Grading

How it works

Our recreational divers follow our Star Awards, which start at level 1 and go up to 10. Each level has a number of skills the diver must show they are competent at. They must pass all the skills in the level to be able to move on to the next one.

The divers work on these skills throughout term. The coaches make an initial assessment halfway through term. They do it using an app called CoursePro, which parents can later access via a portal. Need portal access? Please email Lisa, our administrator, at lisa@stardiving.org

The next and last time coaches can update grading on the system is around three weeks before the end of term. After this, badges and certificates are posted to those who have passed the level. Where a diver may need to move up, they could be offered a new class.

The CoursePro app allows a coach to select one of the following four markers for each skill:

Not assessed - Teacher has not taught it yet or diver is not ready to learn it.

No pass - Diver has tried it but it is either unsafe or nowhere near the correct standard.

Fair - Diver is starting to understand the skill and occasionally gets it right, but there are still some fundamental problems: bent legs, legs apart, arms not getting all the way through, floppy entry, etc.

Good - The skill is nearly ready. More often than not it is performed right but occasionally it still needs some correction on fundamental technique.

Pass - Consistent over more than just one session, and does the skill safely to an acceptable standard with no fundamental issues in technique.

Our levels have been curated to help the divers move through the skills safely and with the correct skill chains and movements in mind. This allows better preparation, safety and correct tehnique for when the harder dives in the higher levels are learnt.

How long will it take?

A $64,000 question. There is no 'one size fits all' answer - because everyone progresses at a different rate and how they grasp the skills at each level can vary from one person to the next. So while it could take a child one term to pass a level, it may take another several or even longer. As a diver progresses and the skills get harder, they are likely to need more time to be able to learn and pass more complex skills. Be assured that a coach will be doing their best to help a diver pass a level, and be patient while they work towards achieving these goals.

Stuck on a skill?

If your diver is stuck or afraid of a certain skill, it may be worth booking some 121 sessions where a coach can give them individual attention and try to help them overcome or improve the obstacle.

Click here for further information about 121s.