Community News

Altona College Run4Fun Colour Explosion

Did you know that our Run4Fun Colour Explosion fundraiser is online only? All cash donations need to be converted to online donations using a credit or debit card before the platform closes at 11.59PM tonight, Friday November 24.

Here’s how to convert your donations:

1. Count up all your cash donations.

2. Make a donation on your online profile page using a credit or debit card, equal to the value of your cash donations.

3. Keep the cash!

If you don’t have an online profile page yet, it's not too late to create one at www.australianfundraising.com.au. LAST DAY TO FUNDRAISE!

We are looking for more volunteers to help at the event next Friday December 1, anytime between 10am-3:45pm. Volunteers must have a valid WWCC. Please email Sarah Prismall at altonafundraisingcommittee@gmail.com if you are interested.

Several amazing local businesses have generously donated vouchers to support our fundraising efforts. These vouchers will be offered as 'Silent Auction' items both virtually for those who cannot attend the event in the days prior, and at the event itself. More information (and a Google Form link to place a bid) will be on Compass early next week. So far the auctions include vouchers from ClimbWest, JP Evermore Photography, Pier 71, and Altona Sports Club. Thank you also to Science in Public for making a cash donation to the school.

Parents a task for you this weekend - don't forget to organise a WHITE T-SHIRT for your child to wear next Friday please if you haven't already.

Checklist for December 1:

Wear a white t-shirt, and comfortable clothes. Runners or sneakers are also recommended.
This is a community event, so please come along! The event will be on the oval from 1-3pm
Bring cash for Mr Fresh Icecream Truck and the Coffee Van
There will be a volunteer-run Stall offering Christmas gifts, silent auctions items, lollies, chocolates, and fairy floss! All proceeds will add to the fundraising total. Please consider sending some cash with your children.
Be SunSmart. We'll be outside for several hours, in the peak of the day. Sunburn is not the colour we want to see!
Be prepared for surprises, laughter, and a good dose of fun!

Looking forward to getting colourful next Friday!

Run4Fun Colour Explosion Event Sponsor

BikeSpot

Did you know in the past 40 years, the percentage of children who walk or ride to school has dropped from 75% to 25%? One of the top reasons why parents hold their kids back from riding to school is because of safety concerns.

The Amy Gillett Foundation is Australia’s leading cycling safety organisation. They are dedicated to making bike riding safe for everyone in the community and making it easier for people to choose to ride a bike.

One part The Amy Gillett Foundation, is the BikeSpot program, which is an interactive map that allows anyone to mark where they feel safe or unsafe while riding their bike. You can view the map and make your mark at: bikespot.org or via the QRG on the flyer below

Williamstown Sailing Club - Summer holiday sailing for teens

Summer holiday sailing courses for teenagers at Williamstown Sailing Club are now open for booking! Try something new and #DiscoverSailing

Learn 2 Sail 4 Teens: 16-18 January, 9am-4pm

This Australian Sailing accredited courses take you from beginner to knowing the fundamentals of dinghy sailing. Open to all 12-17 year olds, you don't have to have sailed before!For any younger brothers or sisters, we are also running Tackers, which is a fun games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7 to 12. It's a great introductory program for kids to allow them to try sailing in a friendly, protective and fun environment. TACKERS is all about having a great time with other kids, playing loads of games and going on adventures while learning how to sail together.

TACKERS 1 – Having Fun: 8-12 January, 8.30am-12.30pm
TACKERS 2 – Tricks & Techniques: 8-12 January, 1pm-4pm
TACKERS 1 – Having Fun: 15-19 January, 8.30am-12.30pm
TACKERS 2 – Tricks & Techniques: 15-19 January, 1pm-4pm
TACKERS 1 – Having Fun: 22-25 January, 9am-2pm
TACKERS 2 – Tricks & Techniques: 22-25 January, 9am-2pm

The courses cost $280, or $224 for WSC sailing members (plus $20 Australian Sailing booking fee). Booking is via the club website - www.williamstownsailingclub.org.au/events. If you've got any questions, please get in touch by email training@williamstownsailingclub.org.au

Supported Playgroups

https://www.mackillop.org.au/programs/supported-playgroups

MacKillop’s supported playgroups provide a fun, social outlet for parents, carers and their children. The playgroups provide parents and carers with the opportunity to meet socially and for their children to enjoy activities that encourage their development and social skills.

MacKillop’s supported playgroups are available to families living in Melbourne’s metropolitan western region. With a focus on multicultural families, the playgroups bring together children and their families of different cultures. Staff at the playgroup can connect parents and families to MacKillop's parenting teams and support the community.

MacKillop provides guest speakers throughout each term to speak on topics parents have told us they would find helpful to hear.

The playgroups are free to attend and morning tea is provided. Bookings are not required. The playgroups are available to families (parents and carers) of pre-school aged children at the following location:

Braybrook Community Hub

107-139 Churchill Avenue

Braybrook VIC 3019

10am – 12pm every Thursday during school terms

Footscray Playgroup

MacKillop Family Services

116 - 122 Commercial road

Footscray VIC 3011

10am – 12pm every Tuesday during school terms

Enquire: Regional Parenting Service regionalparentingservice@mackillop.org.au

03 9680 8444

Fear-Less Triple P program

for assistance with managing anxieties

Coming to the end of the year, we know that anxiety can be seen kicking in for some students (and families!). The Federal Australian Government has now fully funded the Fear-Less Triple P program online, to support parents.

Triple P is one of the few parenting programs in the world with evidence to show it works. There are (literally hundreds of) trials and studies to show Triple P works for most families, in many different cultures, and in many different family situations. Triple P Online is also the first online parenting program proven to work. The program is focused on helping parents to learn a variety of cognitive behavioural strategies for anxiety management, encouraging them to apply these themselves for all their children. It is a useful tool for engaging parents (or caregivers) of children with anxiety aged from 6 to 14 years.

WHAT IS COVERED IN THE SESSIONS?

Session 1: Anxiety – what is it and how does it develop?

Session 2: Promoting emotional resilience in children

Session 3: Encouraging realistic thinking

Session 4: Understanding avoidance

Session 5: Parental strategies for responding to children’s anxiety

Session 6: Constructive problem solving – how to promote it and maintain gains

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The Fear-Less Triple P Online course has 6 modules. Each module of the Triple P Online Course only takes about 30 minutes to an hour. You don’t need to do it all in one block, either. Some people prefer to just do ten or fifteen minutes a day.

The link to sign up is: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/fear-less-triple-p-online/

For any enquiries or concerns around the program please contact triple P directly, contact details are listed here: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/contact/contact-us/