NEWSLETTERS
Term 3, 2026
A NOTE FROM JESS
Welcome to Term 3! Spring has officially arrived and I don’t know about you, but there is definitely a little more excitement and joy around the Explore and Soar office now that the sun is shining and we are heading towards the warmer months!
It has been another wonderful term. We have continued working alongside many of our ongoing clients while also welcoming some new families into Explore and Soar. It has been so lovely seeing our newest clients settle in, build connections with our team and already begin to thrive.
Our team has also been making time for some well-earned rest, relaxation and reconnection. Sophie has recently returned from leave, with Lori and Maddie both having some time away coming up. We know how important it is for our team to have the opportunity to recharge so they can continue bringing their best selves to the children and families they support.
And with some of the team away, I’ve had the chance to jump back into a few one-off appointments with both our long-term and newer clients — and I have had so much fun! It has been wonderful reconnecting, playing, challenging ourselves and seeing firsthand just how much growth has been happening.
We are now heading into the final stretch of 2026, with plenty happening before the year wraps up. Keep reading for the important dates, updates and a little of what we have been up to this term.
Warm regards,
Jess and the Explore and Soar Team
THE LATEST INFORMATION
Successful July School Holiday Group Programs!
We had a successful July school holiday group programs. We challenged our clients in developing writing skills, creating lego master pieces with peers and communicating ideas, as well as ultimate challenges like dodge ball and catapults with our older friends!
If you missed the highlights reel, please click the button below:
Welcome Jordan – 1st Year OT Student UoN
Jordan commenced her very first OT placement with us on Monday, 7 September and will be spending two weeks working alongside Sophie.
We are beyond excited to welcome Jordan to Explore and Soar and give her a glimpse into the wonderful world of paediatric OT! Over the two weeks, she will have the opportunity to see what our days look like, learn alongside our team and experience the many different ways we support our children and families.
We hope Jordan has a wonderful first placement and enjoys taking her first steps into the OT world with us!
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
— Vincent van Gogh
Sharing our Knowledge in the Community!
This term, Lori has been out in our community delivering education and training sessions, including supporting educators to better understand Occupational Therapy and everyday areas such as toileting, development and participation. We love being able to. We love being able to share our knowledge beyond the therapy room and give the people supporting children practical strategies they can use every day.
Would your school, preschool, childcare service or community organisation benefit from some extra knowledge and practical strategies? We offer education and training sessions tailored to your team and the children you support. Contact us today to find out more!.
Looking Ahead to Term 4
October school holidays are almost here! We are currently confirming our Kurri Kurri intensive appointments, with Term 4 ongoing appointments to be confirmed over the next two weeks. Keep an eye out and make sure you respond when we reach out so you can secure your spot.
And a little sneak peek ahead… our January School Holiday Group Programs will be announced in October, with registrations opening soon after. Keep an eye out — we can’t wait to share what’s coming.
Year 10 Work Experience
Each year, we love welcoming high school students from our local communities for work experience, giving them the opportunity to explore their interests and future career pathways before finishing school.
This term, Sophie supported a Year 10 student to experience paediatric OT firsthand — meeting our clients and families, observing therapy sessions and learning how OTs support children across their home, school and community. Thank you to our families who helped make this experience possible!
IMPORTANT DATES
- Lori Annual Leave, 2026:
Friday, 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026 - Last Day of Term 2 2026:
Friday, 25 September 2026 - Week 1 September School Holidays:
Monday, 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026 - Labour Day Public Holiday, 2026:
Monday, 5 October 2026 - Week 2 October School Holidays 2026:
Monday, 13 July to Friday, 17 July 2026 - Commencement of Term 4, 2026:
Monday, 12 October 2026 - Maddie Annual Leave, 2026:
Monday, 12 October to Friday 23 October 2026 - Team PD Training Days, 2026:
Friday 30 October to Saturday 31 October 2026
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
This Term’s Soaring Moment!
This term, we welcomed Miss Explorer to our Kurri Kurri clinic for a one-off Meet and Greet. During her session, we identified signs of tactile defensiveness and significant emotional regulation challenges that were impacting her everyday life and her family as a whole.
Before leaving, we introduced the Wilbarger Therapressure Brushing Protocol as one strategy for the family to trial. After consistently implementing the protocol over the past two weeks, her family has described the changes as “life changing” — what an incredible outcome from finding one strategy that was the right fit for Miss Explorer!
We are so excited to continue working alongside Miss Explorer and her family, building on these gains one strategy, one step and one soaring moment at a time!
Spring Craft Activity: Bubble Wrap Cherry Blossom Tree
Materials:
- Thick coloured paper of choice
- Bubble Wrap
- Brown, Pink and White Paint
- Paint Brush
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Repeat and layer until the tree is covered with blossoms.
- Paint a tree shape on piece of paper, or draw child hand and arm for a ‘handprint tree’
- Cut out small bubble wrap. Aim for amount management for child.
- Use a paint brush and paint individual bubbles with a mixture of pink and white paint.
- Turn the bubble wrap over and place it onto the tree, press down firmly.
- Remove bubble wrap and reveal the print.
Activity by Arty Crafty Kids.
Connect with Us
Connect with us for more information and updates. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to reach out to us, call us at 0477 708 217 or email us at admin@exploreandsoar.com.au
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