Making a Difference
Learn about what we do, our programs, our passionate team, and how you can help
About Us
Our Vision and Purpose
Our amazing and diverse team of regulars and part-time volunteers are committed to helping migrant children and children from diverse backgrounds to become connected, supported and empowered to succeed as much as they can in the communities. We work with school-aged children and youth to develop their potentials, break barriers and empower them to access opportunities and become connected in the communities through a range of programs.
Our Programs
We provide a range of programs aimed to support the migrant children and other children from culturally diverse backgrounds and their families including the Homestudy Groups, free legal and certification clinics as well as settlement support and crisis support programs.
We also hold regular events such as Children Food Art Challenge, Kids run a Stall, bike riding and Chess and Board Games sessions. At Newbridge, we want to provide programs that enhance the health, wellbeing and community connectedness of children and their families and deliver these programs in a safe and encouraging learning environment.
In June 2019, we have received donation of a number of children bicycles so children are also learning how to ride bicycles safely.
Please contact us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com for further information on our programs.
What we do
We help migrant children and their families who would benefit from extra help with free homework tutoring because of certain learning barriers. Our homework club program tutors students from kindergarden to year 9 (English and Maths). We also run a range of special activities designed to connect students with local communities.
For our Induction and Settlement Support Program, we help new migrants and refugees and their families to settle in their local communities and support those going through difficult circumstances. This includes transportation, grocery and medical support.
If you would like to register for the programs and join our mailing list please email us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Important Matters
Upcoming Events
Australia green & gold day afternoon tea on Friday 2nd August.
This Friday, 2 August 2024, the Australian Olympics Committee is encouraging everyone around the country (no matter what your background is) to support our Olympics Team by dressing in Green & Gold! We would like to invite all parents and children to join us at Hartwell Sportsground for an afternoon tea.
This day is about wearing "green and gold" or "yellow" to celebrate achievements of the Australian Olympics Team. Please note, if your family supports a country other than Australia, of course you are welcome to wear the colors of that country.
We look forward to celebrating the "Green and Gold Day" with you on 2 August 2024.
Time: 4pm, 2 August 2024
Location: Hartwell Sports Ground 35 Beryl St, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Bike riding group
Our regular bike riding groups now has a new route - we now explore the anniversary trails in two directions (the Eastern Route to Wattle Park and Western Route to Ashburton). Each route will be taken on alternating months.
Join us to get fit and have fun! We have a limited number of bikes available for borrow - but the sizes may be limited.
Bring your bike, helmet, bike gloves and knee pads (if available) and water bottle. Simple picnic food will be provided. All riding groups will be supervised by at least two adults.
Please register your interest with Hao at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Note for children that are learning to ride a bike, please enquire about our learn to ride a bike sessions (where children will be taught to ride safely), please contact Hao at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Homework Clubs
Our homework club help migrant and refugee children from disadvantaged backgrounds with their homework and study related matters. For those who cannot attend the homework clubs or prefer remote online learning, we also provide online tutoring referral services. This service is free of charge.
Neighbourhood Induction and Settlement Support
We understand it can be difficult for new migrants and refugees first settling in Australia and are here to help. Our Neighbourhood Induction and Settlement Support Programs provide new migrant and refugee families with an induction to key surrounding facilities such as schools, hospitals, shopping district and community centres etc. We will also provide driving support for grocery and key supplies and emergencies if you are have mobility issues.
For those that are going through financial distress or extreme difficult circumstances, we also provide relief with grocery, personal and medical supplies on a case by case basis.
We accept referrals from Refugee and Migrant Resource Centres and church groups. Individuals can apply for our Neighbourhood Induction and Settlement Support Program by contacting us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com for an application form.
Food Art Challenge
Would you like to build a Mr Potato man and mushmellow teeth and bake some dinosaur and giraffe cookie? We host Food Art Challenges at our Homework Clubs now at regular intervals. Please register your interest at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
These sessions will run at our Homework Group sessions after the homework session. Children and parents are welcome to stay for pizza or whatever food art that the children have created.
Free Legal and Certification Clinic
Our free legal and certification clinic provides free document certification services and also assistance on rental and housing issues by qualified legal practitioners. We do not provide immigration advice but can help you obtaining referrals to immigration specialists from Law Institute of Victoria. Please submit your application for assistance at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Home Activities to enjoy
CodeSpark Academy has a list of great activities to try:
1. Journaling - Encouraging your child to start journaling is a great way to get them into the habit of reflecting on the things they’ve learned and the memories they’ve made at school and during lockdown.
