Letter to Parents: Water Safety

Wed 26 Jun 2024
Dear Parents and Carers, 

As you will know, we work relentlessly with students around their personal development and offer a great deal of opportunity for students to engage with external agencies.

As part of our work around personal development, we have been contacted by parents and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue who have asked us to share the importance of being safe around open water. As we have experienced a mini heatwave this week, we have taken this opportunity to deliver education around water safety during form time this week.

In particular, the parents who contacted us wanted us to draw attention to Sam’s Story,  the incredibly heartbreaking true story of Sam Haycock, a 16-year-old boy who drowned after jumping into Ulley Reservoir in Rotherham. 

TRIGGER WARNING: Sam’s story is a deeply sad and tragic story but South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Sam’s family hope that this campaign will go a long way to reducing incidents like this in the future and save families from the trauma faced by all parents and relatives who have lost children in this way; Sam’s family helped to produce the video

We urge you to speak with your child and explain the dangers of open water:

  • Never jump into open bodies of water – this can cause cold water shock and impact on your ability to swim
  • Do not ‘drink and swim’ – alcohol can significantly impact your ability to swim and get to safety
  • Don’t be peer pressured into swimming where you aren’t comfortable, or if you can’t swim
  • If you get into trouble, float to live – there is advice on this at Safe4Summer
  • If a friend gets into trouble, encourage them to float to live and call 999 immediately

Thank you for taking the time to watch Sam’s Story and for re-sharing this message with your child.

Yours faithfully, 

Mrs Riley
Assistant Principal 
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