CHILDREN SERVICES

It has been a busy term for North St Marys Children's Centre. Preschool have attended the launch of the ‘Yarning Space’, National Simultaneous Story Time and Rooby Roo's birthday at the Neighbourhood Centre as well as participated in St Marys North Public School, K-2 Athletics Carnival where the educators and children dressed in the schools house colours and ran in a race. To extend on the Preschool children's interest in ‘fire fighters’ educators arranged an excursion to the Museum of Fire at Penrith as well as a visit from the St Marys Fire Brigade.  Our OOSH service have shown an interest in ‘Sustainability’ and have been eager to learn what practices they can engage in to be more sustainable. To facilitate the OOSH children's interest in physical activity, educators have been taking them to use the Primary School's basketball court, oval and climbing equipment during After School Care. Our OOSH educators have been busy planning a variety of fun experiences for the upcoming July school holiday Vacation Care Program. 

A HUGE thankyou to Ian and the Martin family from Austral Masonry Prospect of Arrinstone bricks to create our new sandpit play area.  For more information on our OOSH or to book a place in the  Vacation Care program please contact Mel on 9623 0331.

FOODREDI WORKSHOPS

During Term 2, St Clair ran a 6 weeks FoodREDI workshop focusing on healthy and affordable meals.  Participants learnt about nutritious planning for meal and snacks, how to understand food labelling, ways to save money and cook different meals each week, selecting from a great range of recipes. Joan who is a participant said ‘ FoodREDI is a very informative program.The FoodREDI  program has helped me  build my confidence to cook different  meals I have never tried  before. Today I have tasted Fetta, something I  have never tried before. Everyone is  nice and polite.’  The workshop was enjoyed by young and older community members. We are  currently taking expressions of  interest from residents wanting to  participate in our next workshop  during term 4.  To register your Interest please contact Kim on 9673 3908.

FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH OUTINGS

Our combined Youth Outings have been incredibly popular amongst our young people throughout 2019. Once a term on a Friday we have been bringing all of our Youth Spaces together for a joint night out. Our Term 2 outing was a trip into the city to see the annual Vivid Light Festival. All 21 young people  had a wonderful time in the city and it was great to see them mixing and mingling with young people from our other Youth Spaces.  We had a lots of fun and are super excited to commence planning for our remaining outings for the year.  

For more information on our youth services  please contact Monique on 9834 2708.

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME—NORTH ST MARYS

The sun was shining and children listened attentively to this year’s book “Alpacas with Maracas” written by Matt Cosgrove. Alpaca puppets were painted and maracas were made and used to shake and dance with. Music, dancing and instruments were being played to make this year special. Morning tea was prepared by our ING corporate volunteers who came and joined us. Thank you Ross from United Way and our regular Playvan bus who makes each Playvan week so much fun. Playvan meet every Wednesday during school terms. For more information please contact Kim on 9673 3908.

Outreach Help Event

Community Junction Inc. partnered with Prosper Project Australia in assisting 25+ families 

experiencing financial hardship on Tuesday 25^th June 2019. Families from Werrington and surrounds attended Arthur Neave Memorial Hall and collected food packs, toiletry packs, nappies, birthday gifts for children and other essentials. Free resources to help families with financial hardship, to budget and manage their finances was also available. The event was a great success and another will be run in the near future.

 For more information on the great work Prosper Project Australia do visit their Facebook page facebook.com/ProsperProjectAustralia or email mail@ prosperprojectaustralia.org

YOUTH WEEK 2019

This year our Youth Team and young people attended various Youth Week Events around Penrith, including our very own Skate Clair Event at St Clair Skate Park. Skate Clair provided young people an opportunity to celebrate youth culture and engage in a day that  recognises young people and their voice within the community.  Skate Clair is renowned for their annual skateboard, scooter, bike and street skating competition, where young people compete and additional young people judge the contest on the day. Skate Clair also included live musical performances conducted by local young people, free food and interactive activities and free stalls held by local Youth Services for young people to engage with.