NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2014

Welcome to the next installment of our playgroup newsletter. It has been wonderful being able to enjoy our sessions outside while the weather was hot. I know I'm not ready to rug up for the cold change just yet! So during autumn, we look forward to some days of sunshine and other days our kids will have to wear all weather clothes to make damp sand castles and play on the outdoor equipment. While we enjoy a cuppa and good conversation, our children can also continue to complete the very interactive activities; which my daughter loves doing and taking to her nannas to share. Equally wonderful has been seeing how many new people have joined our playgroup this term. Our member numbers are up by over 60% Welcome! Please note in your diaries that Term 2 for Playgroup will start back on the 29th April, as public holidays and school first and second days off in the area fall on the first week back. So what's news? Would anyone like to share their good news? Please leave us a note in the folder or mail box in the storeroom and I can add the details to our next newsletter. Any suggestions you have regarding playgroup and how we can make things better are always welcome, please jot them down in the communications folder in the store room or let your Group Leader/s know. Happy Playgrouping! Term 2 Fees are due now Online Banking Details

Westpac Banking Corporation BSB 033 695 ACC No 157 629 Ref: Mothers Name and Session Time Or Alternatively Cash Payments in the secure Mailbox in our Storage Room. There are envelopes available, above the mailbox, please write mothers name and session time on the front of envelope

SAVE THE DATE! 2014 BUNNINGS FUNDRAISING BBQ & CHRISTMAS PARTY
Our annual Bunnings BBQ has been confirmed for Sunday 24th August this year. Let's all get behind this fundraiser to make it more successful than ever before so we can have a fantastic Christmas party! Speaking of Christmas party, please let us know what youd like to do this year. We have a few ideas already but would love to have your feedback as the party is for everyone!

NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2014

PRESIDENTS REPORT TERM DATES
It has been a crazy first term with heaps of new members and everyone just trying to settle in to some sort of TERM 2 routine. 29 APR 27 JUN Whether you have chosen to become a more structured group, or to keep it simple, I hope you are all findTERM 3 ing time to do our weekly craft which Jo has been doing such a great job with. 14 JUL 19 SEPT We have had a few hiccups already this year with the community centre putting our rates up another $1 per TERM 4 hour to use the outdoor area. This was not introduced 6 OCT 19 DEC until after our AGM, so this is something we might need help with. I was hoping that the Bunnings BBQ (for our 2014 Committee Christmas party) would be the only fundraiser this year. However, $12 per week means we will need an President extra $480 for the year. Any suggestions on how to raise Deb Langton these funds would be greatly appreciated. Maybe another BBQ at Masters?? Vice President On a happier note, my group has settled in nicely. With Michelle Goddard only 6 existing members we have welcomed 7 new Public Officer families. They are all lovely families and our group runs Maria Chetcuti so well. I can only hope that your experience is like mine. If you do have any complaint, suggestions etc, Enrolment Officer please discuss them with your group leaders and I am Vacant sure between them and us we can sort anything out. Any members who would like to be more hands on, Treasurer each term I will be attending sessions to ensure you Michelle Fiorillo have group leaders, these positions are filled by memActivities bers that are willing to open up at the beginning of Co-ordinator each session and to ensure that our set up/pack ups Jo Abdou are done. They are responsible for welcoming new Fundraising Officer members and are the communication between groups and the committee. If you are interested, please read Rachael Barrand through the job description in the sign in book. If you General Members have any major queries I am happy for you to call me Jelena Hanson direct on 0402145261. Therese Hargreaves Hope you have had a fun term and hope to see you all in term two. Deb

NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2014

TERM 2 ACTIVITIES
The scheduled activities for Term Two are:

Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Date
29th, 30th & 1st April/May 5th, 6th & 7th May 12th, 13th & 14th May 19th, 20th & 21st May 26th, 27th & 28th May 2nd, 3rd & 4th June 9th, 10th & 11th June 16th, 17th & 18th June 24th, 25th & 26th June

Activity
Lion Faces Mothers Day Craft Itsy Bitsy Spiders Shakers Hungry Caterpillar Finger Painting Woolly Sheep Cupcake Chickens Masks

NATURE PLAY WEEK

The Inaugural Nature Play Week is running from 1-6 April 2014. Nature Play Week is a new signature event that celebrates initiatives of all shapes and sizes that reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors. Nature Play Week was developed collaboratively by individuals and organisations involved in the Kids in Nature Network (previously Victorian Child and Nature Connection) and a part of Premiers Active April. Premiers Active April challenges all Victorians to get more active, more often and do 30 minutes of physical activity a day during April. Go to http://natureplayweek.org.au/ for further information and a list of events during this time.

NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2014

PLAYGROUP VICTORIA
For all of our new members and those whose Playgroup Victoria Insurance has lapsed, this needs to be paid in full directly to Playgroup Victoria prior to you attending Playgroup. Please refer to Playgroup Victorias website at www.playgroup.org.au or call them on their toll free number 1800 171 882 for further information.

2014 ENROLMENT DRIVE

We have had a very successful start to 2014 in regards to enrolment. We now have a waiting list of people who will be joining our groups next term and weve been able to open up more session times, which is fantastic! Therefore we will no longer need to hold a specific enrolment day drive to recruit more members. However, in saying this, we are always looking for more members to fill our groups through the year. If you know anyone who is looking to join a new playgroup, please let them know they can come along for a trial session and refer them to our website http://www.pointcookplaygroup.org.au or email enrolments@pointcookplaygroup.org.au

KIDS RECIPE IDEAS

Egg-Free Blueberry Muffins Makes about a dozen muffins Allergy Note: contains wheat and dairy ingredients 2 cups plain flour 2/3 cup caster sugar 1 Tbs. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup milk 1 cup blueberry yogurt 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup blueberries * *You can use frozen blueberries or replace with your favourite fruit Preheat oven to 180 C. Line muffin pan with paper liners. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix together butter, milk, yogurt and vanilla extract in a small mixing bowl. Pour into the dry mixture and mix till combined. Gently fold in the blueberries. Using an ice cream scooper, divide the batter equally into the muffin pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. My Daughter loves helping me to mix these up, just try and not mix it too much Any recipe ideas? Please forward them to us and we will post them in our next newsletter.

JOKE
Q: Why do kangaroo mums hate bad weather? A: Their joeys have to play inside!