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Up to date OSCAR news, events and activities in the Auckland region.
 A Word From The Local OSCAR Advisors
Professional Development Opportunities
Out Of School Care Network (OSCN)
A Word From The Local OSCAR Advisors
We welcome to our new OSCAR Advisors in Auckland, Susannah and Anastasia.
Kia-ora Koutou, I have great pleasure in welcoming Susannah and Anastasia as your Auckland based OSCAR Advisors for the National Advisory team. I know you will welcome them with your usual warm professional style and will quickly appreciate the knowledge, professionalism and positives that they will use to enrich your regional services and working relationships. This is an exciting time for Auckland.
The New Year is a great time to pause for reflection and planning. For me the bamboo plant springs to mind as an analogy for OSCAR. Bamboo is treasured for many reasons: it grows quickly, it is an easily renewable resource, it is beautiful and graceful to look at. All of the plant can be used - the sprouts can be eaten, the inner stem can be used as medicine, and the stalk makes good construction material. But the most remarkable attribute of the bamboo plant is its flexibility. The bamboo will bend, but not break.
We in OSCAR can learn from this example. We often have unexpected changes in our OSCAR lives and where we remain flexible, and adapt, we pass through these times successfully.
Have a great term everyone.
Julie King
OSCAR Advisor Team Leader
Introductions
Susannah
Hello! I am one of the newly appointed OSCAR Advisors for the Auckland region. I have recently relocated to Auckland (with my husband) from Te Puke in order to take on this exciting role. Prior to this role, I have had experience in the care and nurturing of children as a children’s camp leader, a private nanny, spending time working at a summer camp in the United States before returning home and starting Bkidz OSCAR in Central Tauranga. In 2008 Bkidz was named winner of the Thames, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty Regional OSCAR Award and the National Outstanding OSCAR Programme Award winner and Supreme OSCAR Award winner.
I understand how much of a blessing it is to work with children and see the positive impact it has on families in our community and how much hard work it takes to do this! I am looking forward to having the opportunity to share ideas, provide assistance, advice and having a constructive relationship with all members of the OSCAR sector.
Anastasia
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone within The OSCAR Foundation for the warm welcome and support that I have received. After spending time in the corporate world I am looking forward to working in the OSCAR sector again.
My career in the OSCAR sector started whilst I was a student at Uni’ working part time as a programme assistant. My interest and passion for the role grew and I was promoted through various roles, eventually becoming OSCAR team leader for a number of After School and School Holiday Programmes with a Community Trust.
After a successful term here, I moved into Education Recruitment for two years and have come back to the OSCAR sector ready and looking forward to working with our OSCAR professionals enriching the lives of children and tamariki throughout Auckland.
Wall Planner
OSCAR Foundation members should have received your OSCAR 2010 Wall Planner, full of useful dates with both National and Regional information. Keep this up and in an area for all staff to see as a useful reminder for when to look out for our School’s Out! magazine in the post, or when to attend our Auckland Training and Network Meetings.
Police Vetting
Don’t forget about the recent changes to the Police Vetting review cycle. To align with the Teacher’s Vetting cycle OSCAR providers are now required to review staff police vets every three years as opposed to two. In a recent phone call to The Police Vetting and Licensing office, we were told that Vets take on average 30 days to process, however they too have busy times and delays are always possible. So keep on top of vetting and send your Vetting forms at least 3-6 months before they expire.
Tip – Photocopy, date and appropriately file your police checks before sending them in the post, that way you can keep better track of outstanding Police Checks and have a copy to reference should you need to call the Police Vetting and Licensing office for an E.T.A.
Susannah and Anastasia
Professional Development Opportunities
Networking Meetings
OSCAR Networking is an opportunity that has the potential to have you all on the edge of your seats due to its popularity with providers and the valuable sharing that takes place. This is because it really is for people. Bringing every kind of OSCAR provider group together in one place and letting them interact is really a big thing indeed.
Look out for future networking meetings in your area.
The OSCAR Foundation National Conference
Look out for bargain flights to Wellington for this year’s National OSCAR conference. Registration are open with Early Bird registration closing on March 19. Register online early to you don't miss out on this fantastic networking and development opportunity. With this year’s theme is set as ‘Reflections on Quality’ there will be many inspirational ideas and models for you to take back to enhance your programmes and enrich childhood experiences.
More about Conference and to register
Out Of School Care Network (OSCN) 
The Out of School Care Network (Auckland) Inc, (OSCN) also operates in the Auckland area. Their services for OSCAR programmes include courses, resources and publications.
For course bookings and fees phone: 09 366 0320 or email 
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