It seems hard to believe that we are almost half way through the term! It is great to see all the children wearing extra layers, as the mornings are particularly cold- but as the day warms up and layers are removed- may I remind families that all clothing should be labelled.

We had a terrific turn-out for the Education Week, where 19 of our students were represented by parents or carers which equates to around a quarter of our families being represented. We enjoyed sharing the school's entry into this year’s School Film Festival where staff have used video’s of the children set to music. We will share it again at the end of year assembly for those parents that missed out on seeing it.

The Epping Club Food & Wine Festival held last Friday, August 9^th, was a great success- where all profits are going to our school. Although students didn’t attend, we did have representatives of past and present parents, staff -and Tess made a memorable appearance- mostly around the food stalls (Hunter Valley Cheese was definitely her favourite). This was followed on Sunday with a committee member from the Epping Club running in the City2Surf race also raising funds for us!

Murray (Relieving Deputy Principal) and I have been holding reviews this week, and entering values into the ‘Nationally Consistent Collection of Date’ website which has caused us to reflect on the students we support at Karonga and ensure we are offering the very best service we can.

Room 1 have started making their project for Father’s Day. They have been making coasters using air-drying clay. Jackson and Louisa have been practising how to roll the clay using  consistent pressure and techniques including dotting and scraping to create dot or line patterns.

This semester Room 1 are focusing on Products and Services as part of their Science and Geography learning program. This term we are learning to identify the difference between needs and wants and will also look at the Healthy Food Pyramid.  Gianni, Massa and Titan have been learning to sort and categorise real objects and pictures into groups of needs and wants.

Linda and Banu

Room 7 has been working very hard on ‘working together’ this term. Our two new boys, Sunday and Timmie are settling in well and learning from the older boys.

We have worked hard to be independent and all our boys are unpacking and packing their bags, filling their own water bottles and helping with class chores.

With our very high sensory needs one of our favourite activities in Room 7 is The Sensory Room on Friday afternoons when students relax and unwind ready for the weekend. The students enjoy our fairy- light tunnel, colour - changing bubble tube, touch-sound board with numerous sound groups to explore, playing in the “ soft sponge forest” to name a few. All our students are very eager to move into this space with lots to explore through touch, sight and sound.  

Our school pool has been wonderful for our class and all the boys have progressed in their confidence and skills.

Harry has made fantastic progress in our special swimming programme and is able to move across the pool without flotation aids!

Sidney is playing very well in maxi’s playground. He is climbing, using the trampoline and the slide more frequently and enjoys being chased.

Raj is working very well with other students. He will readily assist others in activities and will play a group game.

Om is enjoying fruits and drinking lots of water now! Harry has set a great example.

Timmie has worked very hard to communicate his needs appropriately and what a fantastic job he has done.

It has been great to see the progress that our class has made in music therapy, with Jann. One of our newest students, Timmie, particularly enjoys engaging with the instruments and has really taken to music therapy. He loves all the instruments and is showing talent.

Sunday particularly enjoys our new Touch Screen board and is following directions well.

We have explored some paper folding stories and the students made and decorated hats, fans and a dog from paper.

This term we have been focusing on ‘working together’ in Room 7. The boys are encouraged to help each other and to play together.

We have been focusing on an integrated pirate theme that the students are enjoying finding hidden treasure to explore prepositions, counting our treasure and many other activities.

Debbie and Foozieh

Timmie is in Year Three and started at Karonga at the beginning of Term 2. He has settled in very well and is readily participating in all our activities, particularly music. He loves to play all the instruments in both our classroom and music therapy and his beautiful music can even be heard in the playground as he explores the sounds on the piano there.

Timmie enjoys swimming, puzzles, stories, swinging, riding bikes, art, i-pad and science toys to name a few. He has a beautiful smile and calls Karonga. "Happy Karonga".

Another year of learning new songs, performing on stage without a fear or being shy. We are very proud to have our school signing choir where our students learn to Key Word Sign a number of songs during the year. The students are very proud of themselves. We rehearse three times a week during break times on the stage in the hall. This year we have had some new students and staff join our team. Eight students are involved this year and signing choir is led by Ruth, Emma, Mel and Kamal.

We are very fortunate to be planning to perform again in the Epping Music Festival on November 13^th, so, come and support our students at Chatswood Concourse.

What an amazing dance team we have this year! Our students are capable of adapting new and challenging steps. This time we have decided to perform to George Ezra’s 'Shotgun' song. We do our weekly rehearsals during break times on the stage in the hall. Seven students are part of our dance team with Mel, Kamal and Emma. We are excited to perform at the Epping Music Festival on 13^th November 2019 at Chatswood Concourse. We are the only special school involved in the festival. Come along and cheer for our Karonga dance team.

Until next time

Kamaldeep

Karonga Book Parade

Wednesday  11^th September

9.30am

School Hall

The Book Parade is a special event in   recognition of both Children’s Book Week and National Literacy and Numeracy Week.

The theme this year is “Reading is my secret power”.

Books will be available for parents to donate to the school library at a cost of $5.00 each.

We hope to see lots of parents and carers attending to join in the celebration of literacy in our school, so put the date in your diary and join us if you can.

Janelle Simpson-Goodwin

Assistant Principal/Teacher Librarian

Advertisements published in the Karonga Courier are provided for information only and their inclusion in no way constitutes an endorsement of the product or service by Karonga School.

Links to information on websites are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation of those sites.  Please note we do not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of any information on these external websites.