Millennium Swimming
Homeschool Swimming Programme @AUT Millennium
This programme was started in 2012 by a local homeschooling mum as a means of providing affordable daytime swimming lessons for her own children as well as other home-educating families. Today, this long-running and extremely popular programme is facilitated by Sarah Shaw, a volunteer, home-educating mum, and HASCA committee member.
This ‘Learn to Swim’ and swimming development programme runs weekly, Mondays, at AUT Millennium and the Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Center between 10:30am and 2:30pm (term times vary depending on enrollments). Millennium’s superb facilities are situated on Auckland’s North Shore at 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay.
The Homeschool Swimming Programme runs all year (8 weeks each term) and provides lessons for (school-aged 5-18yrs) home-educated students studying full time. It caters to absolute beginners, intermediate through to advanced swimmers. Most levels swim for 30 minutes each Monday. The Pre-Development and Development Swimming Squads are for those swimmers who have achieved beyond level 6/7 and wish to maintain and improve technique whilst increasing speed, stamina, and overall endurance. Advanced swimmers swim for 45 minutes each week.
Progress & Assessment: At the end of each term, an assessment sheet applicable to the child’s level is given to each swimmer. This helps the child and parent to see their progress and identify areas that need attention. Instructors also offer verbal feedback throughout the term. You will find the programme supervisors are usually on the pool deck on Mondays and are very knowledgeable, helpful, and encouraging. ‘Levels of Achievement‘ are shown above.
This is an excellent swimming programme that our community is incredibly fortunate to have access to through the dedication of volunteers willing to facilitate it. (Ensure you thank them!) The programme is designed for your child’s success – the key to this is regular participation and commitment. Many of our families choose to swim all year round; others swim for 2-3 terms annually. This is fine, but it will slow progress.
New Swimmers, please complete and submit the pre-assessment form (below). Returning Swimmers, please complete and submit the registration form (below). It is important to note that we do not take new or returning swimmers during term time (i.e., once the 8-week swimming term has commenced, there are no more additions).
New Swimmer Assessments: All swimmers, prior to placement, are assessed. New swimmer assessments take place at the end of each term (around week 6) in preparation for the following term. Assessments are booked and organised by the Homeschool Swimming Coordinator Sarah Shaw but are conducted by qualified Millennium staff. There is no charge for this service, but please be respectful and turn up for your appointment. *Before an assessment can happen, you must complete a ‘new swimmer pre-assessment form’. A booking time will be allocated to you by the homeschool swimming programme admin team in due course (watch your email for this).
It is important to note that swim times and lanes are allocated by programme coordinators and depend largely on your child’s age and ability. We assess swimmers to ensure accurate lane placement. We do try to accommodate larger families with similar swim times to avoid long waits, but this may not always be possible. Programme placement is at the discretion of the Programme Coordinator and Millennium’s Programme Manager. We manage around 70 – 110 homeschool swimmers each term – please be kind and patient – we do try to place everyone.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Homeschooling families participate weekly from the North Shore, greater Auckland, Rodney, and beyond. All families who hold a current homeschooling exemption issued by the Ministry of Education (or have a child under 6 who they are homeschooling or have an exemption in progress) are welcome to participate.
HASCA MEMBER DISCOUNT? Yes, there is a discount for HASCA-member families: $5 per child per term. HASCA is powered by generous volunteers: our committee – all busy homeschooling parents (just like you!) who invest their time into providing awesome opportunities for home-educated kids! Your support through membership is appreciated; thank you. Join HASCA HERE.
Fees & Admin: Term fees are payable in full upon placement confirmation. Please pay promptly! Fees are payable to the Homeschool Coordinator, Sarah Shaw. Sarah or one of the admin team will contact you with payment details once your placement has been confirmed.
Please see ‘registration and info’ (buttons below) for term fees, programme dates & other important information.
ENQUIRIES?! Please do not contact AUT Millennium directly regarding this programme. As this programme comes under the ‘schools programme’ and is subsidised by the MOE’s LEOTC scheme, a ‘school coordinator’ is responsible for all ‘school’ administration (enrollments, payments etc) and communications with families. Therefore it is important that ALL enquiries come through our homeschool coordinator Sarah Shaw.
Want to Swim? Time to register?!
Simply complete the applicable registration form using the blue buttons below.
Click ‘returning swimmers’ if you have taken part in this swimming programme before, or click ‘new swimmers’ if you haven’t participated before.
Note: If you have participated in this programme before, however, two terms or more have passed, a new swimming assessment may be required. Please contact Sarah to discuss this.
Ensure you press ‘submit’ after completing the registration form. You will be contacted in due course by Sarah.
Other Helpful Information:
HOMESCHOOL AUCKLAND SPORTS & CULTURAL ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED (HASCA) 