Alexandra Hills State School students are heading to Cleveland Aquatic Centre for four days of swimming lessons before a school carnival brings their week of water-based learning to a close.
The programme runs from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October 2026, with students travelling by bus from the Princeton Avenue school to the aquatic centre each day. A school swimming carnival is scheduled for Friday 30 October, giving children an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and celebrate their progress.
The activities come as families across the Redlands prepare for warmer weather and more time around backyard pools, beaches and other waterways.
Four days in the pool before Friday’s carnival
In an announcement published on 24 October, the school outlined arrangements for its Term 4 swimming week, including daily bus transport to Cleveland Aquatic Centre.
Alexandra Hills Swimming Week: At a Glance
- School: Alexandra Hills State School
- Swimming lessons: 26–29 October 2026
- Location: Cleveland Aquatic Centre
- Transport: School bus each day
- School carnival: Friday, 30 October 2026
- Bring: Togs, two towels, rash shirt or T-shirt, swimming cap, suitable footwear and spare underwear
- Optional: Goggles
- Reminder: Label all belongings and bring a hair tie for long hair
The school announcement does not specify participating year levels or public attendance arrangements.
Families have been asked to prepare swimming clothing and equipment for each session, including togs, two towels, a rash shirt or T-shirt, swimming cap and suitable footwear. Goggles are optional but preferred, while students with long hair should bring a hair tie.
The school has also reminded parents to label belongings, including uniforms, to avoid items being mixed up when students change clothes.
Friday’s carnival is intended to provide an opportunity for students to put their swimming skills into practice and recognise their progress. The announcement does not identify participating year levels, carnival events or arrangements for spectators.
Why school swimming lessons matter
The Alexandra Hills programme forms part of a broader emphasis on swimming and water-safety education in Queensland primary schools.
Under the Queensland Department of Education’s water-safety requirements, state schools must provide water-safety education from Prep to Year 6. Individual schools determine how their programmes are delivered.
The department’s teaching resources cover swimming and water-safety skills across different age groups, supporting children as they develop their knowledge and ability in aquatic environments.
For schools without their own pools, access to community aquatic facilities provides an avenue for delivering practical lessons. Cleveland Aquatic Centre, at 222 Russell Street, has outdoor heated swimming pools and an indoor pool used for swimming instruction.
The centre is managed by Belgravia Leisure on behalf of Redland City Council and serves families from Alexandra Hills, Capalaba, Cleveland and surrounding suburbs.
Swimming skills remain a national concern
The importance of school-based lessons extends beyond organised sport.
According to Royal Life Saving Australia’s 2025 research, teachers estimated that 48 per cent of Year 6 students could not swim 50 metres and tread water for two minutes, a key national swimming benchmark.
The research also found that one in ten children aged five to 14 had never attended swimming lessons, highlighting gaps in access to aquatic education.
More recently, the 2026 National Drowning Report recorded 313 drowning deaths across Australia during 2025–26. Although this was fewer than the previous year, the figure remained above the ten-year average.
School swimming programmes offer children structured opportunities to develop familiarity with water, practise swimming skills and build confidence. They also reinforce lessons that remain relevant outside the school setting.
A practical reminder for Alexandra Hills families
With swimming sessions scheduled across four consecutive school days, families will need to ensure children have the required equipment ready each morning.
The school has specifically requested two towels, a swimming cap and clearly labelled clothing and belongings. Students wearing swimming costumes to school should also pack spare underwear.
The programme concludes with Friday’s carnival, bringing together the week’s focus on learning, participation and personal progress.
For Alexandra Hills families, it is a timely reminder that swimming is more than a summer pastime. Building water-safety knowledge and practical ability during the primary school years can help children approach aquatic activities with greater awareness and confidence.
Published 26-October-2026
