Family Learning Centre
November 2025
Welcome to NBC Family Learning Centre
And what a happy and fabulously fun and busy start to term 4.
We have made the most of the sunny, rainy, windy and cloudy days
There are no bad weather days here!
Geelong Children’s Week 2025
A celebration of fun, family & connection Children’s Week is a national celebration, which this year was held between 11 and 26 October 2025 and recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children.
Nature Playday – “Ngubitj bulayt bengadak” (Water Connects Us All)
24 October was our Children’s Week celebration. The Family Learning Centre hosted a variety of earth friendly hands-on activities
Children’s Week evolved as a global celebration of the Rights of Children. A community of young and young at heart all enjoyed exploring new sustainable earth friendly nature activities led by Jess and team from EcoAdventure Incursions.
Photos of all our Community and local Family Service partners, including Krista, Rob, Claire and Sally from Meli, and Sarah and Catherine from City of Greater Geelong Family Services, and Zoe and Julie from Corio Library. Of course Narelle from Community Hubs, Helen and Lani with Danni of Parent Pathways
EcoAdventure activities included flower printing and petal potions, gardening with edible plants and worm farming Children loved experiencing traditional painting and face painting with Ochre with our friends from Wathaurong Also making nature head bands celebrating with Bec from Wayapa. Children especially enjoyed music and dance with Hey Dee Ho music, and giant bubbles with Krista from Meli ! and the many many different water and play experiences.,
A huge thankyou for all the fun!!
News from Barrabin, (K3) Perridak (K3/4) and Kurrman (K4) rooms “Our Kinder Team”
Meet our wonderful Kindergarten educators and assistants.
- K3 teacher Sunita and Education Leader Tegan (Barribin room)
- K3 & 4 teacher Tejas (TJ) and Ankita (Perridak room)
- K4 teacher Joanne and Melba (Kurrman Room)
Celebrating Children’s Week with NBC year 10 students
Our Kinder children have been busy celebrating and connecting with the Northern Bay College Year 10 and 11 students. Children were excited to be treated to a special excursion to Goldsworthy Campus – a puppet performance of the Hungry Caterpillar by the IMPACT students in the new Theatre at Goldworthy campus.
The Year 9 and10 IMPACT students from NBC have been busy with the 4 yo kindergarten this term. Led by Amanda Baulch at NBC they also helped the Kinder children to learn how to make their own life size paper puppets in the Theatre room to take home. The next day NBC IMPAT students came to kinder for more fun with sensory activities –
Lots of celebration and memories from Children’s Week 2025!
News from Family Centre Playgroups
Join the fun each week 9:30 – 11:00 am.
Weekly crafts, music and activities are friendly, fun and free. All welcome.
We support parents and carers to create safe and connected environments for their children.
Meli offers assistance to parents, carers and their children aged 0-12 years through the Connect Up program.
There is a co-located Meli, Family Services Early Help Worker attending the Family Centre 4 days a week Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Please drop in or make an appointment to see Sally or Krista between 9 – 4pm.
check out Meli’s website:
https://www.meli.org.au/support-families-parents-carers/supported-playgroups/
We have 4 wonderful and diverse supported playgroups at the Family Centre, for parents and carers with children from 0-5 years, all are facilitated, fun and free!
Each playgroup provides a safe and welcoming space for all parents with preschool children, to come together, to share quality time and socialise, encouraging children’s learning and development through play in a group environment.
Celebrating our diversity of cultures and forming positive relationships and friendships between local multicultural parents and their young children in our local community.
| Monday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
9:30-11 am. Connect Up Playgroup
Contact Sally, Meli
A Supported Playgroup for parent/ carers with children 0-5yrs.
| 1:30 – 3 pm Bumps to Bubs (pre-birth – 12 m) Contact Krista, Meli Bringing young new parents and their babies together for fun, learning and friendship in a relaxed setting. Assisting parents with managing and enjoying the toddler years
| 10- 11:30 Bubs to Tots (12 m – 2+ yrs)
Contact Krista, Meli
Brings mothers (up to 24 years) of young children in the one-to-two-year age group together for support and education. Assist parents with managing and enjoying the toddler years
| 9:30- 11 am. “Friday Friends” Multicultural Playgroup\ and Sunshine Circles
Contact Helen and Lani
A Supported Playgroup for multicultural parents/ carers and their young children 0-5yrs.
|
Community Hubs News
We are having a wonderful Term 4 in the Community Hub with new families joining our programs each week.
What’s on in the Community Hub in Term 4:
- FREE weekly Yoga classes supported by Reclink
- A new Learn to Ride – Women’s Cycling Program supported by Local Impact (this program is currently full)
- Services Australia Drop-in Session Friday 21st November 12.30pm – 2pm
- $100 Power Saving Bonus Session – support to help eligible families apply Monday 24th November 12pm – 2pm. Thanks to our partners Cloverdale Community Centre & Corio Library
- Safe Transportation of Children Information Session Friday 5th December 12pm – 2pm
- Services Australia Scams & Frauds Information Session Monday 8th December 12.30pm – 2pm
We have welcomed some new volunteers to our Toy Library but still require a volunteer for Monday’s from 2-3pm. So if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Narelle.
Stay happy, healthy and well – Summer is just around the corner!
Helen O’Connor, FLC Coordinator, 5224 9791
Lani Victoria, SRF Coordinator 5224 9780
Narelle Smith-Haslett, Community Hub Leader, 5224 9783
Toni Hanlon, FLC Manager 54224 9790