TableSide has two special existing relationships with psychologist Dr. John McEwan, and the Parenting Place, NZ’s premier source of parenting/relationship advice and resources.We also have a special relationship with One Tree Hill college and would like to see more of their immediate community engage with the school.

So with this in mind, we’re proud to announce the following two seminars in collaboration with our friends:

Under Pressure: How to Cope With Stress – Presented by Dr John McEwan, Wednesday 12 June, 7:30pm, One Tree Hill College auditorium

Connected: Keeping Kids Safe with Cell Phones & the Internet - Presented by Dave Atkinson from the Parenting Place, Thursday, 11 July, 7:30pm, One Tree Hill College auditorium
Both seminars are $5 donation at the door. Invite your friends! For more information, email enquiries@tableside.co.nz

On Saturday, 4 May, 40 students turned up to the Ellerslie town square and scrubbed, swept, washed, and worked very hard! We were very impressed with their work ethic! After one hour’s cleaning, we turned on the sound system (full volume!) and the party started! Following several dance routines, the students grabbed the kids/adults who were watching and taught them some hip-hop moves they won’t forget in a long time!

Unfortunately the rain came in and out, and some of the dancing had to be curtailed….but not before a LOT of fun and laughs were had.

Sally Eustace, Ellerslie Town Business Manager sent the following message to Director, Denise:

“Thank you on behalf of the Ellerslie Business Assoc. for your personal support and that of Tableside Trust in providing the equipment and assistance with this community event for One Tree Hill College. As always you and Tableside never hesitate to step up and help out. Ellerslie would not be the same community without your ongoing support. Thankfully our organising skills are better than our hip-hop moves – but at least we gave it a go and had fun!!
Kind Regards”

Also, a few quotes from some adults and kids present on the day (Good luck for the competition One Tree Hill!!):

“The college students kept dancing when it rained and looked like they were having so much fun! They were so great with all the children of the community.” Angela

“I couldn’t believe how much energy they had after all that cleaning. The town square looked awesome.” Rochelle

“Those kids were a credit to the school. They even wanted me at age 77 to dance with them! I was prepared to show them my salsa moves but alas the rain kicked in.” Graeme

“A student put her arm around my daughter and lead her on to the dance floor. My kid thought that was very, very cool.” Rochelle

“Their dance moves were fast! It was cool how they all made moves at the same time. The music was loud and everyone was watching from the shops and smiling.” Levi, age 9.

TableSide looks forward to ongoing connections with Ellerslie Rotary and acknowledges the special role that Rotary member and Ellerslie Business Association Chairman Rob Pollard has to play in the partnership. Many thanks to Sally Eustace (Ellerslie town centre manager) Desley Simpson (Chair of the Orakei local board), Val Hayes (Ellerslie school board), & Melanie Wilson (former TableSide Co-Director) for their presence and support too.

The team are working hard to beat their 5th placement from last year’s comp and they’re practising every day!

From 10 – 11am we’ll provide them all the gear for some Ellerslie street clean-up action, and then from 11am onwards they’ll host an informal dance clinic for the kids of the community. So – bring out the family, get your coffee and bread from the local shops, and let the dances begin!

See you there!

Look out for more details coming soon on events around the subject matters of ‘Managing Stress & Staying Sane’, and for those whose stress is related to ‘Financial Health’ (or lack thereof!) we have something coming for you too!

Finally, we’re looking at a workshop and materials on the topic of ‘Technology Safety & Guidelines for Kids’ – how do we keep up with their use of the net & hand-held devices?

Register with us via our newsletter to receive more information.

Thank you to everyone who made it possible for us to do what we’ve done. We don’t receive government funding, instead, relying on your generousity….not only financially, but also of heart and soul. This year, more than ever, we have done what our byline says we do….connect ordinary people together to create extraordinary communities!

Join us again to make next year our best ever! Sign up to receive our updates via our newsletter here.

We provided presents for 58 children this year. People from all quarters came forward and went shopping for $40 gifts. The gifts were delivered wrapped and with cards with many people expressing how meaningful it was to them to be able to become Santa for kids in need. Particular mention was made of those who took their own children shopping with them….the conversations about generousity, care, and looking out for others made for interesting parent/child discussions!

Check out our pictures below of the delivery to Dingwall. We were delighted to be met at the front door by Tracie (Dingwall Director) and Gevena (admin executive) – Merry Christmas to the two of them and everyone at Dingwall!

They turned out great and on Saturday, Dec 1st (right before the Ellerslie Santa parade on the sunday), we gathered another team of volunteers to help hang them under the oak trees in the town square.

Check out the fun and the fantastic end result by viewing these pictures below: (you can also go to Ellerslie Business Association’s facebook page to see pics and read some great feedback from the public)

Just recently, we had another chance to hang out with the kids at our Thanksgiving event. The caregivers for the 50 or so kids are fantastic people and we appreciate all that they do…day-in and day-out.

Gifts are to be in the $40 range, and wrapped with a Christmas card and the child’s name. The drop-off deadline is Monday, December 17th, at 7pm to 5A Haronui Road, Greenlane.

If you can provide some Christmas cheer this year, please email enquiries@tableside.co.nz and indicate what gender and age you would prefer.

Thank you!

Drinks & nibbles flowed and a few words of thanks were mentioned before touring around the garden to see the phenomenal growth! Well done to all who slaved away to make this project take place. To refresh yourself of what we did, click on the following links:

• Garden Build – Part 1
• Garden Build – Part 2
• Kids Mural Beginning

If you are able to help with the ongoing maintenance of the garden, we’d love to hear from you! Email enquiries@tableside.co.nz or visit the garden’s facebook page and post a message.

Check out the pics below…