Community News
OLA Parish Knitting Group
The Knitting Group would like to thank everyone who supported us on Friday at our stall. With your help we have been able to give St Vincent de Paul Cheltenham $1240. The Plant stall has also been able to give Vinneys $445. This money will come in very handy at this time of the year when they are will be getting the Hampers ready.
School Banking update from Commonwealth Bank
For 90 years, our School Banking program has helped children learn about money, reinforced the importance of regular savings and provided structure for parents to support their children to save.
Though the program continues to have strong support from schools, parents and teachers, recent decisions by some state and territory governments because of a review by the corporate regulator mean we are unable to continue providing programs in schools, and we have had to make a difficult decision to close our School Banking program for all government and non-government schools across the country.
Our School Banking program was established in 1931 at a time when having a bank account was not commonplace, and since then we have helped more than 15 million Australians take their first financial steps. This would not have been possible without the wonderful support we have received from schools like yours, including all the parents and volunteers, and for this we are deeply grateful. Thank you.
Even though this is a sad time, School Banking has taught so many young Australians, past and present, the value of money and we believe this should be celebrated. We have created a place for you to share your stories, fondest memories and lessons learnt through the program. To share your story and access our financial education resources, please visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking
Even though the CommBank School Banking program will not be returning to your school after this year, you can continue to make deposits into your child’s Youthsaver account through online transfers or at any CommBank branch. If you need further information please phone 132 221 or visit your local CommBank branch.
Kingston Libraries - Tales and Tails Summer Reading Club
We are excited to announce that the annual Summer Reading Club is back at Kingston Libraries for another year. This year our theme is ‘Tales and Tails’. The program is designed to keep kids (independent readers up to age 16) reading over summer to help avoid the ‘summer slide’ that often occurs when kids don’t read as regularly while not at school. There are lots of prizes, rewards and activities associated with the program, starting with a free tote bag containing everything you need to get started and activities to do. Participants need to read 10 books or read for 10 hours (whichever suits each child best) to complete the competition and enter the major prize draw. They can keep reading and enter multiple times to improve their chances of winning.
Major prizes include a Zoos Victoria annual membership, Strike Bowling voucher, LEGO, Apple AirPods, Sovereign Hill family pass, and ArtVo family pass. There are also weekly book and book voucher prizes to win for participating in various activities (such as submitting a book review or completing the bingo card of reading/library challenges), and milestone rewards to collect as you read including bookmarks, stickers and button badges.
There will be lots of activities and events in January to keep the kids busy as well, including visits from authors Samone Amba and Juliet M Sampson, sessions with Story Dogs, animal presentations from Reptile Encounters, Indigenous storytime sessions and over 1,000 take-home craft kits. Also look out for ‘Where’s the Tail?’ at our libraries – find the ‘tail’ and get a treat; drop-in LEGO and green screens to interact with.
We would love your support to promote the program to your school communities. I’ve attached a copy of the two posters associated with the program, plus a photo of the contents of the tote bag participants receive upon registering. I also have physical copies of the main poster should you wish to have one dropped off to your school.
More information will be added to our website and Facebook pages as the program launches –
kingston.vic.gov.au/library/Kids-Place/Kids-Activities-2/Summer-Reading-Club
facebook.com/kingstonlibraries
It all begins on 1 December and runs until 31 January. You can register at any time through the two month period, although there are a limited number of bags on offer so I recommend you get in early.
Shelley Gasperino
City of Kingston
