At Camelot Rise Primary School, a heartwarming story unfolds through the dedication of two extraordinary women who, as both friends and colleagues, have become the heart and soul of the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program. Denise Holmes and Annette Amad-Corson work side by side, nurturing and guiding countless children in a warm and welcoming environment. Their special bond and shared experience make them an inspiring duo whose impact on the community is immeasurable.
Denise Holmes began her career as an educator in 1997, bringing a deep passion for working with children and a commitment to making a difference. Her journey began with working with Aboriginal children in an educational setting before relocating to Melbourne with her son. When an opportunity for an OSHC Assistant arose at her son’s primary school, Denise eagerly embraced the role and has worked in OSHC ever since.
Annette Amad-Corson’s story began in Year 11 when she started tutoring young children, which sparked her interest in education. A serendipitous meeting at a holiday program led Denise to invite Annette to join the team at Camelot Rise. Since then, their collaboration has turned into a dynamic and enriching friendship and partnership.
Denise and Annette’s decades of combined experience shine through in their interactions with children and their beautifully organised, colourful and comforting OSHC room. The foundation of their success is rooted in relationship building, evident in their close connections with the school principal, their inclusion in school newsletters, invites to graduations, and participation in school tours. As Denise enthusiastically reflects,
“We are considered an integral part of the school,” adding, “The principal is so proud to unlock that door and open up this space.”
The two women share a strong sense of purpose: a dedication to creating a sense of belonging, which is at the heart of their inclusive approach to care.
“We had a child here that was on the spectrum who had a lot of additional needs, and we worked with the family very closely and to see this particular child grow, develop relationships… especially learning social skills while he was with us... We all worked together, and that child graduated and has gone on to high school but still pops his head in the door to say hello. That was a real win.” – Denise Holmes
Denise and Annette radiate warmth and openness, jovially sharing their fun experiences and embracing child-like joy and laughter in their daily routines.
“If you’re an educator, I always say, you need to have your inner kid and know that it’s okay to laugh. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried with children. We’ve lived through lots of different scenarios and different things that have happened. They’ll do one thing, and it’ll just blow my mind, and I’ll say, ‘Annette, come and have a look at what this child has done,’ but every day they’ll teach us something.” – Denise Holmes
Annette adds that it’s not only the children who learn from them, “the children can teach us lots of things too. They’re teaching us things every day.”
Over the years, Denise and Annette have witnessed significant changes in the OSHC sector. They recall the transition from handwritten documents to computerised programming and the introduction of new regulations. Despite these advancements, one of their greatest challenges has been changing community perceptions of OSHC. Denise says it’s about showing the depth of what educators do, “We are trying really hard to ensure the community realises we are educators, not babysitters… It’s something that we can improve on at schools and with parents, and I know that we use the right terminology, but it’s still lacking a little bit. We can do better.”
Annette adds to this, emphasising the importance of relationship building to foster understanding, “[The parents] like to know a little bit about us and get the rest of the community knowing about us so that they know the children are going to be safe.”
“Out of school hours care has definitely changed from years ago… Now, the students are doing hands-on activities which are aimed to meet the needs of the students. There are so many rich tasks the students are doing and the variety of food is fantastic, and students look forward to coming to the OSHC Program and the parents know that the children will be looked after and cared for.” – Matthew Coney, Principal at Camelot Rise Primary School.
The trust Denise and Annette have earned from their community is a testament to their dedication and hard work as educators. Denise reflects on the enormity of their role, “Their children are the most loved possession that they have, and it’s very hard to hand children over to someone you don’t know. And they’ve given Annette and I the chance to do that and, knowing that they’ve trusted us and that they’re happy. That obviously comes about with a lot of feedback that parents are now able to give.”
Principal, Matthew Coney praised the duo and their team, “Our school community is always positive talking about the coordinators and the staff. They are always warm and receptive and looking out for the needs and best interests of the students. They listen to what the interests of the students are and try to adapt their program to have the students engaged and looking forward to the OSHC experience.”
Denise and Annette have cultivated a vibrant space where children feel supported. Relationship building, connection and thoughtful activities such as yarning circles are central to the nurturing environment of their service.
Annette shares a story of the type of daily wins they experience with the children, “We’ve got a child that’s very quiet. Well, I noticed, and I pointed it out to Denise, she just walked over and she actually asked to join a game. Now to somebody else, that might be ‘oh big deal’, but that was a very big step for her. Now, we didn’t draw it necessarily to her attention, but we noted it, and we saw. She’s made an improvement, she’s moving, she’s feeling a little bit more comfortable in the room, she’s realising she can do that. So that was fantastic to see.”
“Child-initiated play is really, really important. Relationships are really important, a sense of belonging, and they’re the things that we build on here. From the minute that you open the door into this room, we want children to have that connection of this is a bright, happy, fun place to be, but I also have time to be me.” – Denise Holmes
As they reflect on their journey, Denise and Annette are filled with pride and gratitude for the community they have built. Their heartfelt connections and lasting relationships with countless children highlight the essence of OSHC, which goes well beyond just care. Their story is a shining example of dedication, teamwork, and the profound impact that educators can have on the lives of children they care for.
“It just takes one child to make a real success of their life and be happy to have made everything that Annette and I do worthwhile.”
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