Yesterday, pupils at the Dunedin school took part in their first water safety lesson, as part of a pilot programme the school is trying.
Principal Greg MacLeod said a ski trip sparked the idea.
"I noticed inland schools often spend their winter months skiing in their local environment," he said.
"We provide sailing for our seniors, but we weren't actually taking full advantage of our natural environment and our beach to provide water safety education."
The weekly lessons, which will take place in terms one and four, will be taught by Mr MacLeod, a volunteer surf lifeguard, and St Clair surf lifeguard Isaac Davies.
The first lesson involved getting the children to get stuck in and handle mud, seaweed and cockles.
"We're getting them to touch and feel their environment, so when they can't see what's under the water they at least know what's there, because a lot of kids panic, a lot of drownings happen due to panic."
It was all about teaching the children water confidence, he said.
