Active In-Betweens Term 2 2025 

I think it’s amazing you teach these cooking skills so young and I can really see their confidence grow here and at home with the food they eat. Xx use to be a picky eater and now wlll try most things and I really think this is because of your program.

– Mum, Warilla

Term 2 started with a training session for staff by ACON on the issues of gender identity and sexuality. It was informative, curious, engaging and empowering to learn and build skillsets to support young people in these area. 

Term 2 has an overarching focus on safety and we addressed issues such as online, cultural, identity and drug and alcohol safety. Active in-Betweens always comes from a curiosity and strengths based approach to the issues the local children are identifying. This means that whilst there is health promotion message it can vary in implementation depending on the site. And no boring health promotion lessons here…. always through fun active games and relationships with positive role models as key! 

The term had three stand out sessions to the staff: 

Online safety: this issue is increasing and escalating. There has been a lot of changes in the landscape with phone bans in school and emerging social media bans for under 16. We ran some games getting curious with children about their experiences online on social media, video and gaming platforms. Sadly most children had been victim or witnessed so type of unwanted behaviour online from strangers approaching them in gaming to bullying from peers. We went through safety plans with the children and identified ways they could tell people if something happening online. This will be an issues that we’ll continue to support with the young people and advocate for more widely. 

Bush Play: We collaborated with Bush magic adventure this term to bring the children to an amazing creek at Avondale where uninterrupted nature play was the goal! It was so heartwarming to hear the shrieks of joy when they arrived and children just ran into the bush! Beautiful childhood memories! We also used tools and created a fire to roast apples and marshmallows! There were lots of happy minds and bodies reluctantly leaving as nighttime came but definitely an amazing session highlight! 

Knife and Food safety: Cooking session are always a hit at all sites for the children who are learning life skills so early and the parents to get to eat the delicious food! This term we made burritos and chicken jerks curry, all jam packed with veggies and adding in pulses and beans superfoods for the body! As cooking is a regular at our program some of the older children have gained confidence to run the knife safety demonstrations in front of their peers. This gives them confidence in public speaking, group facilitation and is positive role models to others. 

During this term we also go the opportunity to advocate for play in this important (and often under recognised) developmental age through radio interviews and presenting at the International Play Association Asia Pacific conference with 250 delegates across 8 nations. The conference was inspiring advocacy for play and incoming blog about the overall experience. 

Koonawarra community centre opening is going from strength to strength alongside our other sites, Albion Park Rail, Bellambi, Bundaleer, and Warilla. 

Term 3 starts week 28th of July in all locations and we’d love for new children to join. If you are interested please check out the website for more information and registration details https://healthycities.org.au/programs/active-in-betweens/  

With thanks to Barnardos Community for Children Shellharbour, Dapto’s League and Australian Drug Foundation LDAT for funding these community programs. 

Whenever I play Roblox there’s always some weirdos there saying stupid stuff. I don’t tell my mum though as then she’ll make me turn it off. Young person regarding online safety.

– Child, Bundaleer