Newcastle Grammar School OOSH Philosophy
Exploration – Imagination – Connection – Discovery
Play: At Newcastle Grammar School OOSH, we recognise play as a fundamental and natural process through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds. Play is viewed as a context for learning, where children engage actively with people, objects and representations. We believe that through play, children can develop critical dispositions such as optimism, perseverance, and confidence, fostering their intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative capacities. We hold the conviction that through play, children cultivate essential qualities such as optimism, resilience and self-assurance, nurturing their holistic growth across intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative domains. Our educational ethos is rooted in a robust play-based learning pedagogy, fostering an environment where children are encouraged to curiously explore, fearlessly experiment and authentically express themselves in a supportive and enriching environment.
Learning: Learning is understood as a lifelong, self-motivated process that begins in early childhood and extends throughout life. We value the agency of children, emphasising their ability to make choices and decisions, and have an impact on their world. We focus on teaching our children how to think as opposed to teaching them what to think. We believe this embraces children’s natural curiosity with the world, challenging them to develop key competencies and skills and igniting their persistent passion for learning. Our educators are intentional, purposeful, and thoughtful in their decisions and actions, co-constructing knowledge with children through meaningful interactions. Pedagogies employed in our program are designed to promote children’s learning, considering diverse modes of communication, including literacy in various forms such as music, movement, dance, storytelling, visual arts, media and drama. We believe in fostering critical reflection to inform future planning and decision-making, with a focus on equity and social justice.
Environment: The NGS OOSH environment is designed to be attuned to the needs and preferences of the children. We believe in creating spaces that encourage cultural inclusion and collaboration, community participation, and a sense of belonging. The physical environment is seen as a scaffold, with educators making deliberate decisions to build on children’s existing knowledge and skills to enhance their learning. We acknowledge the importance of including diverse elements, such as technologies, texts and meaningful leisure opportunities, to support children’s holistic development. Our program strives to create an atmosphere that sparks children’s involvement, characterised by sustained concentration, intrinsic motivation and deep-level learning.
Community and Citizenship: NGS OOSH acknowledges, respects and values Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures and Perspectives. We embrace our shared values of being and becoming socially responsible and showing respect for our environment. We see ourselves as a key part of the local ecosystem and acknowledge the interdependence of plants, animals, the land and people. We view our OOSH community as an integral part of the broader local and global communities. Our Citizenship philosophy means being an active member who contributes to decision-making, takes responsibility for actions, and supports the wellbeing of others and the environment. We recognise and value the diversity of all children, considering their social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds in program design processes. Inclusion is central to our philosophy, ensuring equitable access to resources, participation, and opportunities to demonstrate learning. We invite parents to be actively involved in their child’s learning and encourage open communication with families who are an integral part of the NGS OOSH community. We achieve this through our consistent Xplor observations (Xplor is the software system we use to facilitate the administration at NGS OOSH and allows parents secure observation of students in our care), which showcase student play and give families a glimpse of their child’s OOSH experience. Children’s education is a partnership, and we believe students thrive when we build positive relationships between wider community, home and school.
*Explor is the software system we use to facilitate the administration at NGS OOSH and allows parents secure observation of students in our care.
NGS OOSH Positive Education Statement
At Newcastle Grammar School Out of School Hours (OOSH) we are committed to providing a welcoming, safe and fun environment for all children in our care. By recognising the importance of collaboration between families, communities and our school, we endeavour to create an environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential.
We understand that student wellbeing is comprehensive, acknowledging its multidimensional nature encompassing physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual aspects. This reflects a commitment to supporting each child in various facets of their lives, not just academically but also emotionally and socially.
Newcastle Grammar School is a Visible Wellbeing partnership school. Our OOSH positive education principles revolve around this by prioritising children’s voices, strengths, learning success, relationships and inclusion. We understand that children’s wellbeing is integral to their educational engagement and lifelong fulfilment. By intentionally designing challenging learning experiences and reframing ‘failure’ as opportunities for growth, we cultivate resilience and empowerment. Every child at NGS OOSH deserves the support to thrive, fostering creativity and resilience for lifelong wellbeing. We aim to inspire, engage and empower children as active agents in their own lives and in the lives of others. Our educators are dedicated to nurturing respectful relationships and promoting a positive sense of self in each child. Through inclusive practices and partnerships with families, we create welcoming environments where children feel valued and supported. Our curriculum integrates character strength development, nature experiences, and emotional intelligence education, ensuring holistic development.
We prioritise ongoing professional development to uphold our commitment to Positive Education, fostering a culture of wellbeing for both children and educators. Together, we strive to set the trajectory for lifelong wellbeing and success for every child at Newcastle Grammar School OOSH.
Contact and Bookings
Newcastle Grammar School offers options for busy families who need extra care support outside of School hours.
- All children attending OOSH will need to have a completed enrolment form via the Xplor platform
- Once enrolled bookings can be made through the Xplor home app.
Before School Care
Before School Care is available for Kindergarten – Year 6 students from 7.10am-8.40am.
Fees and booking conditions:
- Before School Care fees are $5 per day.
- Bookings must be placed by 4.00pm the day before care is needed.
- A $25 late fee is payable if the 4.00pm cut-off is missed.
After School Care
After School Care is available for all students, from 2.30pm to 6.00pm. Students enjoy a range of activities including games, gardening, crafts and cooking. Year 3 and above have the opportunity to do their homework.
Fees and booking conditions:
- After School Care fees are $24.20 per day.
- Bookings must be placed by 1.00pm on the day of the service. This is required to fulfil our planning and preparation compliance obligations.
- Only emergency bookings will be considered after this cut-off time and is charged a $25.
- Any cancellations after 1.00pm are non-refundable.
- The centre charges $25 per 15 minutes block for late pickups after 6.00pm.
Vacation Care
The NGS Vacation Care program is available during school holidays between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm for students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Students experience activities including excursions, incursions, sport, craft, art, cooking and play. The program operated in the Practical Activities Room at Park Campus.
Fees and booking conditions:
- Vacation Care fees are $65 for a full day and $40 for a half day.
- Additional costs may occur for excursions and incursions.
- Bookings must be placed by 4.00pm the day before. This is required to fulfil our planning and preparation compliance obligations.
- Only emergency bookings will be considered after this cut-off time and is charged a $25.
- Any cancellations after 4.00pm are non-refundable.
- The centre charges $25 per 15 minutes block for late pickups after 6.00pm.
For any OOSH enquires, contact the team at oosh@ngs.nsw.edu.au or by calling 04 326 393 69
Our centre has been assessed and rated as ‘Meeting National Quality Standards’.
