Welcome to the

February Edition of the

Communities for
Children Newsletter
Communities for Children is funded by
the Australian Government via the
Department of Social Services. This
program is part of the Families and
Communities Programme (FCP)
providing prevention and early
intervention programs to families with
children who are at risk of
disadvantage and disconnected from
childhood services.
Amity Healths team is passionate
about helping rural, remote and
isolated families and their children. Our
role is to provide support to local
community partners to deliver
programs and activities so families can
be healthy, feel supported and
connected to their communities.
Programs and activities are located in
various community based settings and
reflect the needs of individual
communities across the region.
Additional services available from Amity
Health include Dietetics, Occupational
Therapy, Child Mental Health, Speech
Pathology and Diabetes Education.

Hub of the Month

Manypeaks
Mt Manypeaks Play Caf
Manypeaks Primary School has been
running a Play Caf for multiple years
through Communities for Children. The
tireless school staff brings together
families and pre-school aged children
each week and provide opportunities
for play and social engagement that
may not be available at home.
Children and their parents can join in
the fun on Tuesday mornings from
9am at Manypeaks Primary School.
The coordinator explained that The
play caf is a great opportunity for
mums to get to know each other and
also for the kids to learn social skills in
the company of their mothers. This is
a fantastic way for children who are
not old enough to go to Kindy to have

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

the chance to socialise with other

children but with the security of mum
or dad nearby. This builds a positive
relationship between the family and
the school, building a bridge to
success.
Occasionally, families and children are
treated to guest speakers including
Parenting WA and Allied health
therapist. This has given families a
chance to gain invaluable information
without travelling too far from home.
Mt Manypeaks Play Caf continues to
be a fantastic community partner for
Communities for Children and it is
great to see a support network for
families being formed in their small
community.

With school is starting up for another

year, term 1 can be a daunting and
challenging experience for some
children beginning school or going back
to school after the holiday period. For
children with different developmental
disorders, they may find this change in
routine and environment difficult to
manage.

enabling people to better understand a

situation, and learn how to respond or
behave in that situation. The below
Social Story has been written for
children to assist in understanding
school days and holidays.

Back to School Social Story

Is today a School Day?
I go to school on school days. Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays are often school days.
Sometimes though, my school will close.
There are many holidays during the
school year. Some holidays are long,
and others are short. Holidays are
written on the school calendar.
There are special days where my school
may be open for teachers, and closed
for students. These are called school
development days or pupil free days.
They are usually written on the school
calendar.
Sometimes it may be confusing if today
or tomorrow is a school day. Parents
can help. Parents are very interested in
school days. They know how to use the
school calendar and the local news. I go
to school on school days. Sometimes
my school will be closed.

Social Stories are short stories that

describe concepts or situations in a
format that is meaningful for children
with developmental disorders. They can
be used as a communication strategy,
Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332
T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

Packing a Healthy Lunchbox

200! Thats how many school lunches
you will potential have to make this
year for each of your children heading
off to school. What you pack in your
childs lunchbox is important. Food is
fuel for our bodies and healthy food
will provide your children with the
energy and nutrients they need to get
through a busy day. Making nutritious
lunches and snacks that your children
will eat can be a challenge. When
making lunches and snacks at home
parents are encouraged to choose a
variety of foods from the five food
groups. The Five Food groups are

When it comes to drinks offer water as

the drink of choice.
What about muesli and fruit bars?
The muesli and fruit bar aisle of any
supermarket can be a minefield,
particularly if you have taken your
children along for the shopping trip!
Many are kilojoule dense and provide
very little nutritional value. Here are a
few tips that can help you to make a
healthier choice when shopping for
these items:

1. Fruit (e.g. fresh, frozen, pureed

and canned in natural juice)
2. Vegetables, legumes and
beans (Offer different types and
colours)
3. Milk, yoghurt, cheese and
alternatives (e.g. soy, rice, oat
and almond based products
with at least 100mg of calcium
per 100mL/g) Reduced fat
options are best.
4. Lean meats and poultry, fish,
eggs, tofu, nuts* and seeds,
and legumes/beans
* If your school has a nut-free
policy, peanut butter and other
nuts should not be included in
your childs lunchbox.
5. Grain (cereal) foods (e.g.
breads, cereals, rice, pasta,
noodles, polenta, couscous,
oats, quinoa and barley).
Wholegrain and/or high fibre
varieties are best.

Avoid those that are either

dipped in chocolate or contain
chocolate chips
Avoid those that contain
confectionary e.g. those topped
with yoghurt type products
Look for a bar that contains fruit
rather than just cereals
Avoid fruit leather or straps.
These are very sticky and will
stay on the child's teeth for the
best part of the day. A piece of
fruit is a much healthier (and
cheaper) option
Muesli bars should not be
consumed on a daily basis

Aim for:

Less than 600 kilojoules per

serve
Less than 1g of saturated fat
per serve
More than 1g of fibre per serve
Less than 100mg of sodium
(salt) per serve.