2. Review Vocab with Flash Cards - Help your child to review key vocabulary words for their grade level. They won’t only go into the new year with an impressive vocabulary list, they’ll also feel super confident whenever they encounter these words throughout the school year.
3. Brush Up on Key Math Concepts - Reviewing math concepts your child learned in the previous grade will help make them feel ready to learn more advanced concepts in the upcoming year. Here are a few fun activities you can try to help your child brush up on their math skills:
Past Events - Special Events
2021 Pastel Drawing Art Workshop - 21 December 2021. We believe drawings and paintings are important for the intellectual development of young minds which links easily with music, maths, science, language and literature. In our workshop held in conjunction with Art'scool, children learnt how to draw in easy steps taught by professional fine artist Terry Taylor in her Glen Iris Studio. They also received drawing workbooks to help inspire creativity. This event has been very popular and we hope to organise more workshops in the future.
Great Ocean Road Chocolate & Ice Creamery Factory visit - 14 April 2021
After months in lockdown at Melbourne, we had an excursion to the Great Ocean Road Chocolate & Ice Creamery Factory in Anglesea. It was great to see lots of kids joining to play and enjoy the playgrounds and visit the iconic cafe on Great Ocean Road. Chocolate always bring smiles to children! If you are interested in joining us for future excursions please register your interest using the button below.
Melbourne Marathon - 13 October 2019
On 13 October 2019, we participated in the Melbourne Marathon. If you would like to join us at the Melbourne Marathon in 2020, please register with Melbourne Marathon as a part of Newbridge Victoria Group. http://melbournemarathon.com.au/
Webinar - Renting a house or sharing accommodation in Melbourne
On 9 April 2019, we hosted an online legal webinar on "Renting a house or sharing accommodation in Melbourne? Tips to help you navigate through this". If you would like to access the webinar, please register at the button below and we will send you links to the webinar held on 9 April 2019.
Kids run a stall
On 14 April 2019 and 22 September 2019, we held "Kids run a stall" at the Camberwell Sunday Market - some of the volunteers and kids ran a stall at the market and raised some funds for Newbridge. The events have been a great success and the kids all had a great time and become more involved with the communities. For future events, please register your interest at the button below.
Webinar - Key Tax Issues for Migrants - 12 July 2019
On 12 July 2019, we hosted an online webinar in conjunction with Tax Store Brunswick to cover some of the key tax issues for new migrants. You will learn about what it means being an Australian tax resident, how to apply for a Tax File Number with the Australian Taxation Office, how your income will be taxed in Australia and some tips on preparing your tax returns. If you are interested in viewing this webinar please email: newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Kids Snowfun Day 2019
We had a Kids Snowfun day on 20 July and 21 July 2019 at Mount Buller! The children enjoyed tobogganning and play in the snow! A big thank you to those that have helped the carpooling. If you are interested in future Snow Fun Day please register your interest with hao@newbridge.org.au.
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist with project management of our programs as well as administration and accounting support If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact us at: newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
Online Learning Programs
We have been working on online tutoring programs to facilitate remote learning for migrant and refugee children:
- Home tutoring online for students requiring tutoring during this period - we are working with e-Tutor Project on helping migrant children who need extra help during this period - Please register you children with eTutor online for one on one tutoring at https://etutorsproject.org/;
- Grocery shopping assistance for those who are vulnerable and are unable to shop grocery themselves - please contact us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com for an application form for assistance; and
- we have limited supplies of sanitary wipes, toilet paper and facial masks to give away to those that are most vulnerable and are unable to secure supplies.
Students are also encouraged to use the following online learning resources:
1. Khan's academy which provides personalised online learning with online videos, progress tracked and practice questions: https://www.khanacademy.org/
2. Epic is an online reading and learning platform with access to books and videos for children aged 12 and under. It is subscription based - please contact us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com for login details. Alternatively your school may also provide free login for students. https://www.getepic.com/sign-in
3. Online e-tutor Project provides one on one free online tutoring to support students online learning during pandemic: https://etutorsproject.org/
4. Dogo News has news articles on current events, sports, science and technology and more. https://www.dogonews.com/
5. For maths problem solving questions, photo maths is a fantastic website where students can scan the maths problems and receive help with answers: https://photomath.com/en/
We are here to help during this challenging time - if you need any assistance please contact us at newbridgevictoria@gmail.com.
For Covid 19 information:
National Coronavirus HelplineCall this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19) or help with the COVIDSafe app. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.1800 020 080
Jobkeeper and Jobseeker information: For Jobkeeper and Jobseeker information, please contact ATO 13 28 65.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
