During their final assessment at Town Beach on April 2, students combined all the skills they have learnt in the classroom and on placement under the watchful eye of teachers, Port Macquarie Lifeguards and local surf lifesavers.

Head of sport at MacKillop College, Erin Denham, said she was proud of what the students have been able to achieve this term.

"We have been doing this program for a few years but this year we have tweaked some parts and the overwhelming majority of students will qualify today which is excellent," Ms Denham said.

"To get their certificates it is a combination of class work and practical application and it has been a whole term in the making, with the support of local surf lifesavers, the council lifeguards and our teachers.

"The students have had to learn skills and boost their fitness levels in order to complete and qualify to attain their surf rescue certificate.

"The hope now is that they go on to get their Bronze Medallion or volunteer with surf lifesavers next season."

Port Macquarie-Hastings head lifeguard, James Turnham said it was important that everyone in the community gets educated on what they can do to help at the beach.

"This term we have been supporting students at MacKillop College to get their surf rescue certificate," Mr Turnham said.

"We have been running them through beach rescue scenarios whether on a board or tube and taking them through drills and signals so they know what to do if someone is in trouble.

"The other part of what we do is educating them to know their limits and if the surf is out of their limit there are other things people can do to help someone in trouble - like making sure the emergency services are called.

"The main thing we teach them is not to panic when they see someone in trouble."

Mr Turnham also said that it was important that people of all ages are beach aware and know how to stay safe in the water.

"Beach and water safety is something that we know is vitally important and so we go into primary schools and teach them about the beach and this program is taking that one step further when students are at an age to be able to help," he said.

"Everyone who lives by the ocean should know what to do if they get in trouble or if they see someone in trouble even if it is just ensuring emergency services are on their way."

Student Cameron Murphy said she had really enjoyed the last term learning how to rescue people in the surf.

"Because the beach is so close there are so many instances when people get in trouble and don't know how to help themselves," Cameron said.

"I really didn't want to be in that situation so I am glad that I have been able to get my surf rescue certificate.

"I love coming to the beach and it means that now when I come I feel confident to go out in the water and I would be able to help someone if they needed it."

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