By BRIDGET SCOTT
A SMALL swim school has made big waves at a national awards night last month.
A staff member from Big Fish Little Fish swim school in Doveton was thrilled when he was announced as the 2013 Aquatics Recreation Victorian Infant and Pre-school Teacher of the Year.
Rodney Prime, who has been at the swimming centre for three years, was the overall winner of this category.
Two other staff members at the centre were also made finalists for other sections.
Managing director of the pool Kylie Lehman said given the size of the swim school they were thrilled to be so competitive.
Big Fish Little Fish was also named Aquatics and Recreational Victoria Swim School of the Year in 2012.
Ms Lehman said this achievement as well as the staff member’s accolades was a great result.
“It is huge for us because there were 11 schools which made finals,” she said.
“This year, three staff members all made finals, and that in itself was big – then Rod ended up winning it.”
Rod, who was presented with the state wide award on 14 June, said he was ’very surprised.’
“There are a lot of good teachers out there which teach infant aquatics,” he said.
“When they called my name out, it was a total shock.”
The Narre Warren resident also runs a free community service called Rod to the rescue, which involves the teacher visiting kinders and creches to run interactive and fun water safety presentations.
Rod said he enjoyed the work associated with teaching young children such vital life skills.
“I like doing the baby classes and teaching parents how to teach their kids how to swim in the water,” he said.
He also mentioned what a rewarding experience it can be.
“I love seeing kids come from not being able to swim, then being able to see what they can do at the end,” he said.
