Successful FAST Programs at St Brigid’s New Norfolk

FAST team member Anthea Denholm from St. Brigids receiving her FAST Accreditation certificate, on the left participating parent Well and Kerry on the right, presenting Anthea her certificate. Anthea was involved in FAST for the past two years.

Successful FAST programs

St. Brigid’s has offered two very successful FAST programs – one in 2017 and another in term 1 of 2018. Each of the FAST programs has involved families for 2 hours per week (for 8 weeks’ duration) and includes a range of fun experiences designed to build relationships within families and within our school community. Families enjoy a free meal each week (with no dishes to do!) and quality time spent with each other – so beneficial and such good fun!

The families involved in both FAST programs continue to meet regularly together, long after the program has formally concluded, and continue to build the relationships that have been formed between families throughout the program. Typically these ‘get togethers’ involve a shared meal (often a BBQ), a visit to a venue which appeals to the families (like the PCYC, a local park and so on) and lots of time for the kids to play together. The opportunity for parents and children to enjoy each other’s company is valued by all and clearly evident.

It is fantastic to see children of different ages, from different year levels and classes, enthusiastically engage in these social gatherings. Building and enjoying these friendships continues at school and is obvious during play-time and our ‘Ready to Learn’ program. The FAST program has provided an excellent opportunity to build the relationships between families within our school community.

Thank you so much to our families who have participated and made FAST so successful!

This article was written for St. Brigid’s newsletter by Anthea Denholm

FAST in Southern Tasmania is funded by Salvation Army Communities For Children