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Tuesday 14 October 2025
For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03 5974 9000 or email: team@baysidenews.com.au www.baysidenews.com.au ASSISTANT principal Matthew Brand, canteen manager, Leigh Simpson and two Kingsley Park Primary School students. Picture: Supplied
Students lead nutritious change AT Kingsley Park Primary School, student-led initiatives like soup and smoothie days, along with their nutritious canteen, reflect their wholeschool commitment to health and student wellbeing. Kingsley Park has achieved important health and wellbeing milestones through the free Achievement Program and Vic Kids Eat Well initiatives, with guidance from Kristen Young at Peninsula Health. Assistant Principal Matthew Brand said the school’s student-led “Smoothie Day” and “Soup for Everyone Day” have become much-loved regular events. “Healthy flavours and local connections are celebrated while reducing waste,” said Brand. “Our health promoter Kristen Young helped us get the soup day off the ground and Peninsula Health donated the soup kettle.” Mr Brand said the decision to join the Achievement Program was driven by students. “Our student leaders wanted something meaningful, and the Achievement Program was a perfect fit – it gave them ownership and aligned with our focus on healthy eating, mental health and physical activity.” Schools can join for free at: www. achievementprogram.health.vic.gov. au and www.vickidseatwell.health.vic. gov.au
Community Connectors program set to expand to retail precinct Raia Flinos raia@baysidenews.com.au THE Frankston Community Connectors pilot program will be expanding into the city’s busiest retail precincts, continuing their mission to provide support to vulnerable community members and improve safety.
This initiative, which is a collaboration between Frankston City Council, South East Community Links, Metro Trains, and now Vicinity Centres, aims to address social issues such as antisocial behaviour, mental health crises, homelessness, and substance abuse. Initially launched in November 2024 as part of the Young Street Action Plan, the purple-vested social workers cur-
rently help provide people with advice, assistance, and referrals to services in the Frankston station and Young Street area. There will now be additional Community Connectors who will operate in Station Street Mall and Shannon Mall, which was made possible thanks to a new partnership with Vicinity Centres, the operator of Bayside Shopping Centre.
Vicinity Centres Bayside Centre Manager, Emily Curcio, emphasised the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive space. “We are proud to co-fund this initiative, extending the Community Connectors outreach program into Station Street and Shannon Mall right on our doorstep in the heart of Frankston,” she said.
Since January 2025, the program has made significant impact, including 1450 community engagements, 340 harm-prevention interactions, and 185 referrals to essential support services. Frankston City deputy mayor Steffie Conroy said the program marks a shift towards long-term, collaborative solutions rather than punitive measures. Continued Page 3
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