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

New Immunisation
Requirements
Back to School Reminder
As a new school year gets underway,
Minister for Health Sussan Ley is
reminding parents on new measures to
encourage families to keep their
childrens vaccinations up to date.

Need Inspiration?
Check out the following websites for
useful tips, recipes and general ideas
that can make the task of school
lunches easier and healthier.

WA School Canteens
Association
http://www.waschoolcanteens.o
rg.au/
LiveLighter
https://livelighter.com.au/
Crunch&Sip
http://www.crunchandsip.com.a
u/crunchsip-in-action/forparents/
Heart Foundation Mums United
http://heartfoundation.org.au/ca
mpaigns/mums-united

From this year, to continue receiving

family assistance payments from the
Commonwealth (Child Care Benefit,
Child Care Rebate and Family Tax
Benefit Part A Supplement), children
and young people up to 20 years of
age must be fully immunised, on a
catch-up schedule, or have an
approved medical exemption.
If your child has missed vaccines on
the National Immunisation Program
Schedule, talk to your general
practitioner or vaccination provider to
arrange a suitable catch up schedule
for their age.
Immunisation requirements apply to all
children and young individuals until the
end of the calendar year they turn 19
years of age.
Parents can seek free catch-up
vaccinations for children under the age
of 10, under the current arrangements
of the National Immunisation Program.
For 10 to 19 year olds, from now until
the end of next year, the Australian
Government will provide free vaccines
to families who currently receive family
assistance payments.

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

Parents can check their childs

immunisation history at any time by
using their Medicare online account
through myGov. Visit the Human
Services Immunisation page or the
Immunise Australia Program for further
information.
Adapted from the press release
January 24th 2016 by Minister for
Health Sussan Ley. We understand
this information to be accurate and
current at the date of
publication: February 2016. This
page and the information it contains is
not intended as a substitute for
professional consultation with a
qualified practitioner

Starting Kindy
Starting Kindy is an exciting time in
any childs life that introduces the
wonderful world of exploring, making
friends, sharing news and stories.
Whether your child is starting Kindy
this year or next, practice these skills
at home to give them the best start.

Have regular contact and play

dates with other children, this
will help your childs social skills
and ability to make friends.
Introduce games that have
turns e.g. playing on the swings,
or trampoline
Share lots of books with your
child, help your child to talk
about the pictures, whats
happening and why
Have common Kindy tools on
hand like washable textas,

crayons, safety blunt tipped

scissors and paper. Use these
to practice cutting (always
supervise children) and drawing
skills
Talk about the names of letters
and the sound they make e.g.
This letters name is M it
makes the mmmmm sound
Sing nursery rhymes and clap
the beats in words e.g. ba-nana this will help pre-reading
skills
Play games with actions like
kicking balls, skipping and
hopping
Read stories about starting
school
Walk past the school and talk
about how your child will soon
be going there, doing fun
activities and making friends

For more information go to the

Department of Education at
www.det.wa.edu.au click on Kindergarten
Parent Resources in the bottom right
hand corner. You can even download a
Hello Kindergarten booklet.

Pic Sourced from det.wa.edu.au

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

Upcoming Special Events

Australian Healthy Weight

Week 15th - 22nd February
Easter long weekend 25th - 28th
March
April School Holidays 9th April 25th April
ANZAC Day 25th April

Activities In Your Area

ALBANY
- Australian Breastfeeding Assoc: Thurs
10-12, 18 Chester Pass Rd. (Albany
Playgroup). Emilynne 9844 1458, visit
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
- Albany Breastfeeding Centre: 99 Collie
St. Appointments Mon, Wed and Fri
afternoons. Contact 9842 7561
- Albany Library: Story time Thurs and Sat
10.30am, Rhyme time Wed and Fri
10:30am
- Albany Museum: 10am-4pm daily Range
of exhibitions and activities.
- Albany Playgroup: 18 Chester Pass Rd.
Caryn 0400 209 767
- ALAC Swim School: All ages and stages
welcome. Nola on 9844 2274 or
nolao@albany.wa.gov.au
- Immunisation Clinic: Tues 1.30-4pm and
Thurs 1.30-4pm at Population Health,
Warden Avenue. Please Contact 9842
7500 for an appointment.
-King River Playgroup: King River Hall,
Millbrook. Playgroup and 3yr old Kindy.
Contact Janine 0438 945 604
- Little Grove Playgroup: Tues & Fri 9am
Little Grove Progress Hall. Contact
Rebecca 0411 858 567.

