Attention stressed-out Year 12 students: did you know you can access the YMCA’s pool and gym facilities for free during your exam period?
The YMCA, or the Y, has been running its ‘Take the Pressure Off’ initiative for the past six weeks, supporting students in NSW and the ACT as they navigate the HSC and their end of year exams. Year 12 students in the ACT have been welcomed for free into the Y-managed facilities across Canberra in the City, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and at Stromlo.
Year 12 students in the Canberra region can access Y-managed facilities for free until the end of November and the completion of their AST exams.
YMCA NSW CEO Susannah Le Bron says the initiative has been designed to support this generation of students, who have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic “most profoundly”, with disruptions to schooling and assessment across the country.
The facilities have been opened up for free to these students to help them relax, recharge and “tap into the incredible healing power of exercise and community connection”.
“After being the guinea pigs for online learning during this critical year, Year 12s are now facing so much uncertainty with the job market constricting, university fees changing, gap year travel plans thrown out the window and social rites of passage moving online or canned,” Ms Le Bron says.
She says “money should never be a barrier to good health”.
“We are proud to be helping young people find a sense of balance, perspective and calm at the Y while completing that final, stressful hurdle of high school.”
Almost 200 students have already taken up the offer across the Y’s facilities in both NSW and the ACT.
YMCA facilities in Canberra can be found at: Stromlo Leisure Centre, Canberra Olympic Pool in the City, Gungahlin Leisure Centre and Lakeside Leisure Centre in Greenway.
