Educators celebrated across the shire

NATIONAL Out of School Hours (OOSH) Educators Day was celebrated last week, recognising their vital role in supporting children in before and after school care as well as vacation care during the school holidays.

The theme this year was Valuing every OOSH educator, every day.

Nurruby Children’s Services chief executive officer Rebecca Dridan praised educators for their caring nature and for providing engaging and meaningful activities for primary-aged children.

National Out of School Hours Educators Day celebrations in Boggabri, pictured, Nurruby board member Stacey Offerman, BBOOSH director, Krystal Hobden, and BBOOSH educators Ella Hobden and Camille Wannan.

“Nurruby is fortunate to employ exceptional staff who take their profession seriously, taking pride in supporting child wellbeing and development,” she said.

“The Nurruby Board were excited to participate in OOSH Educators Day, to highlight and recognise the work that our educators do.

“In the very busy world that we’re living in today, being thankful and showing gratitude for the care and support being provided by educators is often overlooked.

National Out of School Hours Educators Day celebrations in Narrabri, pictured Nurruby OOSH director, Jessica Voysey, OOSH educators Ellie Dewson and Jenna Fladrick with Nurruby board members Stephanie Brooker and Jessie Schwager.

“This was a simple, but powerful, way of showing our OOSH educators that they are valued and highlight to the community the value of OOSH care services.”

Nurruby Children’s Services delivers four OOSH services across the Narrabri Shire, with two, Nurruby OOSH and Nurruby Narrabri OOSH, located in Narrabri, one in Boggabri and one in Wee Waa.

Rebecca explained the services provided options for local families.

OOSH cake cutting in Narrabri to mark Educators Day, pictured Jessica Voysey, Ellie Dewson and Jenna Fladrick.

“Enabling parents or guardians to work while knowing their child or children are being cared for by qualified educators, and are interacting with their peers in safe and supervised environments,” she said.

Nurruby marked Educators Day at each OOSH service last Wednesday, with the celebrations including a presentation by board members and a delicious cake shared with the children and enjoyed by all.

National Out of School Hours Educators Day celebrations in Wee Waa last week, pictured back, WWOOSH educator Chelsea Humphries, WWOOSH director Anita Beverley-Smith, WWOOSH educators Mia Kiem and Ayisha Titimira, Nurruby Children’s Services chief executive officer Rebecca Dridan, president of Nurruby Children’s Services management board Kate Kahl; middle, Thinaya Meegolla, Pip Chaplain, Kaia Gratsounas, Marnie Lowder-Worrell, Caitlin Rabbett, Indi Johnson and Percy Lowder-Worrel;, front, Anna Chaplain, Charlotte Watling, Evie Russell, Matilda Russell, Alex Hartnett, Penelope Russell and Arley Johnson. Absent from photo: educator Miranda Davis.

“Many children at each service demonstrated their connection to the educators and OOSH service through their positive interactions and comments made about how much they enjoy going to OOSH.”

Rebecca said she is ‘incredibly proud’ of her team.

“The working hours of an OOSH educator can be challenging, with split shifts of Before and After School Hours care as well as managing emotions and behaviours of groups of children, getting them ready for school or decompressing after,” she said.

Nurruby Children’s Services chief executive officer Rebecca Dridan, president of Nurruby Children’s Services management board Kate Kahl, Penelope Russell and WWOOSH director Anita Beverley-Smith, who spoke about her love of the job and working with wonderful children. Anita also thanked the team, including Jess Voysey for her support.

“The skills and commitment of our educators is demonstrated every day at OOSH, reflected in children’s attendance and genuine connection with OOSH educators and environments.

“With a focus on child safety and wellbeing as the paramount guiding principle for service delivery, our educators continue to strive to provide the experiences and activities that keep children engaged and learning across all areas of their development.”

Nurruby Children’s Services chief executive officer Rebecca Dridan, WWOOSH director Anita Beverley-Smith, WWOOSH educators Chelsea Humphries, Ayisha Titimira and Mia Kiem, and president of Nurruby Children’s Services management board Kate Kahl.

Relatively new to the chief executive role, Rebecca joined the celebration in Wee Waa and said she was enjoying the position.

“I have been working with Nurruby since Prue Jamieson’s retirement as managing director in April and am impressed and grateful for the fabulous team that Prue had created in her almost 35-year tenure with the organisation,” she explained.

Caitlin Rabbett and Anita Beverley-Smith cutting the cake in Wee Waa to celebrate National Out of School Hours Educators Day last Wednesday.

“Nurruby has grown significantly over the last five years, in response to community need, to now deliver early childhood education and care and OOSH services in Narrabri, Boggabri and Wee Waa, in addition to a new preschool service opened in collaboration with the Boggabri Public School in 2026.

“Nurruby will continue to prioritise high-quality education and care for children, partnering with local agencies, supporting children and families to thrive in our local community.”