Welcome to our first ‘OSHC News’ for quite a few months! We are so glad to all be back to some form of normality and whilst are numbers are about half of we had pre COVID that hasn’t stopped us from exploring, creating and having fun at OSHC!

OSHC Garden

Our OSHC garden has had a huge makeover in the last few weeks! It was disappointing to come back after the holidays to find a number of plants ripped out and thrown across the ground. However, with some team work and a bit of hard work the garden is back to looking better than ever with new plants being planted, a bird bath installed, and a freshly painted garden bed all adding to the new look.

We would like to thank Bunnings Mentone for donating $300 in vouchers so that we could purchase a number of items for the garden including a bird bath, an arch and so many new plants.

A HUGE thanks also goes out to our educator Kareem, for putting in so much time and effort even on his days off to ensure the garden continues to thrive!

NAIDOC WEEK 8 – 15 November 2020

The 2020 NAIDOC WEEK theme is “Always Was, Always Will Be”, it acknowledges and celebrates the true history of our country which didn’t begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 or 1606 but rather dates back 65,000+ years!

At BNPS OSHC we have been looking at the Boon wurrung landscape, we have been exploring how the Boon wurrung people used the land, what they hunted and what plants they gathered.

Our educator Matt and the students painted the ‘Wygabil-ny-ewin’ or ‘Eel season’, showing the migration of eels which provided certainty for the Boon wurrung people. Next time you come to pick up/ drop off your children have a look in the front windows to see their amazing displays.

Can you help?

Have you decided on a new ‘theme’ for your Christmas tree? Do you have any spare decorations stored away that you no longer use? We are hoping to get some donations of Christmas decorations so that we can get into the spirit of Christmas early this year and start decorating the room. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Accounts

Just a reminder that accounts need to be paid in full within one week of receiving the statement to avoid cancellations to care. If you are experiencing any difficulties please contact me (Kelly) via email oshc@beaumarisnorthps.vic.edu.au so that we can arrange a payment plan that suits you.

Activity Test

Nationally, the activity test has been eased until 4 April 2021 for Australian families whose employment has been affected by COVID-19. Affected families can access up to 100 hours of subsidised child care, per child, per fortnight.

This support is available for two-parent families, where one or both parents can no longer engage in the same hours of activity as they did before COVID-19, and where both parents are engaging in at least eight hours of recognised activity per fortnight.

Families can apply for the extra hours by using their Centrelink online account through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. Families experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for Additional Child Care Subsidy.

The find child care family helpline is available to help families find care during COVID-19. Call 1800 291 041 from 9am to 5pm (AEDT) on weekdays

Did you know?

We offer Homework Club every afternoon, where children have an opportunity to do their homework in a quite space away from all the noise. We have an educator who is available to help students during this time. If you are interested in joining up please send Kelly an email or speak with Kelly, Amanda or Tamara next time you come in.

Quote of the Fortnight

“History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children” – Nelson Mandela

Feedback

As always, families are welcome to give us feedback about any aspect of the program at any time. We welcome your input. Please feel free to come in and have a chat with Kelly, Tamara or Amanda, send Kelly an email to oshc@beaumarisnorthps.vic.edu.au or leave a feedback note and place in the Feedback box on the sign in table.

Wellbeing

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