Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is an annual event organised by Reconciliation Australia, to encourage all Australians to reflect, learn from and connect with First Nations peoples and Communities. The 2025 NRW theme Bridging Now to Next, invited all Australians to acknowledge the past, act in the present, and shape a future grounded in truth and respect.
During NRW our preschoolers related to the theme by learning about MBH past acts of reconciliation. Teachers took the children to see and talk about our Sea of Hands, Kinship mural, Bush Tucker Garden, black and white tile prints that were inspired by Badger Bates and watched films created with MBH children on reconciliation. They also learnt about stories, symbolism, and strength behind NRW by studying Kalkadoon’s 2025 NRW artwork.
MBH has been committed to raising awareness about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, histories, and ways of knowing and being since the development of our first Aboriginal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2014. Our current RAP can be viewed https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/
Out of School Hours Care (OOSH)
The OOSH team have been collaborating with their children to devise the next Vacation Care Program and it’s now complete. It is packed with exciting incursions and excursions that will attract and engage children from five to 12 years. They’ve reflected on the highpoints from our last holiday program to maintain the fun and excitement. A key feature of this vacation care program is that there is one party each week. The children enjoyed the Easter party so much that a Christmas in July party is planned. What better way to connect with and have FUN with friends.
If you would like to child to enrol your child in OOSH so they can attend vacation care program, please contact the OOSH Coordinator Frances Windon at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au Numbers are limited for certain excursions so book early so your child doesn’t miss out.
Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH