Dear families,

Founders Day was a triumph. We had a great turnout of around 40 family members or carers attend along with 16 visitors: notably the Director, the board of the Epping Club, 2 adults who attended Karonga in the 1980’s, and an ex-president/ parent who went on to found Minimbah day programs. The sun shone, and around 45 Y9 boys from The Kings School supported us. Twenty of the Kings boys played music in the Technology Courtyard, so we had live music as one of the activities, students and family members sitting outside the staff room, and the other 25 were stationed around the school at sites (canteen/ petting zoo etc) and the rest as porters with students who use wheelchairs.

The Petting Zoo was a highlight, and potentially the most popular event of the day- so a big thank-you to the P&C who generously funded it. It was terrific to see so many families moving around our site accessing such a range of activities to share with their child:

• Petting Zoo on SEACH
• Bikes, trikes and go-karts on GIBSON
• Sensory Room open
• Bubble machine and water play outside Room 5
• Maxi’s, Aston, Pembroke & Crawford open as playgrounds
• Teas, coffees, savoury and sweet refreshments available – canteen
• Live music being played in the Technology Courtyard
• Immersive classroom open with an underwater theme

Please join us next year when we will be celebrating 60 years as a school- started by parents just like yourselves. As the date falls on a Saturday, pencil in September 13^th 2024 for next year’s Founders Day. Please pass on any good ideas to help us improve this annual event.

After Wednesday’s end of term assembly, we had Sydney University dental hygiene students talk to parents in the Technology Room. We had 5 Karonga students represented by their parents, and we were able to share positive strategies, and learn about new toothpastes and brushes on the market- even looking online to source pharmacies and suppliers. We would like to offer other themed sessions for families to brainstorm ideas and strategies, but we need to know what themes you want covering, and importantly- we need family members to attend. Please reach out to the school with ideas and themes and look out in newsletters for future workshops.

We held a driver and ATSO’s (Assisted Travel Support Officer) afternoon tea yesterday. During the afternoon, Kamal facilitated the termly get-together and we talked with the travel staff about communication with Karonga students- specifically Key Word Signs relevant to their roles. It is great to see everyone working together to support our students.

We have various holiday projects planned for the 2-week school holidays. These include:

• A stained-glass walkway will be installed (instead of fencing) outside the library and proposed Mini- Woolies. This will be installed with plexiglass to enhance this space from both the library side, and Room 14.
• Additional Sunshade over Crawford. Paid for by the 2022 grant from the Epping Club. This should have been fitted in the last holidays, but they could not source some materials. We are hopeful that this will be fitted during these holidays.
• Sunshade over Aston. Paid for by the 2022 grant from the Epping Club. This should have been fitted in the last holidays, but they could not source some materials. We are hopeful that this will be fitted during these holidays.
• Road crossing outside the entrance to the school (within the boundary of the school). Paid for with the 2023 grant from the Epping Club. A very big project relying on a number of agencies working together.
• Painting of the Mini-Woolies doors in the pantone colour of the Woolworths branding.
• Electrical work for power points related to the registers being fitted for the new Mini-Woolies (now scheduled for Term 1 2024).

We do hope the sun shines and you can make the most of the spring weather over these holidays. Looking forward to seeing all the students again on Monday October 9^th

Ruth Rogers

Principal

It's time for holidays! What a busy and exciting term it has been for Room 6. We visited different places in Sydney like Cumberland Forest, Bobbin Head, Brays Bay Reserve, and Featherdale Wildlife Park to learn about the interconnection between people, place, and the environment. We also visited Flip Out at Castle Hill to understand the relation between force and motion. 

We welcomed David Chernashki to our group this term. 

The highlight of Term 3 was Foundation Day, where all students had a great time visiting the petting zoo, music therapy, and art therapy sessions. 

In week 9, Room 6's turn was to run the assembly. Students actively participated during the school assembly. Suzie welcomed everyone, Aiden read the Acknowledgement of Country, and Louisa sang "Happy Birthday" songs for her friends.

Dipti and Sujung

A busy Term 3 is now winding down for Room 14 as students continue to kick goals and get stuck into a variety of learning activities.

The return of Art Therapy to our class every Thursday has been a welcome one with all our students enthusiastically engaging in a wide range of art making approaches and materials. Everyone has made a great effort to participate inside the art studio.

Our project with our sensory garden continues to develop. Everyone's enthusiasm has helped us to clear out the rubbish, remove the weeds and plant a variety of grasses, trees and flowering plants in the garden bed and hanging pots. Everyone helps to water the garden and some plants are even beginning to flower as we come into Spring!

Founders Day was fun for us all and everyone loved getting involved with the fun activities set up around the school. It's fair to say that the big favourite was the petting zoo and the chance to get up close and personal with some fluffy friends. It was great to have some of our parent come and share the day with us.

We have been taking advantage of Karonga's immersive classroom this term during our space and the solar system program, giving our students the chance to visit the moon and Mars, among lots of other fun possibilities!

On Wednesday this week it was Hannah's 17^th birthday. We enjoyed some fabulous cupcakes as we celebrated. Happy birthday, Hannah!

I'm sure everyone is excited for the holidays to come so we can all return fully charged for Term 4 together. See you then!

From Liam and Michelle

At Karonga's Founders Day celebration on Thursday 21 September, I enjoyed helping staff and the Kings students serving refreshments to our visiting parents & carers.

Our school GA (General Assistant), Jim received a KIND award for helping the school maintain its recycling program.

On Sunday 1st October I am looking forward to celebrating my 12th birthday.

 

Karonga P&C were proud to support Founders Day, the weather was perfect and the animals put on a show.  Once again the students enjoyed the experience of holding and patting the ducklings, rabbits, chickens and sheep, plus feeding the goats. If anyone has any suggestions for next year, please let us know. You can email them to karongapc@gmail.com .

Travel Training

UNITING - Supporting Mental Health Month

Share Our Space (September School Holidays)

Disclaimer:

Articles published in the Community Noticeboard section of the Karonga Newsletter are provided for information for our school community only and their inclusion no way constitutes an endorsement of the product or service by Karonga School.