Acknowledgement of Country
From the Acting Director
OSHC Acting Director
Welcome to our newsletter for Term 2, 2023
Early this term we sadly said goodbye to Cassie Dwyer Monaghan who recently moved to a new school. Cassie was our OSHC Director for several years and we all wish her well in her new venture.
We also recently welcomed to our OSHC team two new educators. Ellen Duan has joined our team as Assistant Director and Paige Buckingham as an Educator. Both Ellen and Paige have been a wonderful addition to our team.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM!
As a collaborative OSHC team, our staff continue to support our students with exciting learning opportunities. Our weekly themes for Term 2 have varied from ‘Celebrating the King of the Commonwealth, National Road Safety, Educators Choice, Health eating and living, Care for our Environment and Reconciliation Week. The students enjoyed the varied activities.
Our goal as a team is as always to continue to provide our students with quality care and learning/recreational opportunities in a safe and caring environment in both Before School Care and After School Care.
Ms Vicki Costi
OSHC Acting Director
Introducing new OSHC Assistant Director, Ellen.
OSHC Assistant Director
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Ellen. I am from China and love the diverse cultures in Australia. After finishing my Bachelor of Pre-school education in China, I completed Master of Teaching in Early Childhood at University of South Australia in 2019. I have been working with young children at OSHC and schools since graduating from UniSA. Recently, I started a new journey in Bachelor of Psychology and am hoping to become a psychologist in the future. Before that goal is achieved, I enjoy working with children and being a valuable member of this community. I feel honored to join the SAC OSHC community and work with these lovely staff, families and students.
Term 2 Before School Care
This term during before school care, students have been learning about road safety, healthy eating and living, and reconciliation. Students have expanded their knowledge and explored ideas related to those topics through crafts, colouring and educational videos followed by guided conversations. Students have shown continuous interest in the wide variety of topics by being actively engaged in the planned craft activities. It was encouraging to see students participate in the conversations and express their ideas respectfully. It is worth noting that background music seems popular among various age groups. Sometimes they request certain songs to be played in the morning. Occasionally, they do freeze dances to energise themselves before going to school.
Ms Ellen Duan
(Assistant Director)
Being a Voice for Generations
National Reconciliation Week FOCUS
During National Reconciliation Week the students focused on this year’s theme which was ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. This week was a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, while also exploring how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Students participated in conversations about why we celebrate National Reconciliation Week and why the 27 May to the 3 June are the dates used every year and what are their significance to Australia’s history. The student were also given the opportunity throughout the week to colour in pages from the National Reconciliation Week website. This included a page with the theme and an activity page which asked the students to write or draw what they believed a reconciled future would look like in Australia.
The students also participated in craft activities throughout the week including Aboriginal flags with the theme decorated on top and handprints using traditional Aboriginal colours. The student watched animations of Dreamtime stories and participated in crafts relating to them such as ‘How the Birds got their Colours’, ‘Rainbow Serpent’ and ‘How the Turtle got its Shell’. Before School Care students made megaphones out of paper and decorated them. While participating in the craft the students were asked to reflect and discuss how they can share the message of reconciliation in their everyday lives.
Ms Ruby Zada-Boatwright
OSHC Educator
MTOP Outcomes:
2.1: Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and un understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation.
2.2: Children react to diversity with respect.
2.3: Children become aware of fairness.
Nation Road Safety Week
In Week 4 of this term, students were able to partake in National Road Safety Week by engaging with a variety of activities and learning experiences. Both in before school care and after school care, students from all year levels learnt about the many important steps we can take to ensure we are being safe on the roads.
We were able to learn more about the ways we can be safe when riding bikes, such as wearing helmets and watching out for other riders and obstacles. We also learnt about how pedestrians can be safe by using specific crossings and staying to the left of walking paths.
The students completed crafts to facilitate learning about what roads look like and the importance of traffic lights. Craft activities also allowed students to begin understanding what it may be like to be a driver on the road when they are older, by creating their very own driver’s license. This was a very valuable topic as students begin to navigate how to be confident and knowledgeable road users.
Ms Chelsea Hore
OSHC Educator
MTOP Outcomes:
1.3: Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities.
2.1: Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation.
2.4: Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment.
Term 1 Vacation Care Program
Another successful Vacation Care Program was enjoyed by many students!
During the Term 1 Vacation Care Program, the students enjoyed an array of activities offered in the OSHC Centre as well as some excursions. The excursions included a morning tea at the ever so popular Glover playground in North Adelaide. The other two excursions were to Nova Cinemas in Prospect where students watched the movies 'Árgonuts’ and the 'Super Mario Brothers movie'.
Our OSHC Centre was ever so busy with activities such as Craft Day, Bring Your Wheels Day and a cultural day of activities focusing on New Zealand, where students were immersed in cultural activities, songs, dance, food, crafts and cooking.
We concluded our program with a celebration of ‘National Superheroes Day’ where students came dressed as their favourite superhero and enjoyed the many activities of the day.
Ms Vicki Costi
Acting Director
Stay Tuned!
