Although recent University of Otago research showed 62% of primary school children surveyed were unable to swim 100m unaided and did not retain information about how to save themselves in the water, Ravensbourne School principal Megan Odgers said her pupils were an exception.
She said the pool would officially open on October 24 and pupils would use it every school day until mid-March next year.
''They go swimming a lot more than other schools in Dunedin, because we have our own pool and the opportunity is there for the children to use it.
''We use it as much as possible so we get value for money. It costs a lot to heat.
''That's why we have such a high rate of swimming proficiency.''
Mrs Odgers said by the time her pupils left the school at year 6, the majority of them were able to swim at least 100m.
Her strong views on children being able to swim stemmed partly from personal experiences.
''As a teacher in South Africa, I've had to rescue children before. These two children could swim, but something made them panic and one held on to the other and they both went under.
''My glasses went one way, and I was in the water.''
From that point on, she believed it was not only important for children to learn to swim, but to learn to cope with certain situations involving water, such as escaping a rip.
''We live near water, it's dangerous and you have to know what to do around it.
''It's not something that you fool around with. Accidents happen so quickly and you need to know what to do.''
Mrs Odgers said it was the first time the pool had been painted in five years, and was delighted staff at the nearby Ravensdown Fertiliser plant had volunteered to paint it for the school.
''It looks awesome.''
