education Archives

It’s never too early to learn about animals…

03-06-2015/0 Comments/in Cire Children's Services, Cire News, Community Support/by Cire_Admin

Last month we were lucky to have a visit from Debbie of the Mt Evelyn Vet Clinic. Debbie ran an exciting program for the children called PetPEP (Pets and People Education Program) which is an initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association throughout Australia. PetPEP teaches children and the community about responsible pet ownership, safety around animals, healthy living (pets and people), welfare of animals and animals in the community. The program helps integrate responsible pet care messages into the classroom, to teach our next generation about the responsibilities associated with owning animals and how to behave safely around them.

Debbie brought her gorgeous little one year old dog Hugo in with her to demonstrate to the children how to behave around animals. Debbie taught the children about the difference between friendly, scared and aggressive animals, and how we should (or should not) approach them safely. After this, she taught the children the safest way to approach a friendly dog and ask their owner if they could have a pat. They all got to give Hugo a pat which he lapped up of course. Hugo then showed us some tricks which had smiles all round. Once all the serious stuff was over the children jumped at the opportunity to dress up and role play as Vets and Vet Nurses, fun was had by all.

To find out more about the PetPEP (Pets and People Education Program) click here.

UYCH Community College offers Certificate III in Animal Studies, click the link to find out more.

Learn locally – kick start your career

13-05-2015/0 Comments/in Cire News, Cire Training, Community News/by Cire_Admin

The following article appeared in the Mail newspaper (Education Week feature) – Tuesday 12th May 2015

Upper Yarra Community House has recently partnered with ECOSS in Wesburn, close to both their Yarra Junction and Mount Evelyn Campuses.

This is a great opportunity for people who want to learn locally and are looking to start a career in this rewarding sector.

Both UYCH and ECOSS are committed to delivering quality training along with excellent facilities in the heart of the Yarra Valley, which is known for its outstanding produce and agriculture.

By partnering with ECOSS there will also be a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable agriculture techniques.

UYCH are one of the main providers in the outer east offering the Certificate II in Horticulture, a newly developed course that is highly regarded by industry experts.

It’s a great hands on course which will not only enrich the learning experience, but it’s a great opportunity to further promote sustainable living within our local community.

Short but informative’ Introduction to Horticulture’ courses are also being run.

Partnering with another local not for profit organisation, like ECOSS, ensures that UYCH can further enhance education opportunities for our local community.

For further information on Certificate II in Horticulture and Introduction to Horticulture short courses click here or call 1300 835 235.

If you would like to know more about ECOSS visit www.ecoss.org.au

Practice makes perfect

07-05-2015/0 Comments/in Cire Training/by Cire_Admin

Students perform health checks on a couple of four legged volunteers.

As they say practice makes perfect, and what better way to learn than to practice on the real thing? Our Certificate III Animal Studies class at Mt Evelyn got just that last week. Our Corporate Services Coordinator at the Mt Evelyn Campus bought her two kelpies into the class as real-life models for our students to perform their canine health checks. Putting into practice what they’ve been learning in theory. Hands on experience is by far the best way to learn so having animals visit not only provides real life examples it also makes the loads of fun.

Scout and Dusty (the kelpies) were bought in for the students to check their, ears, gums, teeth, body muscles and heartbeat, an all over examination. Scout was very obliging, lapping up the attention from everyone and giving the students a good idea of how to perform the health check. Dusty on the other hand wasn’t so keen on the idea of playing patient for our enthusiastic students and opted to hide out under the tables or just sit with mum until it was all over.

Here’s what some of our students had to say about the real-life assessment:

“being able to get a hands on experience of a healthy dog was engaging and educating” Casey

“it was great doing the practical assessment and being able to practice on real-life animals” Jo

If you love animals and could see yourself making a career working in the animal industry contact us today to find out more about your options. We are currently taking enrolments in the Certificate III Animal Studies for Semester 2, scheduled to commence in July.

UYCH Bush Kinder learns about Anzac Day

30-04-2015/0 Comments/in Cire Children's Services, Cire Good news stories, People in the community/by Cire_Admin

You’re never too young to start learning about the importance of Anzac Day.

Image of the UYCH Bush Kinder kids looking at the 2015 Anzac display

Even Superman was inspired by the Anzac Day display.

The UYCH Bush Kinder Anzac Day program is now in it’s second year. Each year we display photos of reletives who went to war so the children can visit the wall and learn about the people in the pictures. This builds awareness and gives Anzac Day a personal perspective for the children to relate to.

It doesn’t stop there the week leading up to Anzac Day is full of questions as their growing minds learn all about the brave men and women who fought for our country many years ago. Last Friday the children had a visitor from the Upper Yarra Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL), Mr Reeves who volunteered his time to give a talk on Anzac Day and what it means to people in our community. During his visit Mr Reeves read the children a book and showed them war memorabilia. The children were very enthusiastic and had many things to say about Anzac Day, Mr Reeve’s talk and of course Anzac biscuits”.

“Mr Reeves talked about lots of things; he talked about war and even about Simpson and his donkey and everything. He bought a hat and a jacket” Meisha

“Mr Reeves talked to us about a war and read us a story about Anzac Day. He showed us his helmet.” Ayla

“He read us this story. I gave Mr. Reeves a rosemary and Meisha gave him a piece of paper to say thank you” Heidi

“I went in the morning and didn’t have a badge but now I have two badges” Lochie

“They have biscuits named after them” Benjamin

“He taught me we get up early and it is still dark (Dawn Service)” Clair

“I have one Anzac badge I got from my cousin, just one” Sam

“We made Anzac Day biscuits and you put poppy’s around the soldiers (War Memorial)” Miami

Mr Reeves then had an opportunity to speak to our educators to offer feedback on the program. He was impressed with the children’s knowledge of Anzac Day and cannot wait till next year’s visit. UYCH Family and Children’s centre would like to thank Mr Reeves for his time and appreciate the knowledge he shared with us all. Lest we forget.

Feel free to comment on this article we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to know more about our Bush Kindergarten please contact our Family and Children’s Centre on 03 5967 2776.

Learn more

VCAL Students visit the Essendon Football Club

28-04-2015/0 Comments/in Cire Community School, Cire Youth Services/by Cire_Admin

A visit to the Essendon Football Club, just the thing to inspire our students…

On Wednesday 22nd of April our VCAL campuses (Yarra Junction and Mt Evelyn) got together to go an excursion to Essendon Football Club. The students took the one hour bus trip out to Tullamarine to go and check out the new training facilities at the True Value Solar Centre.

When they arrived we were taken into the player’s lecture theatre where they met Josh Hose (Paralympian – Wheelchair Rugby gold medallist), Orazio Fantasia (Essendon footballer), and Kyle Langford (Essendon Footballer). Each of the hosts shared stories about their experiences in becoming successful athletes.

Josh Hose talked about how a car accident in 2005 led him to end up in a wheelchair and how he overcame a lot of difficulties to end up winning a gold medal at the London Olympics.

Orazio Fantasia spoke about how he had a tough experience at school and got into a lot of trouble before deciding to dedicate himself to achieving his goals at school and in football.

Kyle Langford spoke about how he had been in a lot of trouble for fighting in his early teenage years before deciding that he needed to make better decisions if he was going to achieve his goals in life.

Michelle Murray (Education Program Coordinator at EFC) then took the students through a discussion about risk taking, smoking, drug use and peer pressure. A big thank you goes out to Michelle for organising these great programs and accommodating us for the last 4 years, we straitly appreciate it.

After the discussions we had a chance to wear Josh Hose’s gold medal and take some photos. We also had a chance to ask questions of the speakers who were all very open and honest in their responses.

Then came the fun part – We were taken into the new indoor sports facility located in a huge hangar. We had the chance to kick the footy with the Essendon players and get to know them better. We also had Michelle and Josh take us through a game of “blind ball” where students were blindfolded and had to throw a ball with a bell in it towards the opposing team’s goal. All of the students had a great time during the sporting activities and got to experience something that they wouldn’t normally be able to.

Finally, we went on a tour of the facilities at EFC, which included their new gym, the locker rooms, the hot/cold pools and laps pool. The first joint excursion between the Yarra Junction and Mount Evelyn VCAL campuses was a great day for all involved.

Article by – Mark Hunt
VCAL Coordinator

If you know of someone that could benefit from our education services or would like to know more call
1300 835 235.

Words from our students

24-03-2015/in Cire Good news stories, Cire Short Courses, Cire Training/by Cire_Admin

UYCH Kitchen Skills’ students were asked to write down one word each that describes how they feel about their Introduction to Kitchen Skills class. These words reflect just how important everyday livings skills are to the people in our community and the need for social interaction. Not only are cooking skills essential to a healthy lifestyle, the social aspect of these classes help bring people together who have a common interest and a need to get out and socialise. Students enjoy picking up tips and cooking in class but it is the social aspect that really shines through. Every Wednesday morning the Mt Evelyn campus smells like a scene out of Master Chef as the students prepare the day’s dish, but is is the activity that can be heard which highlights the positive atmosphere generated in this class, here are what some of the students have to say about this popular class.

“This course has helped me at home and with life skills.” Josh

“I like socialising and meeting people which has built my confidence.” Trudy

“I now have lots of recipe ideas and best of all we get to sample everything at the end of the class.” Heidi

If you feel you could benefit from this course or know someone that who might, click here to learn more…

Dishes prepared by the students

Hungry? VCAL Students sausage rolls recipe

03-03-2015/0 Comments/in Cire Recipes/by Cire_Admin

Our Mt Evelyn campus was smelling delightful last week. Our VCAL students were busy making yummy homemade sausage rolls and chocolate chip muffins, and they were simply delicious so we thought we would give you the recipe for one of the dishes for you to try yourself. Make sure to let us know how you went as we love feedback at UYCH and share the recipe with your family and friends.

Sausage Rolls Recipe (make them at home)

Ingredients

400g sausage mince
300g chicken mince
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 medium carrot, grated
1 medium zucchini, grated
1 cup (65g) fresh breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt & freshly ground pepper
2 eggs
3 sheets frozen puff pastry, semi thawed
1 tablespoon (10g) sesame seeds
Tomato sauce, to serve

Method

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 200°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Mix both minces, onion, garlic, carrot, zucchini, breadcrumbs, parsley, nutmeg and seasoning together. Beat 1 egg and add to mince mixture. Divide into 6 equal portions.
Step 2:
Cut pastry sheets in half. Roll a mince portion until 25cm long. Place down the centre of pastry. Beat remaining egg and brush edges.
Step 3:
Roll up to enclose filling, and cut into 6 pieces. Place on trays, seam side down. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 20 mins, reduce heat to 180°C, and cook for 10 minutes until golden. Serve with tomato sauce.

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