After a long consultation period, Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School has helped launch a new after school care program this term, and is already reaping the benefits.
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The program has only started this week, and the school only had confirmation it would begin in term three a few weeks before holidays, meaning some parents and carers were yet to book their children in.
The after school care will be run by Centracare, and while it will be held in the hall next to McAuley it is open to students of school all across Orange, with one student from St Mary’s already attending.
Centacare outside school hour care project officer Narelle Howard said the program had been “embraced by families”, with about 20 families jumping on board this week.
“It’s a leisure-based program for students … we’re only offering after school care at the moment but will be aiming to open a before-school care on August 13,” she said.
Catherine McAuley assistant principal Steve Maguire said it was “fantastic” to have the program in place after a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and that it was accessible to not just McAuley students but for the whole community.
“It’s a really good service for families – a lot of the calls we get, even about enrolment, ask about it,” he said.
“It will grow fairly quickly, we’re currently at eight or nine students a day but we’re expecting that to grow to 20 or 30.
“If it gets bigger than that there is scope to change the rooms about and increase capacity.”
He said the school had consulted parents and carers at the end of last year using a survey, and the “overwhelming” response was in support of an after school care program.
“It really helps working families out,” he said.
Afternoon tea is provided for students, and breakfast will be once the before school program opens, with permanent bookings for after school care $20 a day and before school expected to be from $12 a day for ongoing places.
Those looking to find out more should call 0439 631 686 or email mcauleyoshc@centacarebathurst.com.au.
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
