2022 Term 3 - Week 7 & 8

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👋 LIVE from the HIVE … 👋

We’re considering the introduction (in 2023) of additional paid afternoon activities, delivered on site, by external providers, and signed up for a term. The idea is to give the kids with the busiest parents chance to experience some of the extra-curricular opportunities out there. Our parent survey will help us work out whether this is something that families would find helpful, and which activities would be most popular… It’ll only take 2 mins to complete and will help us better tailor our offering to you…
Huge thanks to the 50+ of you that have already responded: the more info we gather the better we can plan!

👋 We say goodbye to ALFIE, who heads back to the UK to start his degree in Social Work. Bye Alfie, the seniors will miss you! 👋

ACTIVITY CLUBS were busy with the likes of DIY pompoms, basketball, button mobiles, sliding doors, gymnastics, hama beads, DIY earrings, hockey, father’s day gifts, yoga and much more… it’s been a JAM-PACKED fortnight!

And to all the DADS & OTHER LADS out there who act as positive role models for our young’uns - we thank you and salute you. Hope you had a treat or two on Sunday 4th 🥰 🥰

🏖️ Holiday Program - NOW OPEN!! 🏖️

We’re super excited for HP bookings to be open. We welcome back the split program, with most days tailored for age groups. The age split-point is varied on a couple of days, so please check carefully that you book into the right session. It’s an AWESOME program, and we have fingers firmly crossed for Covid and weather to give us a break so the kids get the full benefit of all Sydney’s fantastic planning! 👏

🌱🥕 Seeking GARDENING VOLUNTEERS ☝️👀

We’re looking for parent volunteers for an hour (4-5pm), once or twice a week to help the kids tend the school’s veggie gardens, learn about plants and the origins of certain foods and - of course - grow lots of yummy ingredients for Hive and Canteen to use!

It’s a very low-key commitment, so if you have green fingers or thumbs and a bit of spare time, please contact Sydney - it’ll be fun, rewarding and totally flexible…

🐝 BEE OF THE WEEK 🐝

…is our very own NATE! We’re blown away by the enthusiasm and energy that he brings with him every single day. And so are the kids!

The photo right, is a model of Nate made by one of the kids in his craft group this week.

Nate, we’re also loving the stories you’re weaving with the kids every day at the 4pm meeting - so many smiles!


💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

If you’ve borrowed Hive spare clothes - please remember to wash and return them. We’ve almost run out of warm layers to lend out!

 

We love this montage of the kids ⬆️ trying to copy Alfie’s breakdance moves… ⬇️ 🤣 🤣 🤣

2022 Term 3 - Week 5 & 6 BOOK WEEK!

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👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

Welcome back EDIE & ALFIE from your well-earned break. We missed ya! Check out the photos of them both at Maleny Bird World in Queensland…

🤩 Get ready… HOLIDAY PROGRAM will open next week!! 🤩 We’re back to a split program, for YK-1 and Y2-6. There are some variations on this split due to limited availabilities, so please check the calendar and your bookings carefully…

Below is just a taster of what we got up to in our wonderful ACTIVITY CLUBS this fortnight…

  • ART & CRAFT: fridge magnets, photo frames, splat paint, volcanoes, bunting and tie-dyeing!

  • BAKING CLUB: cheese twists & hummingbird cake

  • SPORTS: survival tip, kick-ball, sock wrestling, poison ball, gymnastics, basketball

  • EXPLORE & DISCOVER: balloon rockets, slime, movie making, potion making, cardboard creations

We’re excited to offer the kids a whole NEW AFTERNOON TEA MENU. Thanks EDIE for all your work to pull this together - lucky kids! They’ll be enjoying delicious, healthy treats like wholemeal mini pizzas, chicken wings, home-made frittatas, buddha bowls… You can check out the week’s menu here

🐠 Shout out to the VAN IMHOFF family for donating Li’l Apricot, a lovely new addition to our fish tank! 🐠

👏 NOMINATIONS FOR HIVE COMMITTEE 👏

Our AGM will be held later this year - date TBC - we’d love to see as many as possible of you there. We’re also keen to swell our Hive Exec committee, which is a sub-committee of the P&C. You’d help determine the direction and strategy for The Hive and become part of a great team, supporting our awesome Hive community. If you think you’d like to join:

  • yay! thank you 🙏

  • please send NOMINATIONS to Ellie by the end of Week 8, Fri 9 Sept


🐝 BEES OF THE WEEK 🐝


We’ve been super impressed with LOLA JOY in YK - she’s been doing such an awesome job of listening, helping out, and encouraging the whole group to do the right thing. Such beautiful role-modelling Lola - keep it up!

