Thursday, 24 November 2016

November 25th 2016

Please see the bottom of this post for a personal message from Dianne. 

Spring has finally arrived!  

With such beautiful weather we have spent most of our time outside.
Monday was a really interesting night. We started by challenging people to be blind folded and find their way around. But this soon evolved into a big discussion about being blind and other impairments. Many of the kids had lots of fun trying to navigate by feeling their way, but others soon became disgruntled and understood that blindness can be life long and would be very frustrating at different times.

In the SAC this week we have had a variety of sports plus lots of hula hoop practise. Each day someone brings a new trick to try out and teaches others. It is really cool to see their repertoire being added to.  

If you want to learn some new hula hoop tricks check this video out!

We had two baking nights this week. Both nights we had vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Normally we try to sneak in some fruit in the frosting or the cake! Both nights we had gluten-free and egg-free batches to accommodate for different student needs. We are finding it really interesting how using specialty ingredients change the end product.

It seems that loom bands are back again! We have had some great bracelets, rings, necklaces and whole hand master pieces! Aside from craft we have also had some great art work. Unfortunately we can’t show you their work because they used their own photos. But here is an example of what they were doing.

Later in the week we had some fun problem solving. We found money and sports equipment down a drain. This of course posed a fabulous challenge. Children designed different hooks, poles with sticky tape and other contraptions to retrieve the items. Meanwhile on the mini oval a group of girls started to teach themselves partner acrobatic tricks. These tricks take a lot of cooperation and team work through discussing movements and placements of bodies.

We have started having more and more children bring bikes, scooters and skateboards to OSHC in the afternoon. It is great to see people trading rides, and giving different things a go. A favourite conversation to hear is the different types of bikes that we see. Bmx, Mountain bikes and classic cruisers seem to be the most popular. We love talking about differences in shape, types of tyres, riding styles and the uses of each bike.

For our Pupil-free day we were so entertained with Maya’s musical routines that she taught to lots of students. It was complete with music, singing, dialogue and so much dancing to a song from Matilda. The children were so inspired that we just had to watch the film in the long room.

Outside we took advantage of the good vibes and just chilled out in hammocks and cubby houses that we made. Most of the time everyone spent time listening to show tunes and requests from the children. Unfortunately many ‘ear worms’ crept into the mix, with classics like What did the fox say, PPAP and Banana dance ‘Peel the banana’.

As a way of remembering such a fabulous year we have started a finger print tree, which we will add to over the next couple of weeks.

The January Vacation Care program is now available. Just a friendly reminder, priority goes to bookings where parents are working. If you want to book in for a fun day we can place you on a waiting list to ensure families that are truly in need get first priority.

 WEEK ONE
Monday 16/1/17– Friday 20/1/17
Monday 16th January

Home Day  –  Summer cooking using seasonal fruits & vegetables (with Sarah)
Using fruits and vegetables in season and with input and ideas from the children we will make – smoothies, icecream and juices. We will be enjoying our treats as we make them.                 
Please bring lots of snacks and lunch.

Tuesday 17th January

Excursion Day – Central Market (9-2)
We will leave OSHC at 9am and travel by train and tram to the Central Market. At the market we will divide into smaller groups to explore. Each group will be tasked to find a food that no-one has tried before (last time we bought samphire, kangaroo fritz and lychees).
We will return to OSHC by 2pm
Please wear appropriate shoes for walking, bring some money ($10 max, no junk food/soft drink will be bought) and a bag to carry your belongings and purchases.
Please provide snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.
Wednesday 18th January

Home Day – Soccer Clinic with Damian (9-3)
Damian will lead a clinic that teaches basic ball handling skills, soccer rules, the role of each position and end with a match.
Lunch will be provided, please provide lots of snacks.
Thursday 19th January

Home day – Stop go Animation (am)
We will taking part in a computer animation workshop we will be using ipads and a stop-go animation program. The children will be using photos of themselves and placing them in a scenario (circus/jungle. The individual animation will be joined together to make a story that we will all watch on a big screen.
Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.
Friday 20th January

Home Day – Circus Elements (am)
Scott from Circus Elements will be her to teach some basic circus skills – plate spinning, stilt walking and juggling.
Please wear appropriate shoes and clothes for physical activity.
Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

wEEK TWO
Monday 23/1/17– Friday 27/1/17
Monday 23rd January
Home Day – Basketball with Dwayne (pm)
Our favourite ex 36’s basketball player Dwayne will involve the children in a clinic that introduces and teaches ball skills, hand-eye coordination, accuracy, communication, team building and having fun.
Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes for sport.
Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

Tuesday 24th January

Home day – Pot plants
Each child will get a pot to decorate and plant with a selection of herbs and flowers (parsley, chives, thyme, violas, coriander). We will talk about the different flowers and herbs. The children will take their miniature gardens home.
Lunch will be provided, please provide lots of snacks.
Wednesday 25th January

Excursion Day – Gorge Wildlife Park
We will leave OSHC at 9am and travel by bus to Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek. We will take part in a Koala patting and snake touching session. We will also explore the park looking at dingoes, monkeys, eagles, camels, kangaroos and much more. We will be at OSHC by 3pm.
Please wear clothes appropriate for the weather and walking.
Please provide lots of snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.
Thursday 26th January

Public Holiday
No Vacation Care


Friday 27th jANUARY

Home Day – Mobile Science ‘In your guts!’ (am)
Our favourite nerds are back with a new show about the digestive system, expect some gross smells!!
Please provide lots of snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.



Dear Parents,
 I will be on sick leave from Monday 28th November until the end of the year. While I'm away Sarah will be running things. Sarah will have the OSHC phone and be checking emails. We have had huge information sharing sessions..but... there maybe something   I forgot to pass on! So please be kind :) I will come and visit before Christmas during Vac Care but to those of you I don't see - have a lovely break, working with and caring for your children is a delight. See you next year,  Dianne xoxo