Here we are, half way through the term already, and the weeks seem to be just flying by.
At OSHC we have begun working on our fund-raising for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. Currently only one in five Indigenous children in some very remote communities in Australia can read at the minimum standard. Not having basic literacy resources like books are a significant barrier for children in these communities. On the 4th to the 19th of September we will be raising funds to provide literacy packs to Indigenous children by having several guessing competitions running, as well as a colouring competition. Our not for profit organisation, the Camp Australia Foundation will match every dollar raised. This fund-raising is in addition to football tipping competition that we have already started.
Last week at OSHC popular activities have included Basketball based games, markers up, listening and dancing to music, knitting, discussing the local area, paddle pop stick craft, perler beads, chalk self portraits on the basketball courts, and reading books about Indigenous Dream Time stories.
Parents are reminded that our service hours are from 7:00am to 8:45am for Before School Care and from 3:30pm to 6.00pm for Ater School Care. Children are not to be dropped off before 7:00, as these hours are the times we are covered for by our insurance, and are also the hours approved by the Government.
A friendly reminder for parents that for staffing and catering purposes children should be booked into OSHC through the Camp Australia head office, or if it is impractical to do so, through a staff member at OSHC. Where possible bookings and cancellations should be made through the Camp Australia Head Office website www.campaustralia.com.au or phone 1300 105 343. This is to ensure that we have adequate numbers of staff present to care for your children, and that we have prepared enough food to go around at snack time.
In related news, could parents be sure to notify OSHC directly, or the Camp Australia head office, if your child will not be attending a session they are booked in for. This helps streamline the session for everyone else as we are not spending time trying to track down children who are not actually coming. This includes days when your child is absent from school for whatever reason. The Camp Australia Drysdale Primary School OSHC mobile number is 0404 427 452.