Family Learning Centre

June 2025

Welcome to NBC Family Learning Centre

Welcome to mid- winter and oh what a fabulous term 2 at the Family Learning Centre. This week we celebrate Refugee Week 2025 across all program areas. We gratefully acknowledge the vital role community plays in all our lives and the Refugee Council of Australia theme of Finding Freedom. 

 

The Family Learning Centre provides such a space where everyone can feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear or judgment and where aspirations find direction and support.

 

 

 

This Refugee Week we celebrated the diversity that makes our community so special with our entire NBC FLC services.

 

All week staff, parents and children were invited to share cultural food, and dress in cultural costume or colour that represent their country flag.

 

Meet Tejas (TJ) (ECT) &Paw (Trainee in Perridak room kinder 3 & 4)
Meet Tejas (TJ) (ECT) &Paw (Trainee in Perridak room kinder 3 & 4)

 

 

Play-Based Learning at 3 and 4 year olds Kindergarten programs

We recognise Play as the first language of children, our early years team of educators are dedicated to providing play-based daily learning opportunities not only because children love it but also because it is the foundation to become confident lifelong learners. 

 

 

School Readiness Funded programs 

Sunshine Circles

Sunshine Circles is one of Kindergarten’s School Readiness Funded (SRF) Programs that has been so popular we have implemented across all early year’s services and programs including Playgroups, Long Daycare and Kindergarten groups 3 & 4 year olds. Sunshine Circles is a structured facilitated circle group that is personal, physical, and social.  All educators at NBC Early Learning Centre are trained facilitators in Sunshine Circles / Theraplay.  Each week we emphasise learning and sharing songs and turn taking through games. 

Kurmann 4K - are learning to take turns, share songs and play games
Kurmann 4K - are learning to take turns, share songs and play games

Children quickly learn the 3 main Group Rules of Sunshine Circles –

No Hurts, stick together - and most importantly -  Have Fun 😊

 

3 Kurmann 4K - are learning to take turns, share songs and play games

 

Join the fun with “Friday Friends” Multicultural playgroup – 

Each week 9:30 – 11 

Language is no barrier to friendship!

We each bring and share our individual cultures 

songs, stories   and music into our playgroup. 

Friday Playgroup – sharing cultural songs with parents and children    - our excursion to the library


Community Hubs News

It has been a wonderful term 2 in the Community Hub with lots of activities.

We still have some spaces available for Women’s English classes, so if you are interested, please contact Narelle.

We are currently seeking Volunteers in the Community Hub:

  • Toy Library Volunteers
  • Childminding Volunteers

If  you can share an hour or 2 per week, we would love to hear from you!

 

Celebrating our Community partnerships

We are very excited that we have a wonderful partnership with Leisure Networks, Swimming Victoria, MELI and Barwon Health who are supporting a women’s swimming program.

 

During the last week of term 2 we will have 20 women participating in their first swimming lessons and completing an intensive swimming program. We can’t wait for this!

Community Hubs celebrating new ‘swimming lessons for women’ program

 

Finally, on behalf of the Family Learning Centre Leadership team we are very sad to say good bye to Mandy Minhas, ELC Director, friend and colleague. Mandy leaves us at the end of this month to undertake another huge challenge, supporting the rollout of a major government initiative the opening of 50 new government early learning centres across Victoria, in partnership with Early Learning Victoria.

 

Congratulations to Mandy, and all the very best to you in your new adventures after a very busy 3 ½ years of leadership at Northern Bay College Early Learning Centre. 

 

😊 Stay happy, healthy and well this winter and have a fun school holidays in July 5-19.

  • Helen O’Connor, FLC Coordinator, 5224 9791
  • Mandy Minhas , ELC Director, 5224 9784
  • Narelle Smith-Haslett, Community Hub Leader, 5224 9783
  • Toni Hanlon, FLC Manager and Pedagogical Leader, 54224 9790


 


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