- Mt Lockyer Primary School Playgroup:

Weds Term Time: 9am-12noon at Our
Place. Contact Christine 9841 1166 or
christine.tozer@education.wa.edu.au
- Mt Lockyer Child and Parent Centre:
Rhyme Time- every Mon from 9:3010:30am. Jumping Joeys- energetic
sessions, every Tues from 9:30-10:30am.
Mt Lockyer Primary School. Contact 9842
9998
- My time: Support for parents of children
with special needs, Wed 9.30am at
Wanslea. Contact Di 9842 9998.
- Play in the Park, Tues 10-12noon Cull
Park, Campbell Rd. Contact 0409 048 204
- PCYC: 77 Sandford Rd. Host a wide
range of low cost activities. Toddler gym Mon, Thurs at 10am; Kindy Gym - Tues
4.30pm; Gymnastics - Mon, Thurs, Fri
4pm, Sat 8.15am and 9.45am; for teens
Strike II- Fri 7.30pm; Jnr Rangers - Tues
6pm, Police Rangers -Tues 6.30pm.
Contact 9842 1716 or 9841 6672
- Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre,
219 North Road, ph 9841 8254. Free and
low cost activities. Creche facilities are
generally available but please call ahead.
- Rainbow Coast Toy Library: Open Sat
10am - 12pm (during school term), Fri by
prior appointment. Located behind PCYC
building 77 Sandford Rd - for children 0-8
years. rctoylibrary@hotmail.com
BORNHOLM
- Western Districts Playgroup: Thurs
9.30am. Bornholm Hall, Lower Denmark
Rd, Contact Renee 0458 149 735
BREMER BAY
- Playgroup: Tues mornings at Bremer
Bay CRC, contact Veronica Thomas 0413
761 370

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

DENMARK
- Rhyme time: Mon 11am. Story time:
Thurs 11am, Denmark Library.
- Bubs & Bellies: Tues 10am-12pm,
Denmark Family Place-Denmark Primary
School, Ph: 9848 0800
FRANKLAND RIVER

- Katanning Playgroup: For families with

children between 0-5 years. Mon and Wed
9.30am-11.30am, Thurs 10am-12pm. 84
Conroy St (opposite public pool).
E: katanningplaygroup@yahoo.com.au
- Katanning Toy Library: Tues and Sat
10.30-11.30am Katanning Library, Austral
Tce

- Playgroup: Thurs 10am. Community

Centre 55 Wingebellup Road. Christen:
tcwcrichards@bigpond.com

KOJONUP

GNOWANGERUP

- Playgroup: Thurs 9.30am, Spring Street

- Toy Library: Tues 9.30am, playgroup
building

- Play & Mothers Group: Tues 9.30am,

Family Centre Building, Whitehead Rd,
Julie 9827 9219.
- Story time: Thurs 9.30am, Gnowangerup
Shire Library.

MT BARKER

- StoryTime: Fri 9am at Kendenup PS

- Playgroup: Tues 9.30am at Kendenup
Hall

- Parent Group: Alternate Thursdays

10:30-12noon for parents with babies up
to 6 months old, Child Health Clinic
Contact Carolyn Oliff 9851 1451
- Mt Barker Toy Library: Thurs 1011:30am at Mt Barker CRC, Robyn 0402
115 680 or mtbarkertoylibrary@gmail.com
- Play in the Park with story time: 1012noon Thursday, Mt Barker Library.
Contact 0409 048 204.
- Mt Barker Playgroup: Wed mornings at
RSL Club, Booth St. Contact Tara 0448
124 443

KATANNING

NYABING

- Katanning Public Library: Story time and

Baby Rhyme Time at 10am on alternating
Tues. Sue 9841 4300.
- Badgebup Playgroup: Wednesday,
9.30am, Badgebup Hall.
- Play, Fun and Learn: Mon 9.30-12.30
(for migrant families), Tue 10-12 (open to
all), free group, Contact Leanne at
Wanslea 9821 1102.
- Walk & Talk: Wednesday, 9am, contact
9821 2009.

-Nyabing Playgroup: 9-11am on

Thursdays. CWA Hall. Contact 9828 5200
or jehobley@bigpond.com

JERRAMUNGUP
- Mothers Group: Tues (f/night) 1012noon, Jerramungup CRC.
KENDENUP

PINGRUP
- Play in the Paddock check with the
CRC

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

SOUTH STIRLING
- South Stirling Playgroup: Mondays 9.3011:30am, South Stirling Hall
TAMBELLUP
- Family Playgroup: Crowden St, Tuesday
10am in term time. Contact Rebecca 9825
1372
- Indigenous Parenting Playgroup: Friday
9.30am, Primary School.
WELLSTEAD
- Playgroup: Wed 9.30-11.30am,
Wellstead Primary School.
WOODANILLING
- Playgroup: Fri 9:30am - 12pm during
school term. Contact Bindi Murray 0409
347 299

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332

T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au