St Augustine’s Mossman after school care reopens post flood recovery

Reopening its doors this week with colourful, fresh new surroundings, Mossman families are celebrating the reopening of St Augustine’s Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) after a six-month flood recovery program. 

With extensive damage caused by flood inundation following Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Catholic Early Learning and Care—Diocese of Cairns Director Alison Forster said it is great to be back delivering outside-hours care for Mossman families and carers, who have been toughing it out over the past six months. 

“From having half a metre of muddy flood water flowing through the buildings and grounds, destroying everything in its path and leaving a thick layer of mud, to our beautiful, bright and welcoming new space, we are super happy to welcome back our OSHC children and families,” Ms Forster said.

While Ms Forster said the centre has yet to return to total capacity in providing care for up to 30 students outside school hours, care resumed this week for 10 primary school-aged students, with the number expected to increase to 15. 

“This is thanks to our dedicated tradespeople, Catholic Education, and the community of St Augustine’s, who have all worked together to have children happily and safely return to school and OSHC. 

“While we are not operating to maximum capacity, we are on track to do so in coming months. In the short term, offering working families and carers some respite after six long months is a big step forward,” she said. 

According to Ms Forster, it is business as usual for St Augustine’s OSHC.