At Star Club, we offer before, after and vacation care to the children of St Mary St Joseph Primary School since 2014. We aim to create a safe, welcoming space for the children where they can feel a sense of belonging. Creative play, sport and relaxation are the focus of our program. There is also an ASPECT school on the same school grounds, which gives us the privilege of caring for children living with autism.

Our Exceeding rating was earnt with a lot of hard work and dedication from the team and support of our families, children and school community. A special mention goes out to the Nominated Supervisor Gemma Rodriguez Gonzalez who shone in her role. Gemma successfully worked with the team to embedding exceeding practices well before assessment and ratings. Gemma holds high expectations for quality and is task driven – inspiring others around her. A special mention also goes out to all the wonderful Educators who have been instrumental in achieving great outcomes for the children.

We believe there were some stand out elements that helped us achieve Exceeding and these include:

• A program created based on ‘children’s voices’ – an opportunity to explore young minds and what interests them.
• Our educators know the children and their needs and have established relationships built on trust, respect and genuine care.
• Effective communication with the Principal and teachers demonstrating a mutual care for children and families and desire to do what is best for them.
• Meaningful contributions from parents such as the ‘climate change’ talk
• Ensuring staff are supported by providing extra training when needed – this encourages their desire to aim high.
• Promoting a philosophy of continued improvement is critical. Having the right attitude and always thinking how something can be done better challenges educators and improves systems and processes.

Achieving an ‘exceeding’ rating at an OSHC service is a great achievement, we are super proud of the amazing team, wonderful families and school community that we support.

One of three (3) TG's Wauchope campuses, our fabulous High Street campus receiving an overall rating of ‘Exceeding’ in 2019.  We are excited to share a snippet of our beautiful culture and learning environments and include a sample of the fun, laughter and memories we have here!

Our team of Educators and Management are enthusiastic towards creating a strong and respectful culture based on our 3 foundation stones:
-Building relationships: Developing and maintaining trusting relationships with all children, families and members of our beautiful community in which reflect love, trust, respect, compassion and fun.
-Understanding our gifts: Through developing these positive relationships with children, families and the community, TG’s promotes the understanding of our gifts, building a culture of diversity and inclusion.
-Encouraging Collective Thinking: Our team of educators have strong commitments to developing respectful relationships within their teams, children, families, community and incorporating their knowledge into our curriculums and experiences.

TG’s Child Care educators advocate for everyone to reach their fullest potential in a dignified and respectful way.
Our educators model excellence through team play- paddling in the canoe together.
During our Assessment and Rating process, our team embraced the opportunity to grow and shine, every situation is a ‘gift’, an opportunity to be curious and to ask questions!

Our centre’s geographical context reflects one of a ‘tight-knit community’ with secure and respectful relationships between our service and community members.
Many of our educators have lived within the Wauchope  and surrounding districts for serval years with trusting and loyal relationships with members of the community. Educators and community members have great understandings towards each other’s expectations and attitudes and build on the strength of each other’s knowledge to support the learning outcomes for children. 

A workplace that is mentally healthy is just as important as a physically safe work environment.  Workplace stress can occur when someone feels that the demands of their role is greater than their ability to do the work.  Excessive or long-term stress can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions such as anxiety and/or depression.

A TNS research project conducted for Beyond Blue, “State of Mental Health in the Workplace in Australia” highlights that 91% believe mental health in the workplace is important (88% believe physical safety is important), but, only 52% of employees believe their workplace is mentally healthy compared to 76% for physical safety.

A healthy workplace promotes mental health and wellbeing and can enhance the performance of all employees and the success of the business.  Some key areas of focus to create a mentally healthy workplace may include:

• Education and awareness for all staff to prioritise mental health and understanding;
• Creating a positive and respectful workplace culture;
• Open and honest leadership and communications to provide employees a sense of purpose in the business;
• Management of roles and responsibilities to suit the particular skills and abilities of employees;
• Workload management ensuring stress on mental health is minimised;
• Employee development programs to allow open feedback and discussion on performance; goal setting and rewards;
• Inclusion and input on business strategies;
• Work/life balance allowing flexible arrangements for employees to meet the demands of work and family/personal life;
• Provision of mental health support so employees know where they can go to for help;
• Changes to the physical working environment such as natural light; plants and social meeting areas.

Outside of our workplace, we can all take charge of our own wellbeing.  Sunshine is therapeutic! Exercise is great – it doesn’t have to be strenuous, anything that raises heart rate, is a great way to give your brain a boost.  Good nutrition and good sleep are also beneficial for mental health.

Contact AFS Group today via email training@afsgroup.net.au or call 1300 660 164 to discuss our Mental Health Awareness training.

Stay safe and well from all the team at AFS Group

www.afsgroup.net.au

What is Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice, also known as estival solstice or midsummer, occurs each year when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere.

When is Summer Solstice?

Friday, 22 December

Activities:

• Read Summer-Themed books together to celebrate the Summer Solstice - The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstic by Wendy Pfeffer
• Play the “How Tall is My Shadow?” Game - At noon on each solstice day, measure from your child’s toe to his or her shadow’s top. Have the child measure your shadow, too, and record the numbers.
• Make flower crowns together.
• Create sun inspired art - children used their creativity to paint their image of summer.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the second temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. 

When is Hanukkah?

Thursday, 7 December to Friday, 15 December

Activities:

• Learning about what is Hanukkah and what the day celebrates. 
• Cooking experience: Invite the children to participate in making potato pancakes, doughnuts stuffed with jam, and fritters.
• Arts and Craft: Invite the children to make their own candle to take home for the family to ligh upon Hanukkah.
• Make a sensory menorah for toddlers.
• Hanukkah candle play for preschool age children (using Menorahs and Play Dough).