Braking The Cycle graduates are safer drivers!
During Road Safety Month in Queensland, we are celebrating the graduates of PCYC Queensland’s Braking The Cycle (BTC) program.
Recent research from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and major BTC funder, Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) has shown that drivers taught through Braking the Cycle are safer than your average driver.
Key findings from the report were:
Read the report from QUT and MAIC here.
Braking The Cycle supports young people in Queensland who don’t have access to a registered vehicle to complete their required supervised driving hours.
Road Safety Cadet Club
Braking the Cycle and Wheely Wise are partnering with Fun Squad to deliver newly created Road Safety Cadet Club sessions during Road Safety Month.
The Road Safety Cadet Club sessions cover topics such as the meaning of red, orange and green traffic lights; safely crossing roads; and recognising common road safety signs and what they mean.
These sessions will help our teams spread the message of road safety in all its forms with our very youngest program participants.
Road Safety Cadet Club is aiming to visit all 92 Fun Squads this August.
We recently announced the release of our first ever children’s book, designed specifically for use in our Outside School Hours Fun centers across Queensland. This innovative resource aims to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and attitudes associated with domestic and family violence, fostering a safe and supportive environment for all children.
Developed in collaboration with experts in youth services, domestic violence prevention, and education, our book is more than just a story — it’s a powerful tool for change. It encourages children to explore and understand their identities, while promoting self-worth and respect for others.
By integrating this book into our Fun Squad curriculum, PCYC Queensland aims to equip children with the knowledge and confidence they need to foster healthy relationships and reject harmful attitudes.
Together, we can cultivate a generation that values respect, empathy, and understanding.
The storybook and facilitation guide are now available for purchase. The storybook is available in print and digital (Kindle), and the facilitation guide is available in digital. We recommend purchasing both assets for use in an educational environment.
There’s just something about pickleball.
The fast-paced, easy-to-learn game has swept the world in recent years, attracting players who might find traditional court sports less accessible or challenging to get into.
That’s probably why it’s the perfect sport for Fun Squad, PCYC’s outside school hours programs with services right across Queensland, all of whom are – or soon will be – embracing pickleball.
“Over the past year, pickleball has spread across all our services and it’s easy to see why. Seriously Fun is our motto – and pickleball certainly ticks that box,” said Fun Squad General Manager, Bev Book.
“We find that children of all ages just love it, it appeals to all of them and it’s a great way for them to keep active.
“Our teams love it too – and play it frequently which is resulting in stronger teams working together to achieve our mission of safe and healthy communities.”
Kylie Morris, Fun Squad Gilston Service Manager, says the sport combines fun, fitness and lots of interpersonal skills, too.
“It’s a game that children of all ages have been able to play and understand, and it supports their development, leadership skills, cooperation and encourages positive sportsmanship,” she said.
“We have a strong focus on happy and healthy children that come to us to have fun, and this is all evident when they play pickleball.”
At Mother Teresa Fun Squad, pickleball is a relatively new addition, being introduced in December. It’s clear it is there to stay!
“Our children are really enjoying pickleball and all the fun that it brings,” said Service Manager Kayla McGee.
“We have seen a boost in morale amongst our children and team members, and things like sportsmanship, social skills and confidence are increasing.”
So successful has the rollout of pickleball at Fun Squad services been that more and more PCYC Queensland clubs are also offering pickleball to their members.
Pickleball has found a home at PCYC Queensland – and it’s only set to get bigger from here!
After two decades of service to children and the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) sector, Karly Sheppard has built a career grounded in fun, rights and real impact.
Now serving as State Operations Manager for PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad program, Karly oversees a team of 700 staff and helps deliver care to more than 20,000 children across the state. But her journey began on the floor, and she still holds those early years close.
From program setup to statewide leadership
Karly’s OSHC story began in 2002 when she established the before and after school care program at Hills College in Jimboomba.
“I loved it,” she recalled. “Back then, it was basically a babysitting program. There was very little legislation and things were much looser. But I just loved working with primary school children. That’s never changed.”
In 2009, PCYC Queensland took over the program at Hills College. Karly joined the team and gradually moved through a series of leadership roles, from Area Manager to Regional Manager and now to her current statewide position.
Although she no longer works directly with children every day, she says the broader reach of her work is both powerful and humbling.
“I can influence 700 team members and 20,000 children. It’s amazing to feel like I can make a positive impact in all these lives with the work that I do.”
Child voice at the heart of Fun Squad
Karly played a key role in designing and launching Fun Squad, PCYC Queensland’s refreshed OSHC model. The initiative centres on play, engagement and inclusion, and it was designed with direct input from children.
“Some of the icons and characters the children came up with are now core parts of the Fun Squad branding,” she said. “Of course, all research shows that when children are engaged and having fun, their wellbeing is strengthened and their parents worry less.”
The program includes Before School Fun and After School Fun, both designed to match children’s energy levels and emotional needs at different times of day.
“Before school is more social and flexible. Children come in, they have breakfast, they might want to chill and read a book or draw,” she explained.
“After school is when it becomes more structured. We have a wide number of activities going. You might have up to 200 children coming through the door, and we don’t know what kind of a day they’ve had. We have to cater to all their needs and emotions.”
That flexibility includes providing space for movement, mindfulness, meals and even homework when needed.
