Family Learning Centre Update
March 2021
THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
HELLO EVERYONE
It continues to be a hive of activity at the Early Learning Centre.
I must have one of the best jobs in the world seeing some of the most beautiful children come for care, learning and play every day.
We are now in good routines across all rooms and kindergarten years.
Like the whole college, we have had lots of learning, play, books and songs about different cultures. We even made flags to wave.
We celebrated Harmony Day at the ELC by dressing in national costume or wearing orange. Then we started our session with a healthy breakfast, that we shared with our families at the Family Centre. Next, we painted flags from our different countries of origin, and finished the day by singing with Jo from Hey Dee Ho Music!
We have also been looking at good food to make us big and strong
Community Hubs English Conversation Classes
If you know of Culturally and Linguistically diverse person who wants to improve their english then invite them to the sessions at our Community Hubs!
They are free and really helpful to our new Australian families.
THE FAMILY LEARNING CENTRE
Hello everyone, especially the playgroupers - it’s great to be back!
The Family Centre has been wonderfully busy – so much activity! What a joy to see so many excited and energetic children racing through the Family Learning Centre doors to their playgroup, childcare and kinder programs each day, and their happy loving parents doing their best to keep up with them! You have got to have a laugh!
ROTARY 100 ‘DOWN UNDER’ PEACE POLE PROJECT
We hosted a very special event, the Kardinia Rotary Club breakfast meeting at the Family Centre. Rotary in Australia and NZ is celebrating the First 100 years of Community Service in 2021. In a joint Centenary project Northern Bay College has been invited by Rotary Clubs Kardinia and Corio Bay to become involved in the Rotary 100 Peace Pole project.
Ken Massari was presented with 4 Peace Poles for our four campuses with Primary school aged children who join many hundreds across the world with this common link. Each pole reflects the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” symbolising our common wish for a World at Peace.
The peace message is written in four languages, one on each side of the 4-sided Peace Pole. In our case the Poles have English, Swahili, Arabic, Urdu, Karen, Dari and Tamil, representing some of the cultural diversity of Northern Bay College. It’s really a special time to celebrate. For more about this see
The Peace Poles have been positioned on campus to coincide with the College's unveiled as part of Harmony Day celebrations
Following on from this was the formal presentation of the College Captains and the winner of the 2020 Rotary Achievement and Inspiration Awards. Student recipients of these awards gave a short introduction, thanking the Kardinia Rotary Club members.
Award recipients included (left to right) Mar Ner Ku, Stephen Kennedy, Luke Graham and Leif Wellington. So proud to be at this college with such engaging students!
Whether you are a first-time mum or new dad, or young parent returning to school, or maybe juggling work, as well as playgroup, childcare, Kinder and school routines, parenting can be great but it can also be challenging.
Did you know the Family Centre provides a whole range of services including parenting information, resources, courses and supports to new young parents and parents of young children under 5, as well as for multicultural families?
Drop in for a chat and a cuppa with any one of our friendly team at the Family Centre. Or come say hi, and find out what everyone is doing! Join us for a parent and child story time, craft and play in the sensory garden. We always have time for you. See our new “What’s on at the Family Centre” calendar
Playgroups for all – celebrating our cultural diversity
Activities at playgroup are free and may include: music and singing, imaginative play, outdoor and free play, art and craft activities and outings. Family Centre playgroups and activities are free and facilitated by trained and experienced playgroup leaders.
Community hubs activities
The Community hubs activities specifically support migrant and refugee women, pre-school children and their families. Parents and children enjoy new social supports and friendships, as well as sharing of practical information about health, nutrition and child development and well-being. Importantly for our multicultural playgroup supports parent and child bilingual language development and provides fun and friendly early learning experiences that promote positive pathways to kindergarten and primary school.
For more information about English conversation classes and other activities each term, contact our Community Hubs Leaders, Neema at the Family Learning Centre and Yineth at Peacock Campus.
Interested in joining a playgroup? Be sure to inquire and make a booking with your playgroup or group activity facilitator for every person over 12 months of age attending.
Wishing good health, smiles and happiness to you and your families and happy harmony day.
Sincerely,
Helen O’Connor, Coordinator, NBC Family Learning Centre/ ph. 5224 9791
Whats on at the Family Centre?
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