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Cemex UK’s Wenvoe quarry near Cardiff hosted the launch of a new Welsh Baccalaureate community challenge looking at water safety, with Kirsty Williams AM, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Education, as principle guest. The quarry lake was used by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) to provide guests with a demonstration of different water rescue techniques.
The challenge evolved from a pilot by the MPA and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to look at effective ways of engaging with young people about the hazards associated with water related activities in quarry lakes. It was soon recognised that a multi-agency approach covering all types of open water and utilising the Welsh Baccalaureate would be a more effective approach than a focus on just quarry lakes.
Kirsty Williams AM highlighted that this was the first ever multi-agency supported challenge within the Welsh Baccalaureate. It illustrated the importance of collaboration, community engagement and the role that education has to play in drowning prevention.
The organisations involved with delivering and supporting this Baccalaureate challenge include the MPA and its Welsh members, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS), River and Sea Sense, RNLI, Swim Wales, the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services and Welsh Water.
Comprehensive schools in Wales will be taking on this challenge from the new academic year starting in September. The water community challenge incorporates both open and tidal waters, as well as reservoirs, lakes and canals. Pupils will be expected to commit up to 10 hours to the challenge, in which they will be required to plan and undertake activities that will educate not only their peers, but their communities and visitors on the dangers surrounding water, as well as how to enjoy it safely.
Nick Horsley, Director of MPA Wales, said: “Our strategy in recent years has been to work far more closely with and learn from other organisations who want to reduce the tragic loss of life from accidental drownings across the UK. I am delighted that our members in Wales will have the opportunity to work with young people who want to participate in this challenge.”
For more information about the Welsh Baccalaureate Water Community Challenge, please visit www.rlss.org.uk and search for the Challenge under Awards and Activities.
