Dear families,

Well, what a term it has been. We have had major events such as the opening of our Mini Woolies, exposure through Channel 9 Australia-wide about our new traffic lights and other opportunities at Karonga, as well as our well-attended Harmony Day lunch. On top of new classes, new families, Meet-the-teacher and PLP meetings, school has been particularly busy and active.

We are currently finalizing processes around our new snack program (to be called KIOSK- not canteen) and payment processes for cooking programs- please bear with us. Families are being asked to deposit $20 into the School Bytes account so that students can access the wide range of snacks on offer every Wednesday. I do encourage you to support this program- this is giving students real-life experiences of shopping in a safe and controlled environment. You could even consider ordering something for a sibling of your Karonga child, and it will be sent home.

All staff recently attended professional learning from an external professional called Sue Larkey, who wrote material to guide us in supporting students who are dysregulated and how best to return them to being ‘in the zone’ for learning. It was a terrific course and very well received.

While parents appreciate – and in many cases treasure- the awards given to students in assemblies, we have long considered that they are not a valued reward to the students themselves. We have developed a range of items – both edible and non-edible- which students can exchange for their Principal’s Award token, after the end-of-term assemblies. We have provided a range of visuals from which to choose and we will endeavour to get the item to the student by the Friday of that week if we do not have enough of the favourite item. Staff will write the choice made on the certificate at the bottom.

During weeks 2 and 3 of Term 2 we will be holding our Swim School here at Karonga. This is for Primary age students only, so if your child is in senior school, please do not send them into school with (or wearing) their bathers, nor mention it to them. Primary age children will be swimming every day- a terrific opportunity to practice their skills consistently, though it is disruptive to their regular program.
If classes are able to swim after swim school finishes, the teacher will advise you separately.

A reminder that the first week back in Term 2 is a busy one. Staff will return on the Monday to commit to some state-wide curriculum learning, with students returning on Tuesday April 30th, 2024. On the Wednesday we will hold an Anzac Service, where our school leaders- William and Brendan will move through the school with a Scottish bagpiper to have a minute’s silence at our Anzac Garden. This year we are inviting delegates from the Epping Club to join us. On Friday May 3rd, we are having school photographs taken. Please dress students in their summer uniform for this occasion, and put a sloppy-joe, or school jacket in their bag if it is cold. We know that our students photograph so much better in their summer uniform. The student photo envelopes will be sent home today. 

Ruth Rogers
Principal

Room 3 has had a wonderful start to the year after returning from the school holidays. The students are settling well. We are embedding sensory activities in our lessons as we work towards improving concentration and motor skills. Room 3 has been busy during classroom activities with communicating using their devices. In our circle time, we have quality learning with our interactive activities. We are learning number counting, shapes and colours. In English, we are learning about the letter of the week and Aboriginal stories through reading, writing and drawings. In science, we are learning about our human anatomy. Music sessions with Bec have been a highlight, with students exploring instruments and practising taking turns. Room 3 has had a great start, and we are extremely excited to see all the amazing learning. We are looking forward to the rest of the year together, working on PLP goals and the many exciting events and activities ahead.

Kind regards,
Kelly, Kerrie, Mariam

Room 1 has 7 students in the class this year, Anita, Arik, Oras, Ria, Sidney, Shuyang and William.
Students have been working diligently towards achieving their learning goals and in addition to having some fun.
In science, students have been studying the Solar System. The immersive classroom has been the perfect setting for extension activities. Sidney particularly enjoyed ‘exploring the moon’.
Students were extremely lucky to attend the school library last week, when the author of Why Can’t We Go Mars For a Holiday? read her book to the students. Oras, Arik and Ria were especially attentive. The book, with its planet theme, was another excellent extension learning activity.
Art therapy is always a hit in Room 1. Anita and Shuyang are always the first to the table when Lissette and Coco arrive with the art trolley. Throughout the term, students have created artworks connected to the curriculum literacy program.
Room 1 students have been exploring drama through puppets. We are working towards a small production of Rapunzel. William has demonstrated special connection to the puppets.
As Term 1 draws to a close, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and look forward to more great learning in Term 2.

Yesterday we wished Sidney a very happy 16th birthday!

Throughout the first term, a group of senior students at our school have been actively involved in assembling bandage packs for the Royal Life Saving Society. Before beginning their work, the students follow hygiene protocols by washing their hands and wearing high-visibility vests. They then work together at a desk and form a production line that involves picking and packing. Our students have been working incredibly hard to pick the correct number of products and pack them in the right orientation. It is a fantastic sight to see these future workers putting their skills into practice while working as a team.

Kind regards
Dipti and Sujung