Community News

'Run for Fun Colour Explosion'

The whole school event 'Run for Fun Colour Explosion' was a massive success, students ran, commando crawled, jumped, slipped, and slid around the track. The sliming of the staff at the end went down a treat (as we thought it may).

We are so proud and thankful to our students who feverishly fundraised a whopping $14,838.80, and only $880 short of the overall goal. A massive thank you also, to Altona RSL’s for their very generous $1000 donation. The raised funds will go towards the purchasing of:

Bike Racks x 7 $3,689
Scooter Racks x 1 $1,237
Outdoor Ping Pong Tables x 2 (includes racquets and balls) $1,688.
Gaga Pit (materials) $2,820
Downball Court (concrete) $6,284

The day's success wouldn’t be without mention of our wonderful Fundraising team, and the help of Mr Kelly, Christophe, and Mr McGee for setting up and packing down the obstacles and the course on the day. Please see below some photos of the day

Psychology Assessment Availability

Discovery Psychology is located in Yarraville and are available for various psychology assessments over the summer break for families looking for an assessment.

Hard Quiz Kid Auditions

Hard Quiz is looking for kids who’ll be in Years 5, 6 or 7 in 2024 andwho are experts on a special topic, Applications are now open. Kids will need to fill out the application with their parent /guardian here hardquizkidsauditions.com.au

Scout School Holiday Program

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/

Extend

Term 1, 2024