Prioritising wellness and belonging
Karly said she’s proud of how far the sector has come in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, noting the integration of mindfulness, yoga and journaling into many PCYC programs.
“All of our services offer mindfulness or yoga or journaling and have a focus on wellbeing and belonging,” she said.
She is also an ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland, where she supports children to learn about their rights and responsibilities, a role she describes as both meaningful and educational.
“It has been so wonderful to work with all of these children and find out what matters to them,” she said.
Leading with heart
For Karly, the core of her leadership is simple. It’s about how people feel.
“I am often guided by the great quote from Maya Angelou: ‘People won’t remember what you say or do, but they will remember how you made them feel,’” she said.
“That’s how I try to do my job and live my life.”
2025 is the year of the Fun Squad, the bright, bold new look for PCYC Queensland’s outside school hours services.
As the largest provider of outside school hours services in the state, PCYC Queensland knows what schoolchildren need to bookend their school days and fill their holidays.
Fun fuels minds, friendships, and when activities are fun and engaging, they can increase wellbeing, confidence, and boost curiosity.
“We have experience and research behind us, and children and young people are at the centre of what we do at PCYC Queensland,” said Fun Squad General Manager Bev Book.
“We know what matters to parents is that their children are happy and thriving in a positive, nurturing and inclusive space – and what matter to children is, are we having fun?
“The Fun Squad provides both. We focus on sustainability, friendship, leadership, inclusivity, wellbeing and community spirit.”
PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad offers activities including pickleball, mindfulness, crafting, cooking, gardening and more, as well as the organisation’s leadership program for 5 to 11-year-olds, Cadet Club.
“Cadet Club is an incredibly popular leadership program which involves children learning about leadership, relationships, and emotional awareness. It also has guest teachers like community members, local Elders, and of course QPS officers – PCYC and QQPS share DNA,” said Bev.
“Our 750-person strong Fun Squad teams are backed by more than1,500 PCYC Queensland support staff, 2,700 volunteers and the Queensland Police Service. We are strong and well-supported.”
Fun Squad branding is bright and bold, to match the ethos of the program, and will be rolled out in all services across the state over the coming weeks.
Principal of Waterford State School Danielle Young said Fun Squad was like a home away from home for many of the school’s students.
“Having Waterford Fun Squad as part of our school community is amazing,” she said.
“Our students love heading to Fun Squad after school and I know our staff and parents are relieved of some of their stresses knowing that our Waterford Warriors are safe and sound and having an awesome time.”
PCYC Queensland’s range of Jibbitz are available – and very popular!
Not only are they a bright, bold style statement, they are also a way for Fun Squad families to help support PCYC Queensland’s youth programs that are at the heart of our charitable mission.
Every Jibbitz sold will help fund programs that raise the gaze of young people through free diversion, development and leadership programs, making Fun Squad Jibbitz a simple, affordable way to help children take an active part in making their community a great place to live.
Small purchase. Seriously Fun style statement. BIG impact.
If you’re interested, head to your nearest Fun Squad to find out more!
Kids in the Kitchen is Fun Squad’s new program helping children learn about food, nutrition and cooking.
This program has been specially developed by a nutritionist to help Fun Squad children. Throughout the program, children explore a variety of fun and engaging activities that will teach them important life skills and help them make healthy food choices. Each week, Fun Squad children dive into different aspects of food and nutrition with both practical and theory-based activities. From learning about the food groups to exploring kitchen safety, and from creating delicious recipes to understanding the importance of balanced meals, this program is designed to be both educational and enjoyable.
Fun Squad’s goal is to make learning about food and nutrition exciting and accessible for everyone.
Get ready to have fun, try new things, and become a Menu Master!
Kids in the Kitchen is being run in Fun Squads across the state now. To learn more, simply speak to our friendly Educators at your local Fun Squad.
There’s just something about pickleball.
The fast-paced, easy-to-learn game has swept the world in recent years, attracting players who might find traditional court sports less accessible or challenging to get into.
That’s probably why it’s the perfect sport for Fun Squad, PCYC’s outside school hours programs with services right across Queensland – all of whom are – or soon will be – embracing pickleball.
“Over the past year, pickleball has spread across all our services and it’s easy to see why. Seriously Fun is our motto – and pickleball certainly ticks that box,” said Fun Squad General Manager, Bev Book.
“We find that children of all ages just love it, it appeals to all of them and it’s a great way for them to keep active.
“Our teams love it too – and play it frequently which is resulting in stronger teams working together to achieve our mission of safe and healthy communities.”
Kylie Morris, Fun Squad Gilston Service Manager, says the sport combines fun, fitness and lots of interpersonal skills, too.
“It’s a game that children of all ages have been able to play and understand, and it supports their development, leadership skills, cooperation and encourages positive sportsmanship,” she said.
“We have a strong focus on happy and healthy children that come to us to have fun, and this is all evident when they play pickleball.”
At Mother Teresa Fun Squad, pickleball is a relatively new addition, being introduced in December. It’s clear it is there to stay!
“Our children are really enjoying pickleball and all the fun that it brings,” said Service Manager Kayla McGee.
“We have seen a boost in morale amongst our children and team members, and things like sportsmanship, social skills and confidence are increasing.”
So successful has the rollout of pickleball at Fun Squad services been that more and more PCYC Queensland clubs are also offering pickleball to their members.
