All pupils from years 5-8 were taken the short distance from the school to the lake and shown how to survive in a real-world outdoor situation.
Health and physical education specialist teacher Grant Hammond said schools are required to teach water safety and swimming, and the previous five safety sessions had been held at Alpine Aqualand before the class headed to the lake.
''This is the first time we have tried the water safety in the lake. We're aiming to make it real for them, particularly because of the number of drownings in our area,'' Mr Hammond said.
''They can swim fine in the pool ... but with the temperature of the lake it is harder and they are finding that.''
Pupils were shown how to fall out of a boat safely, taught the huddle and help position, and completed either a 50m, 100m or 200m survival swim.
On hand were teachers, parents, coastguard representatives, Alpine Aqualand staff and the Queenstown ANZ business banking team who volunteered their time for the day.
Mr Hammond said with the lake being so low, conditions were ''perfect'', though inevitably chilly.
After the swim, children were rewarded with hot chocolate drinks in the library.
