FOOSHC acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Australia’s First Nations peoples, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today. We pay our respects and give thanks to the land and to Elders past, present, and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture, and the hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the nation. We respect and honour the children who have played on this land for so many years before us and commit to caring for it, in the hope that there are many more to come. FOOSHC is committed to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples unique cultural, spiritual, and educational perspectives and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We are proud to be playing our part towards reconciliation and working together to bridge the gap.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) can be viewed here. We invite you to join our RAP working party.
Culturally important dates 2024 that celebrate or recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.
13 February – Anniversary of National Apology Day
On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to Australia’s Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the injustices of past government policies, particularly to the Stolen Generations.
16 March – National Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day is an annual event that raises awareness and seeks to close the gap with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and non-Indigenous Australians.
26 May – National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day provides an opportunity for people to come together and share the journey towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.
27 May – 1967 Referendum
The 1967 Referendum was a landmark achievement following decades of activism by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people, where more than 90 percent of Australians voted in favour of amending two sections of the Australian Constitution.
27 May to 3 June – National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week celebrations commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey-the anniversaries of the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo Decision.
3 June – Mabo Day
On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia overturned the principle of “terra nullius” or “nobody’s land” as claimed by the British when they first arrived in this country. The decision has paved the way for Native Title legislation.
1 July – Coming of the Light
The Coming of the Light is celebrated annually by Torres Strait Islander peoples. It marks the adoption of Christianity through island communities during the late nineteenth century.
7 July to 14 July – NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
4 August – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is an opportunity to learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
9 August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
On this day, people from around the world are encouraged to spread the United Nation’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous peoples.
6 September – Indigenous Literacy Day
Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of culture, stories, language and literacy. This day raises awareness of the disadvantages experienced in remote communities and advocates for more access to literacy resources.
13 September – Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007.
Prepared by Ali Sewter Jan 2024 for Fooshc RAP working party
Forrest Out of School Hours Care
supports and encourages children
to flourish and fail through a unique
play-focused program.
At FOOSHC it is our core mission to embrace and celebrate play.
Play takes on many forms and is unique to every individual. Through our knowledge and expertise of children and play, we know that children learn through play, therefore we plan for play.
It is inevitable that risk-taking will occur while children play and we believe that this is a beneficial opportunity to develop and master skills. By exposing children to risks they are able to learn their limitations, develop strategies to mitigate and manage the risks they encounter, providing opportunities for further brain growth and development. By not facilitating these opportunities we would actually be doing a great disservice to the children.It is inevitable that risk-taking will occur while children play and we believe that this is a good thing. By exposing children to risks they are able to learn their limitations, develop strategies to cope when faced with risks and so by not facilitating these opportunities we would actually be doing a great disservice to the children.
Whilst at FOOSHC all children will be given opportunities to explore heights, use tools, explore, create and build with various loose parts, and experiment and explore with the different elements, all under the guidance of our highly trained educators.
PHILOSOPHY
Everything we do is in the best interests of the child. We advocate for children’s voices to be heard and we honour and respect their rights, views and ‘being’, as the foundation of our program
We encourage children to learn - in the widest possible sense, about themselves, others, and the world. through unlimited opportunities we guide children to be their own individual self, to have a sense of belonging and ownership, and enable them to become empowered decision makers.
- fooshc
Our Values
Everything we do is in the best interests of the child
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept
Meet the Executive Team
Ali brings a wealth of experience to FOOSHC with over 30 years working with children and their families. She has directed many services throughout Australia within a variety of settings. Her previous role was as a Lecturer at CIT and the University of Canberra in the Education faculty. Her abundance of warmth and kindness brings much love and positive energy to the children and families at FOOSHC .
Favourite Quote: Walk in Love and Peace
Favourite Food: This week- Oysters
Defining moment: Apart from the birth of her babies, it was when Sydney Swans won the 2012 grand final, she was there and it still brings tears to her eyes.
Her Dream Job : She’s doing it
Ali Sewter
Executive Director
Carl has worked in school aged care since 1995 and at Forrest Outside of School Hours Care since 1998. He believes that children deserve the best possible childhood which to him means having plenty of opportunities to broaden their perspectives and feeling the freedom of unstructured time.
His greatest joy of working at Forrest has been the ongoing relationships with children and their families which has sometimes culminated in those children coming back to work with him here at Forrest.
Carl Kroon
Assistant Director
FOOSHC Excellence Team
At Fooshc we love to celebrate and acknowledge each family’s culture & diversity and recognise that different beliefs, practices and traditions greatly enrich our community. We welcome and support all children and their families regardless of their race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. We love to learn about your beliefs and culture so please complete our Family Support Survey and talk to us about how we can make your family feel more welcomed and supported in our service. The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.
