June 23rd 2017

Welcome back to the OSHC blog! I (Sarah) have been away on my final placement for university and have been unable to keep up the blog. But now everything is back to normal, time to get back to writing.

Vacation Care Program is now out. You can find a copy on Dianne’s desk or at the bottom of this post. Please fill it out and return it to one of our staff as soon as possible, as places fill up fast. If you are certain of the dates you need, you are welcome to message them to Dianne, but a booking form must still be returned before the holidays.

One of our excursions these holidays is to Victor Harbor Whale Centre. As part of their efforts to be environmentally conscious they have asked us to collect old jars for an activity. If you have any small jars with lids please bring them in! Thank you in advance.

This week we have been really busy. Wednesdays and Thursdays have been fully booked. If you know you need one of these days. Please let us know as early as possible so we can try fit you in. Likewise, because of the high need for these days, it is vital that parents let us know of cancellations. We cannot give students places at OSHC unless a cancellation is made. If we are not informed in a timely manner, fees are still applicable.

On Wednesday this week we baked cupcakes with two groups. One group made vanilla cupcakes and the other made egg-free chocolate cupcakes. Whenever we do baking at OSHC, we take the time to build up numeracy skills that have been learnt at school. Older students are challenged to read the recipe and try to follow the instructions on their own.

As you collect your children you may find random objects in various places throughout 

OSHC. This is because a group have been playing hide and seek with small objects, this has included plastic animals, parts of games or stuffed toys. See if you can spot the turtle that rides on the back of a cat.

As the slippery dip is ready for use, we need to clarify OSHC rules. Students are welcome to use the slide, but must ask for permission from one of our staff. This is because students are not visible when they go down the slide behind the hill.

We have bought new wool and needles for crafts this season. We are hoping to encourage enough people to knit 10x10 squares and sew them together to make a blanket like this: 

This week our staff had a meeting. The items on the agenda were:

·         ongoing child safety (slippery dip use)

·         Staffing arrangements (Three of our staff have completed uni and are working other           jobs)

·         An upcoming accreditation for the National Quality Framework at our service

·         Discussion of programming activities and routine

·         Parent access to Seesaw

This week we have lots of fun playing Adventure Time: Card Wars. This is different to the Fluxx card game. This one requires the players to use attributes of characters to fight each other and spend points to do so. Players need to calculate their options before they have their turn, they also need to think defensively.

We have been extremely lucky this cold season that it has been relatively dry. This has meant that we have been able to spend lots of time out on the playground and running around on the ovals. As students are here late at night and the temperature drops quite low, we only allow students to go outside after milo if they are wearing long sleeves or a jumper.

If you would like to view your child’s Seesaw posts, please write your name, your child’s name and your e-mail address on a slip of paper and hand to one of the staff.

We look forward to seeing you and your kids at OSHC this week.

WEEK ONE

Monday 10/7/17– Friday 14/7/17

Monday 10th July Home Day – Mobile Science ‘Weird Creatures’ (1.30-2.30pm) Our favourite science ‘nerds’ are back with a new workshop ‘weird creatures’. We discover some amazing facts about some seriously weird creatures. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

Tuesday 11th July HOME day – It’s winter so that means … the games are back!!! We will have our traditional games for the week. Duel driver ‘Daytona’ racer in the SAC, pinball in the homework room and 3 x arcade games in the long room. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

Wednesday 12th July Excursion Day – National Motor Museum, Birdwood. We will leave OSHC at 9.15am and travel by bus to the Motor Museum at Birdwood. We will take part in the ‘Scaletric’ car racing activity and take a self- guided tour around the museum. We will be back at OSHC by 3pm. Please wear warm clothes, it can get really cold in Birdwood!  Please provide lots of snacks, lunch and a drink bottle.

Thursday 13th July  Home Day – puppet making   We will use – socks, felt, buttons, lace, ribbon, paper bags, fabric, glue, thread, markers and any other materials we can find to create our own puppets. In the afternoon we will make some puppet theatres and have a series of puppet shows … what will we make … animals, monsters, aliens, fairies???? Lunch will be provided, please bring lots of snacks.

Friday 14th july Home Day – ‘Animals Anonymous’ (10am) Animals Anonymous will present an interactive and education presentation which includes a crocodile, lizard, possum/sugar glider, snakes and more. The children will get a chance to touch each animal as we learn some interesting and important facts. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

wEEK TWO

Monday 17/7/17– Friday 21/7/17

Monday 17th July Excursion Day – Whale  Centre, Victor Harbor. We will leave OSHC at 9.15am and travel by bus to the Whale Centre at Victor Harbor. We will take part in an educational program and also explore the centre, learning about the whales that we can see during winter. We will be back at OSHC by 2pm. Please wear clothes and shoes appropriate for walking and the weather. Please provide lots of snacks, lunch and a drink bottle

Tuesday 18th July Home Day – Clay Beads, pendants, pots, sculptures, decorations, presents ???? The ideas are almost endless. We will have ‘normal’ clay, ‘air-dry’ clay and a variety of tools to help create amazing things. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.

Wednesday 19th July Home Day – Winter cooking … Soup and Damper We will cook pumpkin soup and pasta and vegetable soup to eat for lunch. To dip in our soup we will make damper. All children will be encouraged to make and try the soup, please provide some ‘back up food’ just in case your child/children decides not to have any. Please provide lots of snacks,

Thursday 20th July Home Day – DIY succulent garden. Using jars/tins/pots, soil, ribbon for decoration, succulents, moss/coloured pebbles we will each make an individual mini garden to take home. Please bring lots of snacks and lunch.

Friday 21st July Home Day – Basket Ball clinic with Dwayne Our favourite original Adelaide 36er’s basketballer player Dwayne Nelson will teach the children some basic basketball skills whilst also teaching the value of being a good winner, loser, team player and always having fun. Please wear suitable clothes and shoes for Basketball. Please provide lots of snacks and lunch.