Aquatics Curricular
Curricular Program
HKIS Aquatics
The Aquatics Department’s mission is to provide a developmentally appropriate swimming program for students at Hong Kong International School. Swim lessons and a variety of aquatics activities are differentiated for level and ability, thus ensuring students experience success, enjoyment, improvement of their skills, and development of their knowledge and understanding of water safety concepts. By providing such learning opportunities, students are encouraged to pursue lifelong fitness and enjoyment.
All Lower and Upper Primary students take part in a learn-to-swim program during a scheduled aquatics unit as part of the curricular school year. A dedicated, specifically trained team of HKIS swimming instructors and the Aquatics Director prepare and deliver a Learn To Swim program designed to ensure students' water safety and confidence.
Reception 1 Aquatics Program
This part of the program is based on three R1 Aquatics levels, is designed for children approximately 4 and 5 years of age, and aims to facilitate developmentally appropriate learning of fundamental water safety and aquatics skills. The aquatics environment raises many new possibilities for young children’s learning. Students will explore this world of water and develop concepts about how it works before they can begin to master their aquatics skills. Playful experiences and water games help develop water confidence and aquatics skills in a safe and joyful way.
R1 Level 1 introduces basic aquatics skills, many of which are performed with or without support.
R1 Level 2 further develops basic aquatics skills and marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotor skills.
R1 Level 3 increases students’ proficiency in performing previously learned skills. The skills in Level 3 are performed independently.
The key water safety topics for R1 Aquatics are:
o Recognizing Lifeguards
o Staying Safe Around Water
o Recognizing Emergencies
o Look Before You Leap
o Think So You Don’t Sink
R2-Grade 5 Learn to Swim
The objectives of this part of the program are to teach children age 5 or older to be safe in, on and around the water and to swim well. Aquatics and personal safety skills are taught in a logical progression throughout six levels.
Participants in Level 1 are oriented to the aquatic environment and gain some basic skills in each category. As they progress through levels, participants build on their basic skills to learn and refine various propulsive movements on the front and back. On successful completion of Level 3, participants have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment. By the end of Level 6, participants have developed their skills and fitness level.
The key water safety topics for Learn To Swim are:
o Look Before You Leap
o Think So You Don’t Sink
o Reach or Throw, Don’t Go
o Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket
o How To Call for Help
o Recognizing Emergencies
Schedule of Swim Units
Throughout the school year we schedule your child's homeroom to come to the pool for their swim unit. The plan for this school year is in the table below. Please note that changes could be made to this schedule as need arises. Homeroom teachers will send you more information about the unit prior to its start.
| August - September | R2, G5 |
| October - November | R1, G5 |
| November - February | G3 |
| February - April | G1, G2, G4 |
| April - June | G1, G2, G4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Resources for Parents
Aquatics Co-Curricular Program
The HKIS Aquatics Department also offers co-curricular programming, called HKIS Aquatics Academy. All Lower Primary, Upper Primary, and Grades 6-8 students are welcome to sign up for differentiation, extension, and new aquatics opportunities. For more information, visit our ASA Swim page.