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Conference Summary 2007
The OSCAR Foundation Conference was held at the Christchurch Convention Centre in Christchurch on the 16th – 18th March 2007.
The theme was We Are Family – He Whanau Matou.
This was the first time the conference was held in the South Island, and with 381 delegates from 158 different organisations, it was a very successful weekend.
 Management Day
A Management Training Day was offered prior to the conference, for the first time, on Friday. 84 delegates attended this additional day taking advantage of extra workshops on OSCAR Funding and Employment.
Walk Around The Gardens
Following the Management Day, some delegates enjoyed a leisurely walk around the Christchurch Botanical Gardens with a few OSCAR Foundation staff. With an excellent commentary provided by local OSCAR Advisor, Ariana Sour, this added activity was well received after a day of sitting down listening and learning.
 Drinks Hours
A drinks hour at the Exhibition Show was held on Friday night to allow for a little socialisation. We were privileged to have the company of no less than three Cabinet Ministers; Hon Ruth Dyson, Hon Lianne Dalziel and Hon Clayton Cosgrove.
Two Fat Indians
On Friday night we enjoyed an informal evening of networking and dinner at Two Fat Indians. Delegates enjoyed some wonderful Indian food and students from the School of Jazz provided some brilliant entertainment.
Exhibition Show
 The Exhibition Show was open throughout the Conference and provided valuable information for delegates. It gave them the opportunity to talk to experts, ask questions, and take home resources. The Exhibition Show had sites from:
Official Conference Opening
Delegates were welcomed to the Conference with a powhiri on Saturday morning. The Conference was then officially opened by Christchurch City Councillor, Sally Buck.
Murray Upton, CEO of The OSCAR Foundation, spoke about a number of significant developments recently in the OSCAR sector, and how this would impact on the current and future demand for ‘quality’ OSCAR programmes.
Hon David Benson-Pope, Minister of Social Development and Employment, then addressed delegates. He spoke about the important role out of school services plays in today’s demanding economy and the significant increase in participation in the sector. He also talked about recent research indicating room for improvement and the Government’s commitment to this by developing a Five Year Action Plan for out of school services to ensure the goals of their Choices for Living, Caring and Working initiative are met. 
Workshops
The topics for the Saturday morning workshops included:
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Clay flute making,
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“Go Kids!” motor sensory development,
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Global sounds
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5 minute fillers and bags of tricks
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Our stories
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Policy and procedure boot camp
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The safety and hygiene of food preparation  -
Planning for a CYF assessment
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Employment appraisals,
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Technology in OSCAR.
Group Artspace
Delegates were invited to participate in a flax weaving art project throughout the conference which was available during each day. The project, completed by the end of the conference, consisted of three different size woven baskets full of woven flax flowers. It is now proudly displayed in the National office of The OSCAR Foundation in Auckland.
Keynote Speaker - Robyn Monro-Miller
Robyn Monro-Miller, Executive Officer of the Network of Community Activities in Australia, was our keynote speaker. She talked to delegates about ‘partnership’.
She spoke about the importance of OSCAR programmes establishing partnerships with families through communication and  consultation. Robyn also shared her view on the role of the OSCAR professional in creating a sense of place or community for children and in recognising that childhood today is different from what it was in the past.
Workshops
The Saturday afternoon workshops covered:
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Maori games,
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“Go Kids!” healthy eating,
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African based drum, dance, song and storytelling,
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Hut building,
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Including new families into OSCAR programmes,
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Reapplying for OSCAR funding,
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Identifying children at risk,
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The importance of professional development
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The theory behind ages and stages of development,
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Switching onto studying.
 Discussion Forums
At the end of the day, a dedicated session was provided for discussion forums to take place. This gave delegates the chance to discuss their thoughts and ideas about the relevant topics and feedback to The OSCAR Foundation. The topics included:
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The Maori Advisory Group,
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The impact of multi-culturalism in OSCAR,
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Youth in OSCAR,
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Men in OSCAR,
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Institutionalisation in OSCAR,
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Intergenerational OSCAR.
All the forums created some interesting discussion which was recorded and will provide valuable information for the future of the sector.
Awards Dinner
The OSCAR Foundation hosted the Awards Dinner to celebrate the winners of the OSCAR Foundation 2006 National Awards on Saturday night. In an evening filled with glitz and glamour, the winners were acknowledged for the wonderful contribution and effort they put into the OSCAR sector.
Supported by Accomplish, the Awards Dinner was wonderfully MC’d by princess royal of New Zealand comedy, Michèle A’Court, who entertained delegates throughout the evening.
Workshops
The Sunday morning workshops enabled delegates to get involved in
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Clowning around,
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“Go Kids!” yoga,
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Drama,
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Extending art,
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The exciting mission impossible,
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Keeping their programmes fresh,
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Activity ideas for different ages and stages of development,
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Local governments involvement in OSCAR,
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Listening to families,
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Lighting the fire within. 
A second round of workshops provided delegates with the chance to learn about
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Balloonology,
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"Go Kids!” physical games,
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Cultural awareness,
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Storytelling through art,
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Childcare assistance with the Work and Income subsidy,
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Inclusion of children with a disability into OSCAR programmes,
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Strategic planning and looking to the future of their programme,
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Making OSCAR matter,
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New applications for OSCAR funding,
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Taking a risk with play. 
Guest Speaker - Tawera Nikau
Tawera Nikau, a sensational league player turned motivational speaker, was our guest speaker at the closing of the Conference. Tawera talked about what makes a successful team and encouraged delegates to make the most of every opportunity and experience that comes their way.
Conference Closing
Ann Edge, Chairperson of The OSCAR Foundation, summed up the 2007 National Conference and concluded by praising the work of OSCAR programmes. She reiterated that ‘OSCAR programmes are makers of childhood memories’, a comment Sally Buck made at the beginning of the conference.
"Go Kids!" Song Competition Winners - KAS Kids
Before leaving, delegates were entertained by recent winners of the “Go Kids!” Song Competition, KAS Kids from Kaiapoi. The words to the song were composed by the children of KAS Kids to match a piece of music supplied by “Go Kids!” The children did an excellent job of performing their song, and really reminded the delegates that OSCAR ROCKS!
 Check out our fantastic Conference photos in our Flickr Photo Gallery
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