What a pleasure it was to meet many of you at our recent workshop with a presenter from Step Up. The talk shared with carers what their provision offers, a sample session and how it can meet the needs of Karonga students. While we cannot advocate for services outside the Department of Education, we recognize that this is a popular after-school provider, so we were pleased to offer them an opportunity to talk to carers. We had 20 carers attend – and a reminder to let us know if you would like us to get speakers of interest in to present after an end-of-term assembly.

At the conclusion of the Term 2 end-of-term assembly (Wednesday 2^nd July) we are offering a workshop from the CPA: Cerebral Palsy Alliance. They offer a broad service of respite and holiday programs. Check out the link at the end of this newsletter that features upcoming holiday events.

Only 3 school weeks after the CPA presentation (Wednesday August 6^th) we have a workshop called ‘Secret Boys Business’ by a healthcare practitioner from the Northcott Disability Services. They are writing this professional learning workshop for Karonga School and will cover broad areas of adolescence as well as specific areas e.g. masturbation. As the majority of our students are male, we hope for a good attendance, and if we have good feedback, will ask them to deliver a further workshop called ‘Secret Girls Business’ at a future date. Please put these dates into your diaries and look out for details on School Bytes.

We recently viewed data from Facebook to see how effective our communications are, and we were pleased to note increases from over 1 thousand 6 months ago, to 8 thousand views at the end of the 2024 school year, and now a view-rate of over 11 thousand currently. Please ‘follow’ us on Facebook to get some reflections of school events and join the broader online Karonga community.

Warm regards,
Ruth Rogers, Principal

Room 6 have had a great start to the year. We have been learning skills to use when in the community and practicing those skills when we go out. Each Monday, we walk to West Epping Park where we have been sharing and taking turns on the equipment and using our road safety skills that we practice at our own traffic crossing. James loves to climb at the park, and Naya has been enjoying spending time on the swings.

We have also started our weekly Thursday excursions, using public transport to get to different places. So far, we have used the bus, metro, and the light rail, and next term are going to add the ferry and train to our trips. We have been working on how to use Google Maps to find directions and timetables for transport, and working out how long each trip is going to take. While we are out, we have been learning to take care of our own belongings, follow the rules of each venue, and use public transport safely, including using our own Opal cards.

When we are back at school, some of our favourite lessons of the week are art therapy with Lisette, which David and Louisa particularly enjoy, and swimming with Murray, which is becoming one of Aiden’s favourites. We have also been doing a variety of jobs around the school as part of our work experience program. Suzie has been helping Sujung do some office tasks and deliveries around the school, and as school captain, Geonwoo has many responsibilities including putting up the flags.

We can’t wait to see what next term brings, including more visits to the post-school placements for our year 12 students, and some new venues for community access. Watch this space!

Emma and Sujung

As we reach the end of this term, we want to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful experiences and learning moments we’ve had in Room 12. It’s been a busy and joyful time, and we’re so grateful for each student's growth and progress.

In our Literacy program, we have been working hard on phonics. Every day, we’ve enjoyed diving into stories together, helping to strengthen their reading skills and fostering a love for books. It’s been amazing to see how much their confidence has grown, and they always look forward to our storytime.

Our Numeracy lessons have been very hands-on and practical. We’ve learned about mass, length, volume, and area, exploring these concepts through fun activities. It’s been great to see them connecting maths to the world around them.

In Science, we explored how natural resources are turned into things we use daily. We’ve learned how sheep’s wool becomes a warm sweater, how cotton flowers are made into soft T-shirts, and how tree bark is turned into paper. It was fascinating to see the students’ curiosity grow as they learned how nature provides us with so many useful materials.

In History, the lessons were full of exciting stories about special events from around the world. The students enjoyed learning about these important moments and how they have shaped our lives today.

Our Art Therapy lessons were a highlight. We had the chance to make our own paper through the paper-making process and create unique pieces of art using various materials. It was a creative time for everyone, and they truly enjoyed expressing themselves through their artwork.

During Music Therapy, the students explored different instruments and learned about rhythm and tone. It was a fun way to engage with sound and discover the joy of music. They particularly loved experimenting with different instruments and working together to create rhythms.

In the Gym, we focused on learning to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Through activities like running, exercising, and playing games, we developed our strength and coordination.

Finally, it has been a joy to see the friendships that have blossomed throughout the term. We have supported and encouraged each other, making the classroom a warm and friendly space for everyone.

It’s been such a fun and busy term, and we can’t wait to see all the new things the next term will bring!

Kelly and Laurie

What an amazing term we have had! The students have all enjoyed listening to a range of beautiful texts.  Some classes have created wall displays relating to their favourite book.  The students in Room 2 thoroughly enjoyed ‘Wombat Stew’ by Marcia Vaughan.

The students in Room 12 have continued to develop their fine motor skills.  They have been tracing patterns and letters. They have also been learning to use scissors and have completed some great alphabet craft.

In Room 13 the students have worked very hard using Alternative Pencils to create their own texts. After selecting a picture of their choice, the students use a combination of magnetic letters and an alphabet flip chart to select the letters they want written.

In Room 8 a few of the students are learning to match letters to spell words. They then complete a craft activity to match the word. In Room 4 the students are using their eye gaze to look at upper-case and lower-case letters.

On a few really hot days, some students enjoyed exploring magnetic alphabet letters in a water sensory tub. Learning and sharing together!

Karen Guerin-Kerr
Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction

This year, Rooms 3, 4, 5 and 6 are participating in work experience activities as part of their Life Skills and Transition program.

Rooms 3 and 4 have been exploring how we can use switches for both leisure and work activities. After practicing using switches to activate the radio, vibrating pillows, and light carousels, we move on to sharpen pencils with the electric sharpener for the classroom.

Rooms 5 and 6 have been working diligently to make up first aid packs for Royal Lifesaving Australia. For Room 6, this is a continuation of last years program. The students have been excited to get straight back into work. For Room 5, this is a new program. The students have been learning how to be careful with the materials, how to request help when struggling with part of the activity, and how to work in a production line alongside their classmates.

Every Wednesday, LAMP club is run by Megan, Analise and Hyma. LAMP club allows the children to become more familiar with their devices in play situations. LAMP has thousands of words to support robust communication. It allows students to put words together to say whatever they want to say, use verbs and adjective forms, and add word endings to use language the same as verbal speakers.

As we are approaching the end of term, this week we decided to get some of the student's favourite toys and encourage them to use their device for communication with others.

This term on a Wednesday, a Karonga junior and senior team have practiced during our lunch clubs to improve our Boccia skills. At the end of next term our Karonga junior team will participate at the Inter-School tournament to be held in Thornleigh.

William L, Chris, Mike, Louisa, Maddie, Haley, Mark and Paige have all enjoyed playing Boccia and have been demonstrating waiting their turn and developing their rolling and accuracy skills to see who can roll their ball closest to the white ball.

Warm regards,
Deb W and Sujung

Last week envelopes were sent home with students to order your official school photograph.  Photos are scheduled to be taken on Friday 2nd May (Term 2/Week 1) and envelopes can be filled out and returned to the school from now until photo day.

How to Order:

Each Student must hand in their own completed envelope, sibling envelopes are available at the Karonga school office and can be requested to be sent home with one of the siblings - please do not place your sibling envelope inside the school photo envelope as it may not get seen on the day photos are taken.

The School Photographer accepts the following payment methods:

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

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.