SwimSafer to replace NASSA

[nmhmum]

Hi bubblesnsplashes,


Do you know is there any different between the local certificate & the international certificate under the current swimming test? I ask my DD coach whether she will be affected by the new system, he told me that since my dd will be going for the international exam, the new rule will not affect her. Any idea which cert is better? Thanks in advance!

[bubblesnsplashes]

nmhmum:

Hi bubblesnsplashes,


Do you know is there any different between the local certificate & the international certificate under the current swimming test? I ask my DD coach whether she will be affected by the new system, he told me that since my dd will be going for the international exam, the new rule will not affect her. Any idea which cert is better? Thanks in advance!

Hi nmhmum,

Which international certificate are you referring to? There are quite a few different certification from different associations. For eg. there are certifications from Austswim from Australia and STA (Swimming Teacher Association) from UK. Under these different associations, there are also different types of certificates for survival skills testing, strokes testing and distance swimming.

In Singapore, at the moment, the local certification is the NASSA test which will soon be replaces by the SwimSafer test. The NASSA certifications focus more on survival skills.

In my opinion, it is difficult to say which certs are better. I feel the parents should just take it as a milestone marker. If we compare the certs in terms of recognitions, the local ones would of course be more widely accepted in the local schools here. However, these certs might only exempt them from school swimming programs and not help them in admission to a certain schools.

The international ones might be more recognised overseas (depending on the countries) however, I think most people will not take out these certs to showcase their survival skills when they are oversea. More importantly, it is the skills that the students have learnt and keep with them rather than certs. Irregardless of the certifications, the coach should have taught them the proper strokes and survival skills.

Where is your DD learning? My guess is that she is at a private pool as most coaches in the public pool will follow the local certifications system.

[Monster Mummy]

Hi bubblesnsplashes,


Currently, my children are under the private coach. I am thinking to switch them to the group. As now the swimsafer is to replace NASSA, do you think that I should hold on first for the switch.

[bubblesnsplashes]

Monster Mummy:

Hi bubblesnsplashes,


Currently, my children are under the private coach. I am thinking to switch them to the group. As now the swimsafer is to replace NASSA, do you think that I should hold on first for the switch.

Hi Monster Mummy,

Can I check on the reason for the switch? Is it to be a group class under the same coach or do you mean changing to a group class under another coach?

[nmhmum]

bubblesnsplashes:

Hi nmhmum,


Which international certificate are you referring to? There are quite a few different certification from different associations. For eg. there are certifications from Austswim from Australia and STA (Swimming Teacher Association) from UK. Under these different associations, there are also different types of certificates for survival skills testing, strokes testing and distance swimming.

In Singapore, at the moment, the local certification is the NASSA test which will soon be replaces by the SwimSafer test. The NASSA certifications focus more on survival skills.

In my opinion, it is difficult to say which certs are better. I feel the parents should just take it as a milestone marker. If we compare the certs in terms of recognitions, the local ones would of course be more widely accepted in the local schools here. However, these certs might only exempt them from school swimming programs and not help them in admission to a certain schools.

The international ones might be more recognised overseas (depending on the countries) however, I think most people will not take out these certs to showcase their survival skills when they are oversea. More importantly, it is the skills that the students have learnt and keep with them rather than certs. Irregardless of the certifications, the coach should have taught them the proper strokes and survival skills.

Where is your DD learning? My guess is that she is at a private pool as most coaches in the public pool will follow the local certifications system.

Hi bubblesnsplashes,

Thank you for your fast response. Yes, you are right, currently my DD is learning swimming at private pool. Actually my concern is more on recognisation by MOE schools. I understand that in Primary schools or Secondary Schools, they have to pass a certain level so that they are exempted from compulsory swimming lessons. So my worry is if the international cert is not recognised by MOE, then my DD may need to take the compusory swimming lessons in the school. I check with my DD's coach, he told me international one is better, anyway, I think I need to double confirm with him again. My DD will be taking her bronze test soon, so I better check with him whether to put my DD in local test or international test.. Anyway I really appreciate your views. Thanks for clearing some of my doubts.

[bubblesnsplashes]

nmhmum:

Hi bubblesnsplashes,


Thank you for your fast response. Yes, you are right, currently my DD is learning swimming at private pool. Actually my concern is more on recognisation by MOE schools. I understand that in Primary schools or Secondary Schools, they have to pass a certain level so that they are exempted from compulsory swimming lessons. So my worry is if the international cert is not recognised by MOE, then my DD may need to take the compusory swimming lessons in the school. I check with my DD's coach, he told me international one is better, anyway, I think I need to double confirm with him again. My DD will be taking her bronze test soon, so I better check with him whether to put my DD in local test or international test.. Anyway I really appreciate your views. Thanks for clearing some of my doubts.

You are welcome!

MOE schools will definitely recognise the certs issued by Sports council which will be the NASSA and soon Swimsafer. Sports Council is the sporting authority in Singapore so MOE schools will follow them on the sports related issue.

You wrote that your DD will be taking bronze test soon so you mean there is another international Bronze? If so, I am curious that which organisation it is from.

[bubblesnsplashes]

Parents who want their kids to complete the tests under the current NASSA test should do so before July. NASSA will be phased out by July. Some of the test centres are already almost packed full till June.


I just tried a number of pools in the West and most of them left only the June slots.

[nmhmum]

bubblesnsplashes:

You wrote that your DD will be taking bronze test soon so you mean there is another international Bronze? If so, I am curious that which organisation it is from.

Actually I am not too sure whether it will be called the bronze test, cos my dd's coach did not really say the name of the test. I will find out from him this weekend and will keep you updated. Thanks.

[tree nymph]

Hi!


If the kid is not ready to take the bronze by June, what is the alternative? Does that mean that they have to start the exams all over again? what kind of criteria then?

[Monster Mummy]

Hi Monster Mummy,


Can I check on the reason for the switch? Is it to be a group class under the same coach or do you mean changing to a group class under another coach?[/quote]

Hi Bubblesnsplashes,

Initially, I put the children to the private instructor because of worry the children phobia of water. But it seem that they have overcome it.
The instructor teaching them is only teach private. Therefore, I am just wondering whether is it okay to switch them to group class under another class. It seem now that the new course going to take effect in July, where we are still not quite sure of the syllabus.