A Day in the Water: Scuba Diving Club
Following their day in the College pool last week, our Scuba Diving Club had the opportunity to take their skills into the open water. Â
Below is reflection from Scuba Diving Club coordinator, Ailsa Harris.Â
“Scuba diving is a wonderful activity that allows us to explore the underwater world and experience the wonders of the ocean. It is a thrilling experience that is both calming and exciting and is a perfect way to escape the stresses of everyday life.
Scuba diving provides an opportunity to experience the underwater world firsthand, allowing the girls to observe and interact with marine life in their natural habitat. This can give you a deeper understanding of the ocean ecosystem and how different species interact with one another. Furthermore, it helps you appreciate the fragility of the marine environment and the importance of preserving it. As they witness the impact of pollution, overfishing, and other human activities on the ocean, we hope the girls will become more motivated to take action to protect it.
Callum Tilak and I had the joy of accompanying 33 girls from Years 10 and 11 (11 of which are from our boarding community) to complete their PADI Open Water Certificate with Perth Scuba instructors, Lisa, Meena, Peggy, Nathan and Kayla.
Last week, they learnt the skills in a very cold school pool. This was followed by a weekend of shore dives at Rockingham Grain Trail and Rottnest. They then completed two boat dives at dives sites called Fancy Nancy and Coral Reef.”
“Scuba diving requires a lot of practice and training, and it was both physically and mentally challenging. It was wonderful to see the girls share the same passion and goals. There was a sense of camaraderie that boosted confidence and the girls supported each other when they struggled with certain skills.
A huge congratulations to the girls for passing their PADI Open Water Certificate! This is a huge accomplishment that represents not only their commitment to learning but also their love of diving. Obtaining this certification means that they have demonstrated a strong understanding of the principles and techniques necessary for safe and responsible diving and have completed a series of challenging and exciting dives. The PADI Open Water Certificate will also be counted as one of their endorsed programs, as listed on the WA Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA).
As certified open water divers, the girls are now able to explore the underwater world with greater freedom and confidence and have joined a community of passionate and dedicated divers. Well done to them for their achievement!
These incredible, brave ladies have the potential to make a significant impact in the world of scuba diving whist also building a community who support and encourage each other. Let’s celebrate this moment and support the incredible girls who are making it happen!
They did an excellent job, and we hope to see them continue their diving experience in the future.”
Congratulations girls on achieving your PADI Open Water Certificate, it sounds like you had a fantastic time. We can’t wait to hear about your next diving adventure!
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
