Tips from The Fathering Project

Here's a few little tips from the "The Fathering Project", as we head into the winter school holiday period.

Be Spontaneous

“Now that they are teenagers, if they ring during the afternoon because they want to go windsurfing I’ll often stop what I’m doing, if possible, and take the opportunity of going with them.” – Peter Le Soeuf, professor of paediatrics.

• You may not be able to do so on a regular basis, but taking a spontaneous afternoon off to have fun with your children will be good for you all.
• Those moments may just become some of your very favourite memories.

Fun indoor activities

When you want to spend time with the kids indoors, it’s tempting to just settle in front of the TV together and watch a movie.  Here are a few indoor activities to try:

• Bake cupcakes or cookies and decorate them
• Build an indoor cubby out of furniture and sheets
• Play hide and seek, sardines, or other games
• Play dress-ups
• Make up a story, poem or song together

Board games

Turn off the TV and other distractions, find games that are suitable to your children’s ages, and have fun! There are hundreds of card games and board games to choose from; here are a few suggestions:

• Card games for two people: Snap, Memory, Go Fish, Cribbage
• Board games for two people: Chess, Battleship, Scrabble, Mancala, Backgammon, Othello
• Card games for families: Rummy, Bridge, Five Hundred, Hearts
• Board games for families: Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Game of Life, Scrabble, Pictionary, Cluedo

July School Holiday activities

Check out the Coolroom's (Ellenbrook Youth Centre) Facebook page for some activities for young people these holidays including Ice skating and Karting excursions.  You can visit the Ellenbrook Library and Ellenbrook Place for more details on the Youth Centre.

West Coast Gymnastics are offering a school holiday program from the 4th - 15th July if your children are interested in gymnastics based circuits, games & activities.  Running from 9am til 3pm, available for 4-12 year olds at a cost of $45 per child/$40 per sibling.  Go to www.westcoastgym.org or call 9249 3535 for more information.

Free activities!  

• See some wildlife at "West Oz Wildlife" petting zoo on 7th July at Ellenbrook Community Library.  Book online at events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/ellenbrookozwildlife
• Get an awesome workout at "Konga Kids" - high intensity fusion of boxing, cardio, dance and sculpting for 5-12 year olds.  12th July at the Aveley Community Centre.  Book at events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/elllenbrookkongakids
• Learn about "Baby Massage" introductory session a the Ellenbrook Community Library.  Book at events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/ellenbrookbaby-massage
• Attend an Aboriginal Art Class on 8th July at the Ellenbrook Library, for 3 to 10 year olds.  Book at www.swan.wa.gov.au/events

Ellenbrook Community News

The following information comes via the City of Swan.  For further inquiries on any of the events mentioned, phone the City of Swan, Ellenbrook Place Office on 08 9207 8576.

People at Place:  Tuesday 28th June, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.  Opportunity to connect and network with local groups and not-for-profits.
Free First Aid Training:  Bookings essential call 9267 9136.  Monday 20th June, 6:30pm - 9pm.  Midland.
Ellenbrook Community Collective:  https://www.facebook.com/ellenbrookcommunitycollective
Knitting 4 Charity - wool needed for projects going to women's refuges, remote Aboriginal communitiees and the homeless.  Contributions call Jenny 0409 080 824.
Spectrum Fusion: http://www.facebook.com/specfusion/.  Regular social gatherings and activities for adults with autism.  Looking to build a new social community in the City of Swan.
Step into Volunteering:  Free session about volunteering opportunities. Tuesday 21st June 10am - 11am at the Old Midland Courthouse.
Quiz Night - for the Ellenbrook Theatre Company - Saturday 25th June, 7pm Ellenbrook Performing Arts Centre.  Ticket sales and details Tony Perry on 0414 298 611.
NAIDOC Week:  City of Swan Libraries invites you to join in various events in July. 
Brockman House in Beechborough, offering fantastic range of programs for the whole community.  Full Term 2 program visit http://www.brockmanhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Term-2-Program1.pdf
Workpower Respite and Carer Support:  Building the capacity of families and unpaid carers of individuals with mental illness and autism.  http://www.workpowerrespitecare.com.au/
Ellenbrook Community Weight Loss Club:  Affiliated with Weight Watchers Federations WA Inc.  Every Wednesday from 6:45pm - 8pm, Woodlake Community Hall.
Mercycare Lending Services:  No Interest Loan Scheme designed to help people on low incomes kick start their future. https://www.mercycare.com.au/services/community-support-services/support-services/lending-services/
Midland Women's Health Care Place:  Term 2 Timetable http://www.mwhcp.org.au/new-term-timetable/
TSH Diagnostic Hearing Testing:  Telethon Speech and Hearing.  Fortnightly basis, Wednesdays at the Ellenbrook Parkland Villas.  Contact 9387 9888
Radio VCA 88.5fm.  New Community radio station.  https://www.facebook.com/radiovca88.5fm/

Coffee & Conversation - this Friday 1st April 2016

Don't forget this Friday 1st April is our final Coffee & Conversation for the Summer Term.  A representative from CLAN WA will be joining us to share some information and resources from their service.  Hope to see you there, from 9am in the College Cafe.  Regards, Jo Betti HCC Social Worker

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

This Friday 18th March is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

It's Australia's main anti-bullying event for schools, and encourages students across the country to 'take a stand' against bullying and violence at school - in the classroom and beyond.

This week at Holy Cross Collage students will see some posters around the school and on Life Support they can read and consider some short messages, tips and information.  On Friday we anticipate having a small stall with some information and promotional materials available for students to raise awareness about this important issue and I'll be assisted by some of our Interrelationships Student Leaders.

We hope to encourage all our students to work together to 'take a stand' against bullying and violence at Holy Cross College.

The Fathering Project - some tips for Fathers

These 'tips' are brought to you via The Fathering Project which is a University of Western Australia-based not-for-profit charity led by a team of professionals that aims to help fathers realise how important they are in a child’s life and to give them advice on how to encourage their children. 

I will be including a few of their little Tips on my Wellbeing Blog to inspire our HCC Dads and male parents and carers throughout the year. 

1)        Encourage your kids

Build up your child’s confidence by encouraging him or her to step out of their comfort zone to try new things, and by noticing and praising their efforts.

• Encourage your children to be the best that they can be. Whether it is in school work, sporting activity or any other endeavour, the important thing is that they challenge themselves
• Don’t compare your children to each other, to their friends or to yourself
• Make sure you notice and praise their efforts
• Let your children know you love them, no matter what

2)        Do you know where your child is all day? Visit their school and see!

Take your child to school and ask them to show you around – where is their classroom? Where do they sit? Where do they eat lunch? Where is the playground? Who is their teacher? Who are their friends? Having this information will make it easier to relate to your child as they tell you about their school life.

• Ask your child to show you around their school and introduce you to their teacher and their friends. Having this information will make it easier to relate to your child as they tell you about their school life.
• Look at their artwork and other displays in the classroom
• Do some puzzles or read a book together before you leave
• Later on, ask your child questions about what you saw and the people you met to show your interest

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Ellenbrook Connect Family Event

City of Swan presents "Connect" - a free family event, featuring fun activities for all ages including:  stage performances, rides, face painting, crafts, animal farm, food stalls, market stalls, art displays, demos from sports and dance groups.

Sunday 20th March 2016 from 12pm - 4pm at the Aveley Playing Fields - Bolero Road.