Liz’s corner
Kia ora and welcome to the Term 1 2026 addition of our newsletter! 🌊
🌊 Welcome Back to Term 1 & a New Year 🌊
Welcome back to Term 1, and Happy New Year to all our families! We hope you’ve enjoyed a refreshing summer break and are feeling ready to return to routine. We’re excited to be back in the pool and looking forward to another year of learning, growth and confidence-building with our swimmers.
Living in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, water is a natural part of everyday life — from beaches and rivers to backyard pools. Recent events remind us how quickly conditions can change and why being prepared, resilient and safe around water is so important. This is why learning to swim is an essential life skill, not just a sport or recreational activity.
At Liz van Welie Aquatics, we focus on building strong foundations through calm, structured and supportive lessons. Every kick, every bubble and every breath is a step toward safer swimming, greater confidence and skills that last a lifetime — both in and out of the water.
We’re proud to be part of your child’s swimming journey and look forward to a positive, rewarding and successful Term 1 together.
Cheers,
Liz
Getting to know……..
Rebecca Collins – Swim school Coordinator
I was born in the UK and moved to New Zealand at the age of 10. Like many families starting fresh, swimming became our way of connecting — we joined the local swim club, and from that moment on, the pool became my second home. I’ve been a swimmer ever since, and my passion for swimming began at a very young age through competitive swimming.
Swimming has shaped so much of my life, which is why teaching children to swim is more than just a job for me — it’s about passing on a life skill that builds confidence, safety and opportunity.
I’ve been a swim teacher for over 15 years and a swim school coordinator for 6 years. Alongside teaching swimmers, I have a strong passion for mentoring and developing great swim teachers, sharing both the skills and the love of the sport. Swimming offers so much — fun, discipline, teamwork and pathways that can take you anywhere.
Swimming is truly a family affair in our household. I have two children, Jack (13) and Lilly (11), who are both starting new schools this year at Tauranga Boys’ College and Tauranga Intermediate. They are competitive swimmers with the LVW Swimming Club, so water is a huge part of our daily life. If we’re not training or competing, we’re usually having fun and mucking around in the water.
Outside of teaching, you’ll often find me travelling with the kids to swim meets, officiating as a Judge of Stroke for the LVW Swimming Club. My parents have also been deeply involved in swimming for over 31 years and are proud Life Members of Swimming Bay of Plenty — making swimming something that truly runs through generations of our family.
I have a strong passion for Learn to Swim, from babies right through to adults. Watching a swimmer achieve a skill for the very first time — that moment of pride and confidence — is what makes this journey so special. Swimming is a gift for life, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of helping others discover it.
Making a Splash: Swim Success Story
A big shoutout to Charlotte
“Charlotte began swimming lessons at Liz Van Welie during the Term 3 school holidays last year. She thoroughly enjoyed her lessons, and as a result we decided to enroll her in weekly swimming lessons for Term 4.
Charlotte has enjoyed all of the instructors she has worked with and has made great progress, moving from Tumbler 1 to Cruiser.
She is very much looking forward to starting Cruiser this term, with the goal of progressing to Laing Squad by the end of the term.”
Ka pai, Charlotte! Your hard work and dedication have paid off — from Term 4 in a Tumbler 1 moving up to Tumbler 3 and then doing the holiday program and moving up 2 levels to Cruiser you are flying through.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us
If you have a story you would love us to share please contact us via email.
Club Corner- Top Club Bay of Plenty 2025
🏆 Congratulations to LVW Swim Club – Top Club in the Bay of Plenty 2025! 🌊🎉
We are thrilled to announce that the Liz van Welie Aquatics Swim Club has been named Top Club in the Bay of Plenty for 2025!
A huge well done to our incredible coaches Matt, Tai, Leah and Claire — your hard work, dedication and passion made this achievement possible. 👏💙
A massive thank you to our amazing Club Committee for their tireless support — from organising Club Nights, running local meets, to helping our swimmers get to national events. Your commitment helps make our club the special community it is!
Teach with Purpose: Welcome to the team
Welcome to the Liz van Welie Aquatics Team with our new Learn to swim teachers for Term 4. Left to Right above: Nyah, Lily Y, Lucia, Mackenzie, Emma F
Click here to meet our whole team
Liz van Welie Aquatics Team Awards 2025
We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s awards—each one a reflection of the passion, dedication, and heart they bring to our team every day:
Teacher of the Year: Kim de Vere Rookie Teacher of the Year: Issy Athy-Knibbs Baby Teacher of the Year: Ana Van den Berg Outstanding Customer Service: Mary Parks Most Valuable Team Member of the Year: Wendy KarlCongratulations to all our incredible winners! Your commitment to our swimmers, families, and each other is what makes our team truly special.
Baby Corner
Swimming lessons for babies are more than just fun splashes — they are an essential foundation for water safety, confidence, and development. From a very young age, babies learn to feel comfortable in the water, build coordination, strengthen muscles, and develop early social and cognitive skills. Guided lessons with a caring instructor also help babies develop trust, independence, and a love for the water that can last a lifetime, setting them up for safer and more confident experiences as they grow.
Water Confidence at Home for Babies 🍼🏊♀️
Getting your little one comfortable in water before lessons can make their swimming journey safe, fun, and full of confidence! Here are some simple things you can try at home:
- Gentle bath play: Let your baby splash and play in the bath to get used to water on their face and body.
- Pouring water: Use a cup to pour small amounts of water over their shoulders and tummy, helping them get used to the feeling.
- Splashing hands and feet: Play games that encourage your baby to move arms and legs in the water.
- Reaching and grabbing toys: Floating toys can encourage stretching, reaching, and gentle movement.
- Singing or games: Always combine dips with songs or laughter to create a safe, happy association.
For more information please contact us via email.
Did you know…….
Swimming is one of the few sports you can enjoy for life, from babies to seniors!
But learning to swim isn’t just about strokes and splashes — it’s about building life skills that last forever. From the very first dip in the pool, your child is developing confidence, coordination, and resilience. Swimming also teaches patience, focus, and determination, all while keeping things fun and engaging.
Every lesson is a step toward independence and safety. Whether it’s floating for the first time, perfecting their kick, or swimming a full length, those little milestones quickly become big achievements — and the best part? Watching their smiles grow with every splash! 😄💦
At Liz van Welie Aquatics, we believe swimming is more than just a life skill — it’s a powerful tool that helps children grow, learn, and shine in every part of life.
Teacher of the term
A huge congratulations to Tanya, our Teacher of the Term for Term 4!
She was selected based on glowing feedback from our swim families and thoughtful input from our supervisor team. This recognition is a true honor and reflects her outstanding dedication and passion for teaching.
Tanya consistently demonstrates the qualities we value most in our instructors:
- Patience and clear communication
- Empathy and encouragement
- Strong knowledge of swimming techniques
- Adaptability and safety awareness
- Enthusiasm, creativity, and leadership
- A commitment to continuous learning
Thank you Tanya for making a real difference in the water and beyond — and thank you to our wonderful customers for your feedback!
Important Dates
Week 5 02nd March – Parent teacher interview week
Week 8 23rd-29th March – Re-enrolment for our current students same day/time
Week 9 30th March – Current students can change days and times for Term 2
Week 9 05th April – Enrolment for new/returning students opens online
07th-10th April – Week 1 Holiday Program
13th-17th April – Week 2 Holiday program
Week 1 20th April 2026 – Term 2 Starts