👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

XPLOR software : A huge thank you for the 200+ child enrolments already completed in Xplor, along with the positive feedback from parents who are loving the new platform! If you haven’t yet enrolled, check for an email from ‘bookings’ on Fri 8 Dec, titled “SUPER IMPORTANT”. Don’t delay, as we’re already oversubscribed on Tue, Wed, Thu afternoons.

WAITLISTS for TERM 1 : We’ve got the highest ever number of booking requests for 2024 - and we know there are families who’ve still not enrolled. So, we’re busy recruiting more staff and we’re also very happy to report that Ms O’Neill has offered to share a second room with us next year. This is awesome news and will be a huge help in ensuring we can continue to offer appropriate eating, resting and activity spaces for a broadening age range of children, and delivering the highest levels of care that you’ve come to expect. We’re keeping waitlists as low as possible, and are monitoring them daily for movement and progress.

TEAM UPDATE : Congratulations to GG who progresses to the senior team next year, becoming Stage Lead for Y3 and our Sports Coordinator. GG is also undertaking a Cert III in Outside School Hours Care. You can read more about GG below, in Bee of the Week!
Congrats also to the lovely Mel from the canteen, who will spread her wings to include The Hive, joining us as Food & Nutrition Lead for 2024. Mel will develop our 2024 menu, provide delicious, nutritious and wholesome afternoon tea for the kids, and will also run our Seniors Baking Club - in the canteen!
Finally a huge welcome to ELLIE, CLEMENTINE, ALICYA & MARLEY, all new recruits for the coming HP and 2024. Also to ZANE, who will join us for Holiday Programs only.

SENIORS in 2024 : We’re seeing a growing number of senior enrolments (Y4-6) and we’re so excited by this! In response, Term 1 will include dedicated Seniors activity options, exclusive Seniors access to the Hang Out zone, a brand new opportunity for Seniors Baking Club in the canteen (specific day TBC) and extra-curricular activities geared specifically towards the Seniors. As always, if you have any otehr suggestions, please let us know…

THANK YOU JON! As a long-standing Hive family moves away from Bondi, we bid farewell to Molly & Eve, and we also extend a hige thank you to dad Jon who was instrumental in getting the garden renovation completed and opening up all the wonderful opportunities that the kids now enjoy. What an awesome legacy to leave Jon, and we’re very grateful for everything you poured into this amazing project. Go well in the Northern Rivers!

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM 🏖️

Happy end of school year to all our Bees, Big and Little! We’re really looking forward to some fun times with you all over the holoidays, and December HP is ON! for Mon, Tue, Wed next week.

There are just a handful of spots left on the coaches on Monday & Tuesday, so if you’re keen - jump in! And Wednesday will be the BIGGEST end of year party, complete with games, treats, music, dress-ups, BBQ and… the G.O.A.T. NINJA inflatable!! Book through Becklyn for December HP - these will be the final bookings in the old software.

For January HP, book through the Xplor HOME app. Instructions are at the bottom of the calendars, found here. Early Bird pricing for January HP until midnight Sunday 17th Dec, and then all daily fees are +$10.

🐝 BEES OF THE WEEK 🐝

This week we pay tribute to CAMERON! Cameron has been joining us from Vaucluse Public since he was in Y1, and at the end of this week, he’ll wave goodbye to The Hive and get ready for some new adventures at high school.

Cameron is a huge personality, full of smiles, cheekiness, interesting facts and always ready to help out at The Hive.

Cameron, we’re going to miss you very much! And we wish you all the best for your high school chapter…

GG - Y3 Lead Educator & Sports Coordinator

Congratulations GG on joining the senior team next year!

Did you know…? GG is a Canberra boy, who’s been in Sydney for 5 years now. He loves all things SWANS (in fact, sport in general) and his favourite food is… chicken wings!!

If he wasn’t an Educator, GG would be an actor - so watch this space, who knows what the future brings…?!

😃🚰 GETTING ENOUGH CALCIUM 🥗🏃🏽‍♀️

Kids need more calcium as they get older, to support their growing bones and adult teeth. 4-8 years olds need 1,000mg of calcium/day and 9-18year olds need 1,300mg.

Some foods are very high in calcium, with dairy foods among the best natural sources: milk, yogurt, hard cheeses-like cheddar. If you can’t eat dairy, try other foods such as: calcium-set tofu, calcium-fortified soy drinks, edamame beans, broccoli, collard greens, kale, chard, Chinese cabbage and other leafy greens, almonds, sesame seeds, white beans, red beans, and chickpeas, oranges, figs, and prunes. You can find out more here.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE this festive period

Gift-wrapping - After your child’s art has spent its time on the fridge, you could use it as wrapping paper or as part of a card. Family friends and family will love receiving gifts and cards created with love. If you do buy cards or wrapping paper – choose items made from recycled materials, and not wrapped in plastic. You could even try sending e-cards…

D-eco-rations – Many people reuse decorations year after year. If you are planning to buy new ones, why not try making them instead? Turn off your festive lights at night and try using LED ones where possible.

Presents – Take a look around your home. How many things do you already have? Do you really need more stuff? Maybe instead of buying more things this year, you could try an ‘experience’ instead. Like, a trip out to a theme park with a friend. Or a surfing lesson! You can also ask your family to get their gifts at eco-stores this year…

We can all play a part in helping the planet over this holiday period… Find out more here.