DIEGO in Y4 has been running mindfulness sessions for the whole group each Thursday afternoon - thank you Diego for that little dose of calm
and breath, it’s such a lovely contribution to our Hive community

Another beautiful bee is BILLY in Y4, who’s been showing us what it
means to be an awesome sibling! Always looking out for his
sisters and making sure they’re OK - so lovely to see…

💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

Please try to make sure the kids have all their bits when you pick up - we have a growing pile of lost property and so much of it without names, which makes it hard to return.

The weather is getting warmer, but afternoons can still be very cool; we’ve had to lend out LOTS of warm layers recently. Please remember to pack extra layers for the kids - and please wash and return any borrowed clothes, thank you 🙏

 

2022 Term 3 - Week 3-4

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👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

Please welcome AMAN and JENNIFER to our awesome team of Educators. Aman is a student of aviation here in Sydney, with a range of primary school experience from both India and Hong Kong. Jennifer is a qualified primary school teacher from the UK, and mum to a toddler here in Bondi.
Welcome both!

A reminder that we DO have space for CASUAL bookings - so please call/text 0450 896 686 or email us if you need a last minute spot - we’ll do our best to help 🤗

We’re working hard on the next HOLIDAY PROGRAM, and will open bookings at the START of W7.

And… it’s a little way off, but to help with your planning: The Hive will close for Christmas on Wed 21st December, and reopen on Mon 9th January 2023. (Don’t worry - we’ll remind you again closer to the time)

There are exciting developments with our ACTIVITY PROGRAM & CLUBS:

  • circuits & Ollys in EXPLORE & DISCOVER CLUB

  • we’re stoked to announce the return of BAKING CLUB - hope you’re enjoying those delicious treats (if any of them actually make it home…?!)

  • loads of fab games & sports: Murder in the Market, circus skills, volleyball, giant rope, gymnastics, soccer, basketball

  • amazing crafts, like canvas bags, cardboard roll scarecrows, papier-mache bees, flower pots, candles, rockets - and much more!

💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

⛄⛄⛄ The usual reminder to please pack warm layers for the kids… ⛄⛄⛄

We’re still seeking suggestions and input for our AFTERNOON TEA MENU. If you have any awesome ideas for snacks for the kids, please let us know!

Here’s the ‘before’ pic…..

⬇️ ⬇️ …and here are some pics of four excited architects!! ⬇️ ⬇️

2022 Term 3 - Week 1-2

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👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

Congratulations to ANNA who has just earned a spot on our senior team. Anna will be leading our Inclusion Support Program and coordinating our Quality Improvement Plan. Anna is currently studying for a Bachelors in Primary Education.

Our recruitment drive continues, and we’ve been able to make great progress with our WAIT LISTS. We even have space for casual bookings on some days - so please call/text 0450 896 686 or email us if you need a last minute spot - we might be able to help

The government have extended their support for OSHC & parents around COVID ABSENCES. If your child is absent due to testing positive or being a household contact, let us know the iso window dates and we’ll WAIVE CHARGES for any absences in that period. Our email of 19 July gives more detail.

We’re looking for suggestions and input for our AFTERNOON TEA MENU. If you have any awesome ideas for snacks for the kids, please let us know!

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM 🏖️

Was a great success, despite some weather challenges and last minute incursion cancellations, due to Covid. Our team were quick to make other plans and the kids had an awesome time - check out the photos!

Now, we’ll get busy planning for Sept/Oct. If you have any suggestions - please let us know!

💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

Thank you everyone for your communication around absences. It is such a huge help to us when you do the right thing, and avoids the stress (and the penalties) that come with ‘missing’ kids… Remember: i) mark AWAY ii) email us iii) call us 0450 896 686

 

2022 Term 2 Wk - end of term!

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👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone! We wish you all a lovely break, safe travels, good health and fun times 🤗

There are a FEW SPACES LEFT in our July HP program. If you can’t book online, please do email to ask about waitlists. We’ve been able to roster additional staff here and there, so some days now have increased capacity ;-)

NEW STAFF UNIFORMS will make an appearance during the holidays. We’re still in red hoodies, but instead of stripes, our t-shirts will soon be yellow or black, with STAFF printed on the back. All staff have name badges too, so please get to know our new faces when you’re dropping off or collecting!

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM REMINDERS 🏖️

Children must be SIGNED IN at the iPAD during Holiday Program. You should never drop children off at the gate - this carries a $15 penalty.

