school made me cry today

[Two_Sheds]

For the past two years, I've been a volunteer swimming helper for my school. It's been a real drag at times, cycling 8 miles in the rain & wind before getting in the pool for 3 hours.

Today we had special assembly to dish out all the swimming certificates ~ apparently it was the school's best year ever for passes (despite most children having never been in a pool before in their life), and our boy's team were the best out of all the schools in the town.
Only about 3 children out of 130+ didn't manage their basic proficiency*

Then my name was called out, and I had to go and collect a bouquet & chocolates. Totally unexpected, totally embarrassing, totally brilliant.


* but they got certificates for being brave anyway

[snuffer]

Well done Twosheds. Sounds like a well deserved pat on the back to me.

I used to love swimming when I was at school but haven't visited a pool for years.

[Claire72]

Well deserved if you ask me

[Two_Sheds]

I used to love swimming when I was at school

I hated it. I've always been scared of water (had my head forced under when I was ickle). I only learned to swim properly as an adult, and I only learned to dive under a month ago (I still hate getting my head under)

It's because I was so scared that I can see the benefit of helping the little ones. Lots of parents can't see the point of swimming, as they never take their kids to a pool, but it is vital to be able to swim if you accidentally fall in one day in your life

Also, if they can overcome their fear of the water, they become more confident in other areas of their life. They were all so proud of their certificates today, and they were all well deserved.

[Capsid]

My kids belong to a swimming club and only the head coach is paid, the others of which there are 4, are all volunteers. The entire future of British swimming and our Olympic hopes are based on this system and the support of the parents.

So very well done two sheds, I certainly appreciate and understand the time and effort you put in.

[janeyo]

Well done TwoSheds- very well deserved

I was in a swimming club when young and gained life saving badges etc which are important and the skills have hopefully stayed with me.

my 3 yr old loves the water and has just learned to 'swim' with me holding his belly and him holding the float... the baby loves it too, he is very proficient at splashing!

I am sure the children you helped will use their skills for life

janeyo

[HeyWayne]

Well done gal! Make sure you don't eat all the chocolates before you go swimming!

Neither of my parents swim, Mum was scared of water for the same reason as you TS - she was at a pool with her brother and some friends and got pushed under when she was younger.

My Nan taught me when I was small (she used to hold me in the water so I must have been very young).

A few years ago we took my parents to Centre Parcs in Longleat and it took my greatest persuasive powers to get Mum & Dad in the water, but they did and loved it.

We need more people like you TS - keep up the good work.

[SueA]

That's lovely Two Sheds. School used to make me cry every day, I hated it! I never managed to learn to swim properly either, I could doggy paddle one width but can't even do that now, wish we'd had someone like you to help us!

[squashysu]

arrr thats lovely and well done for being a deserving volunteer, we need more people like you around TS.

I think every child should be taught to swim free of charge, our school does and the children have lessons twice a week in the summer in the school's pool.

SS

[Snadger]

Proud of you Two Sheds and what a lovely gesture from the School!

I can just about swim to save my life, and I can float on my back for a bit!

I learned to swim when my rope swing snapped and I fell in the river!

[smallblueplanet]

...I learned to swim when my rope swing snapped and I fell in the river!

It had to be you, didn't it!

Well done 2_Sheds, that's a lot of effort on your part. As kids we used to be sent off to the local town baths to get us out the way! - we had to walk there & back too (no trampolines for us! ). I hadn't swum for ages 'til I went on a foreign holiday a few years ago, hired a villa with its own pool - I love swimming, I'd forgotten how fabulous it is just messing about in water.

[shirlthegirl43]

Well done Two_Sheds. Madmax and I used to swim a lot before we became parents, now we feel we have failed the boys as neither of them swim well. We must try to get more swimming in this summer since Madmax is at home now to help me encourage the kids.

[bluemoon]

I misspent at least part of my youth as a swimming teacher. One of my best ever memories is of teaching a 62 year old lady to swim when she'd been terrified of the water her entire life. (OK, so she still did it with her face pointing at the ceiling and her eyes shut, but I'm sure she'd have gone on to do it better). I've taught hundreds of kids to swim, but really struggled with my own, 'Mum' just doesn't have the same authority as 'teacher'. If you've done all that voluntarily, Two Sheds, I'm sure you really deserved those flowers and chocolates, but they won't compete with your memories of finally seeing someone swim who was once afraid, you've given them something special for life.

[gemlady]

Well done to all the children How nice that they appreciate all your efforts on their behalf.

When I was at school (eons ago) we were lucky enough to have weekly swimming lessons at a nearby pool. I can still only swim a width, and I've still got my swimming certificate!

[Hans Mum]

well done TS thats really good work.........you deserve the chocs & flowers & more