil will be able to join in midway between sessions. We will adhere to maximum bather load which means that when we reach 35 pupils in a session we will have to ask those that arrive after that number has been reached to wait for the next session to start (this doesn't happen very often!).
PLEASE NOTE THE BUSIEST SESSIONS TEND TO BE THE EARLIEST TIMES
The times are as follows:
Saturday 4th December, First session 9.00am - Last session 11.30am
Sunday 5th December, First session 8.30am - Last session 9.00am (Note change of usual time)
Monday 6th December, First session 5.00pm - Last session 6.30pm
Tuesday 7th December, First session 5.00pm - Last session 5.30pm
Wednesday 8th December, First session 5.00pm - Last session 6.30pm
May I take this opportunity on behalf of all the instructors and assistants to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. We look forward to seeing you all next term.
Best Wishes,
Anne
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