Every day, please remember:

  • recess, lunch, water bottle

  • closed shoes & warm layers (please put names in clothes!)

  • your own wheels & HELMET

 

2022 Term 2 Wk 6-7

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👋 LIVE FROM THE HIVE … 👋

Welcome this week to new recruit GRACE, who joins us from GymKidz, Newtown and brings big smiles and awesome energy to the team! And next time you’re in the Hive room, check out our WHO’S WHO WALL - can you spot which child pic is which Educator?? In fact, we’ve thrown one into this newsletter, just to get you started… 👀 🤷🏽

We’ve been so happy to break out the DRESS UP RAIL once again. The kids are having the best time with all the wild and wonderful outfits, as you’ll see from many of this week’s photos…

NEW STAFF UNIFORMS will soon be making an appearance. We’re still in red hoodies, but instead of stripes, our t-shirts will soon be yellow or black, with STAFF printed on the back. All staff have name badges too, so please get to know our new faces when you’re dropping off or collecting!

Thanks to EDIE for making the kids delicious FRUIT SMOOTHIES in the mornings. Such a delicious and nutritious way to start the day!! 🍓🥭

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM 🏖️

Our July HP program is now open for bookings!
We have limited spots available, so please book early and double check the cancellation policy.

🐝 BEE OF THE WEEK 🐝

VASILI in YK, gets a special mention for being super helpful every day - and always offering to do what he can, without being asked.

We also especially love that he’s always thinking of his friends and acting with kindness.


Awesome stuff, Vasili!


💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

Remember: children must be SIGNED IN & OUT at the iPAD. We’re grateful for the overall smoothness of the transition back to this process - thanks for being awesome, everyone!

From 30th June, we’re no longer able to WAIVE THE GAP FEE for Covid-related absences. This means they will once again count as normal absences, with parents being charged for the non-CCS element of the session fee (i.e. the ‘gap’ fee). This will be the case during July HP…

⛄⛄⛄ Remember: it’s COLD!!! please pack warm layers for the kids… ⛄⛄⛄

🛠️ GOING TO A GOOD HOME… 🔩

We bought this great little role-playing tool bench at the start of the year. It’s been great, and the youngest ones love it, but it’s not quite sturdy enough to survive in our busy Hive environment. It would be much better suited to a home setting, and perfect for kids aged 4-6 years…
If you know someone who could really use a lovely little freebie, please email Ellie to organise pick up. It’s in great condition, just needs a little wipe. It took 3 minutes to take down and will go up again just as easily… and it’s all ready to go, in an easily-carryable box!

 

2022 Term 2 Wk1-5

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👋 HIVE UPDATE… 👋

We love having parents back onsite and are enjoying catchups with you all! We’re grateful to everyone who’s remembered their log-in details. If you need a reminder - just email us…

The team just renewed their CPR & First Aid training, so please know your kids are in safe hands.

We still need to grow the team, so if you hear of anyone who’d fit the bill please ask them to email Ellie with their CV.

HOLIDAY PROGRAM will open in Week 7. Limited spots due to staff shortages. Please book early, and only what you need. Thanks for your support…

CONGRATULATIONS to our Educator Justin, who this week

welcomed his beautiful daughter 💕 Matilda Rose 💕
into the world.

We’re so happy for you Justin & Katie - congrats!


P&C AGM - Tue 31 May, 7pm at school

This will be the first on-site P&C meeting in a long time. It’s also the AGM, so please come along, meet other parents and maybe even consider joining the P&C Committee. It’s an awesome bunch of people, doing great work for the school and ensuring that the parents’ voice is heard.

The Hive is overseen by the P&C, so if you want to make a difference to our centre and its community, please also consider joining the Hive Exec Committee… 🤗



💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

  • It’s getting cold and it’s still wet! Remember to pack school hats and warm layers for the kids, and put their names inside!



💲💲 BASC VOUCHER SCHEME 💲💲

A reminder to apply for your $500 BASC voucher and submit to us. The vouchers can be used to cover gap fees for before/after school and holiday care. FAQs are on our website.





🙏 SHOUT OUT TO… 🙏

Our lovely friends at Koh, who continue to supply us with their wonderful cleaning products. Kind to the environment, safe for children, gentle on allergies - it’s a perfect solution for us as an OSHC centre and means you can know that our enhanced Covid safe cleaning plan is also safe for the kids. Thank you Koh!

