Maya's Blog September 16th

Hi all :) My name is Maya, and welcome to my first blog post! As a final year primary education student, I must demonstrate ways to communicate with parents and carers, as well as use ICT effectively. I hope I can do Sarah's posts justice!

We have had a lot of wet weather this week , so we spent lots of time inside and in the SAC. The foosball and pool tables have been extra popular this week, and we have been learning the rules of the games and all of the ways that we can play them. We have also been practicing how to be a gracious winner or loser, and that what matters most is that we have fun and get along with one another.

Our first rainy day began on Monday, so we had lots of activities happening indoors, including foosball and pool games, and making mandalas. We also played some episodes of Pokémon in the long room, which has been very popular. These Pokémon episodes had our staff feeling rather nostalgic, and took us back to our primary school day when we used to watch them on TV before school! It has been great to share these memories with the children.

On Tuesday we got to use the SAC, where groups of children were making lip syncing music videos! They got a glimpse into what it is like to be a music video star or producer, and worked very well as a team to create a video that they are proud of. There was also some gymnastics practice happening in the SAC, where we watched some instructional videos to improve our skills, while thinking about each of our body parts and the role that they play in gymnastics. We also practiced basketball, and continued playing foosball and pool.

The weather on Wednesday was especially rainy and windy, but luckily we got to use the SAC after basketball practice! In there, we played some basketball and volleyball games, as well as practicing gymnastics using the mats. We remembered to always keep a growth mindset if we miss that goal or drop that ball – practice helps you grow! We watched some more episodes of Pokémon, continued playing foosball and pool, played Uno, and baked some chocolate chip biscuits with Sarah. Yum!

The rain eased up on Thursday, which gave us some much needed outdoor time! We had a game of marks up, as well as use of the playground and sports equipment. We also used the SAC for basketball and gymnastics practice with Tom and Damian, as well as the ever-popular foosball and pool tables. We continued with these activities on Friday, when we were lucky enough to have some sunshine!

School holidays are just around the corner. Have you collected your Vacation Care program yet? Have a look at the picture at the end of this post, come and collect one at OSHC, and see Dianne to make your bookings. But hurry, places are filling quickly!

Pokémon has become extremely popular within the last few weeks, with children quickly building up their collection of Pokémon cards. This has been wonderful to see and a great talking point for all, but after having some issues with unfair trading of cards, we have decided to have a no trading policy at OSHC. Most children should be aware of this, but please remind your child/children about this new policy.

As always, the Wii and computers have been getting lots of use, especially with this week’s weather! We have a policy at OSHC that each child gets to play one turn, and watch one turn. After that, they must spend the rest of their time away from screens. We have this policy to teach children about sharing and taking turns, being considerate of others, and to ensure that they are spending lots of time socializing and interacting with their peers. Our ICT devices are for entertainment only and do not have much educational value, which is another reason why we limit the time each child spends on them.

On an exciting note, OSHC will soon be getting a brand new veranda! It is being built above the door that leads into the craft and kitchen area – have a look out for its progress when you visit us next! We are really looking forward to when our veranda is built, as it will give us an outdoor area to use even when it’s raining or very hot.

Check this video out if you get the chance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzjuQoNM534

We have been talking about the Paralympics and all of the amazing things humans of all shapes and sizes can achieve when we have a 'yes I can' attitude'. This video was recommended by numerous children who have watched it in class.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Maya

 WEEK ONE

Monday 3/10/16– Friday 17/10/16

Monday 3rd October Public Holiday

Tuesday 4th October Excursion day – Migration museum We will leave OSHC at 9am and travel by train to the Migration Museum on Kintore Ave. We will take part in a program that introduces the children to the history of migration to South Australia. We will then spend some time playing near the Parade grounds (rolling down the big grass hill) and eat our lunch. We will be back at OSHC by 2pm Please wear appropriate shoes for walking, please provide snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.

Wednesday 5th October Home Day – cubbies and tents We will provide cubby/tent making materials (sheets, poles, rope etc) and assist the children to make cubbies and tents. If the weather is nice this will be outside and we will also put up the hammocks. Lunch will be provided. Please provide lots of snacks

Thursday 6th October Excursion Day – The old Adelaide Goal (tbc) We will leave OSHC at 9am and travel by train and tram to the old Adelaide Goal. We will take part in an educational program about the history of the goal. We will also get time to look around by ourselves. We will then spend some time talking to the police greys and playing in the playground. We will be back at OSHC by 3pm. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothes for walking and playing in the playground. Please provide snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.

Friday 7th October Home Day – ‘Stay Active’ program (am) The people from ‘Stay Active’ will involve us in a program of fun, fitness, skills and activity. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothes for physical activity. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch

wEEK TWO

Monday 10/10/16– Friday 14/10/16

Monday 10th October Home Day – Spray Art Using spray bottles filled with paint we will produce several group art works. After the paint is dry we will embellish and highlight with sharpies and glitter. Please wear old clothes, we will endeavour to keep the paint on the canvas but can’t promise! Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

Tuesday 11th October Excursion day – ‘the adventures of broer & Zus’ at the star theatre We will leave OSHC at 10am and travel by bus to the Star Theatre at Thebarton. We will see a live performance that in ‘an adventure for anyone with a sense of humour and imagination, a concoction of circus, music and comedy’. We will be back at OSHC by 1pm. Please provide lunch and snacks.

Wednesday 12th October Home Day – Cooking We will bake a variety of cupcakes (vanilla, chocolate, lemon) and everyone will get a chance to decorate there’s in their own way. One cake will be eaten for afternoon tea and the others taken home. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch

Thursday 13Th October At Home Day - Clay Using clay and das (air dry clay) we will sculpture … ‘anything’! Pots, beads, tiles, figurines … the options are only limited by imagination. Lunch will be provided. Please provide lots of snacks.

Friday 14th October Excursion Day – Adventure playground, Belair National Park We will leave OSHC at 9.45am and travel by bus to Belair National Park. At the adventure playground it will be free play. We will return to OSCH by 1.30pm Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes for climbing, running and being active. Please provide lots of snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.