Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School

Water Safety. Please read to opt out.

I am sure you will agree that teaching children and young people about water safety is extremely important, especially in the summer months.

Below a link to “Be Water Wise”, a powerful new video to help educate people on the dangers of swimming in open water and ultimately reduce water-related incidents and fatalities. 

The video tells the stories of three fictional individuals and the impact their deaths have on loved ones. It has been produced by Wakefield Council and the partners who make up the Wakefield District Water Safety Group.

In the last year alone, across our district, two young people lost their lives by drowning in open water. The total number of water fatalities in 2022, across West Yorkshire, stands at seven. 

Research and planning for the video got underway in winter 2022 and involved representatives from Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Canal River Trust and Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Next week, we will be talking to all children in school about water safety. We are only going to show this video to our Year 5 & Year 6 pupils due to its emotive content. Other resources that are age appropriate for younger children will be used in other classes.

For some Year 5 & Year 6 children, this video may be too upsetting for them to watch in school. Please use the link below to watch the video yourself and If you do NOT want your child to watch the video in school on Monday 10^th July, please either telephone or call into the school office before Monday at 9:30am.

Thank you, Mrs Elliott.

Main video - https://youtu.be/ikrOHsClo38