2022 - Autumn Holiday Program

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✅ Update on waitlists ✅

We are making gradual progress through the waitlists, and we continue to recruit more great staff to our Hive team. The employment market is still incredibly flat, and even agency staff are hard to come by.

We’re just as motivated as you, to get rid of the waitlists and return a position where we’re able to accept casual bookings. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding…

Last term we welcomed Alfie, Nate, Lauren, Anna and Alfie - but we still need more! If you know anyone who’d fit the bill - please ask them to contact Ellie on ellie@thehvebondi.com.au

🏖️ Autumn Holiday Program wrap up! 🏖️

Well done to the team for delivering an awesome Autumn Holiday Program; the first one for a long time not significantly impacted by Covid… (although we still had the weather to contend with…)

Check out the pics below!

2022 Term 1 Wk 9-10

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👋 HIVE TEAM UPDATE… 👋

Our recruitment drive continues, and we now welcome NATE onto the team! We’re also very happy to welcome Sydney back from her 5 week visit to family in Canada.

We’re still looking for more staff, so if you hear of anyone who’d fit the bill please ask them to email Ellie with their CV!

Sadly, we bid farewell last week to the lovely Seth, who’d been with us for almost 4 years. Seth leaves us to pursue a post-uni career in film and music. Good luck Seth - we’ll miss you!

And last but definitely not least: we’ve got some hatching chicks arriving next week! They’ll be incubating with us for a couple of weeks, so watch this space for more news! The kids are gonna love them… 🐣 🐤 🐥

💡 PARENT REMINDERS 🤔

The weather is (STILL!) unpredictable and late afternoons can sometimes feel cooler. Please remember to pack school hats and warm layers for the kids, and put their names inside!

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM - few spots left! 🏖️

Bookings opened last week, and they’re going fast! Check out the calendars here! If you’re unable to book, please email us to join the waitlist. Please read the Ts&Cs around cancellation deadlines.

  • LITTLE BEES is for Kindys & Y1 only

  • BIG BEES is for Y2-6

Incorrect bookings are cancelled which means you may end up missing out - so please pay attention when booking. Thank you!

💲💲 BASC VOUCHER SCHEME 💲💲

We emailed you all on 17th March with instructions on how to benefit from this scheme. We’ve also created some FAQs, which you can find on our website.

The vouchers can be used to cover gap fees for before/after school and holiday care.

🐡 Looking for a new home… 🐠


An old friend of The Hive is looking to donate a fish tank to a new home.
Must go this weekend!

Compact 25L aquarium 30x30x30cm. One goldfish included!
Holds up to 3 medium goldfish + snails. Easy to clean…

Interested? Call Olivia on 0490 026 768

2022 Term 1 Wk 8 - Well, hello again!

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😊 HELLO! 👋

It’s a sign of how busy we’ve been that this is the first Hive newsletter of 2022! Apologies for the hiatus (and lack of photos in this one) but we’ve been 100% focused on the wellbeing of the kids. This one is slightly less jazzy than usual, but please take 5 minutes to read - it’s full of helpful and relevant info…

📰 WHAT’S THE NEWS…? 📰

The hot topic is WAITLISTS. We’ve made good progress, but they’re not gone yet. If you’re on the list, please be patient. Rest assured: we have literally every available hand on deck, plus agency staff, plus a huge recruitment drive that’s been going on since November.

On that note, we’re super happy to welcome ZOE, LAUREN, ANNA & ALFIE to the team! They’re all undergoing induction training at the moment and will be great assets to the team - WELCOME ! We continue to recruit and are very hopeful of having an even bigger team soon…

On the rare occasion that we can’t meet ratio - we’re so grateful for your support in volunteering to cancel. We’ve learned it could be helpful to let you know when we have enough volunteers - we’ll remember this next time.

🏖️ HOLIDAY PROGRAM 🏖️

  • HP bookings will open on Tuesday 15th March

  • First day of HP is Mon 11 April

  • We’ll fill up quickly, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

  • It’s important to read the ‘bookings open’ email in detail, particularly the cancellation policy.

🗓️ PARENT REMINDERS 🗓️

  • Remember to NAME all belongings - we have so much unlabelled lost property :-(

  • Kids need a hat every day - no hat play, same rule as school

  • We’re outside whenever we can be - so please remember long sleeves, just in case it’s cool or windy

✅ IMPORTANT : bookings and absences ✅

PLEASE remember to let us know if you’re going to miss a booked Hive session (and avoid that $15 non-notification penalty fee!)

If the absence is due to a Covid isolation order, let us know the iso start/end dates - we can waive the absence charges.