Information and networking event for families
The International Family Information and Networking Event is the perfect opportunity to meet other international students with families and hear from community experts about childcare, English language classes and support services. Register now to come along with your family.

When: Friday August 17, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Where: Graduate Hub, Seminar Room 2, Campbell Hall, 21 Sports Walk, Clayton campus

Postgrad Parent Club
You’re always welcome to Postgrad Parent Club meetings! Meet other parents over a cuppa while your kids play! Contact Rhian Adlam to register.
When: Clayton – every second Thursday, 2:00pm at Saporo Cafe, New Horizons
Caulfield – every second Thursday, 10:00am at Monsu Cafe

Parenting rooms on campus
Did you know all of our campuses have special facilities for feeding, breastfeeding, expressing milk, baby changing and soothing? More info here.

Meet with other first time parents
Monash Council organises parent groups which enable first-time parents to meet in a supportive environment and learn valuable information. Groups are facilitated by qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses who are there to answer any questions you have. Find out more.

Let’s Chat for partners
The Let’s Chat partners is a program designed for the partners of research students who are new to Australia and focuses on everyday conversations, Australian culture and job applications. In the sessions, partners can practice social interactions as well as communication strategies for a range of situations including requests, apologies and phone conversations.

Partner’s Module 2 runs for 12 sessions in total and the first session starts in Week 2 of the semester and runs till Week 14.

Participants are not treated like students, but instead, learn as much from each other and the facilitator. These classes are designed to be a friendly and enjoyable space to meet new people. To register to attend this module, please e-mail us at: english.connect@monash.edu

———————————————————————————————————

What’s On for families

• WinterFest’s Winter Carnival Monash’s annual carnival with dizzying rides, food trucks and a fireworks display for all the family.
  When: Friday 17th August, 5 to9pm at the Clayton campus
  Like Monash University Campus Events on Facebook to keep up to date with what else is happening at WinterFest, or check out the  Winterfest webpage.
• Strap on your family’s skates and come along to Eastland’s new ice skating rink. On Sunday from 10:00am – 11:00am the rink will be open to children and adults with special needs.
• On the first Sunday of every month, ACMI will host a free family event where kids can take part in fun activities like creating robots and coding their own games.
• Take your kids to New York without leaving Melbourne at the NGV’s free-to-enter interactive ‘New York! New York! for Kids’ installation.

School Holiday Program at Monash Clayton
Funding is available to provide financial relief during the school holiday period for school aged children to assist with child care costs. International students on a student visa may apply for financial assistance for 50% of the cost for school-aged children (5-12 years) attending the Camp Australia School Holiday Program at Monash University Clayton Campus during the school holiday period 2 to 14th July.

Note: Those who are eligible for the Centrelink Child Care Subsidy or are currently registered to receive Child Care Benefit will not be eligible to claim the rebate from the university.

The Maximum amount refunded to each eligible family is for 2 days care per week (incurred throughout the school holiday period) for each school-aged child.

Register your interest in this program to obtain more information about this opportunity by sending an email to: iss@monash.edu. At this stage, this opportunity is only available for 2018 and there is no guarantee that this funding will be available on an ongoing basis.

Book your place in a school holiday program
The City of Monash Public Library Service is hosting free and low cost school holiday programs for kids ages 5 years and older at all of its branches. Register on the Library website to make sure your child has a fun, educational school break.

Kindergarten enrolments
Enrolments for kindergartens across Melbourne are opening now and will close over the next few months! Spaces are limited in many kindergartens, so start researching now. The Victorian Government has posted handy FAQs for parents whose children are ready to start kindergarten.

Postgrad Parent Club
Meet other Mums and Dads while your kids play, all while enjoying a free coffee! Contact Rhian Adlam to register.
When: Clayton – every second Thursday, 2:00pm at Saporo Cafe New Horizons
Caulfield – every second Thursday, 10:00am at Monsu Cafe

Parenting rooms on campus
Did you know all of our campuses have special facilities for feeding, breastfeeding, expressing milk, baby changing and soothing? More info here.

Meet with other first time parents
Monash Council organises parent groups which enable first time parents to meet in a supportive environment and learn valuable information. Groups are facilitated by qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses who are there to answer any questions you have. Find out more.

International Students with Families
Come to an networking information event to assist international students with families. Meet like-minded people, make social connections and gather information on services and programs to help you settle into Melbourne and children. Partners and children are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Register online.

Local community and Monash service representatives will be available to answer any questions you might have on a range of topics including;  child care, accommodation, English language support, healthcare and more.

When: Friday  17 August 4 to 6pm
Where: Graduate Hub Seminar Room 2, Campbell Hall. 21 Sports Walk, Clayton

———————————————————————————————————

What’s On for families

Activities for kids over the winter school holidays

• The NGV hosts a number of unique workshops for kids who want to experience art and the gallery.
• The State Library of Victoria holds talks, workshops, films, tours and more so families can learn more about our collections and Victoria’s amazing history.
• See koalas, wallabies and dingoes and experience the beautiful Australian bush with your family at Gumbuya Park.
• Scienceworks hosts all sorts of school holiday activities for kids who are curious about how the world works.
• Australia’s premier preserved steam railway, Puffing Billy, operates every day during the school holidays.
• Does your child have a special interest? Check out the Victorian Government’s extensive list of school holiday programs and activities.