Dear families,

As we wrap up Term 2, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout what has been a vibrant and engaging term of learning at Karonga School.

Our end-of-term assembly on Wednesday was a wonderful celebration and reflection of the many experiences that have shaped this term. From the outset, students participated with pride in our Anzac Day march, accompanied by a live bagpiper and members of the Epping Club board. This meaningful tradition continues to connect our students with the broader community and build a sense of respect and inclusion.

Soon after, we captured precious school memories on photo day, followed by an enthusiastic two-week Swim School program for our primary-aged students. The joy and growth seen in the pool was matched by the confidence many students gained through this initiative.

Throughout the term, we’ve embraced a variety of whole-school events that have enriched our curriculum and strengthened our school culture. Highlights included:

• National Simultaneous Storytime, where our students joined thousands across Australia in sharing the joy of reading.
  
  
• NAIDOC Week activities, recognising and celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A whole-school hair-cutting opportunity, which encouraged confidence, independence, and personal care.
  
  
• A Key Word Sign workshop, offered to families to support communication and inclusion for all students.

These activities reflect our commitment to offering meaningful and diverse learning experiences that cater to the individual needs of our students, while also nurturing their sense of identity and belonging.

As we now head into the two-week winter break, I encourage all families to enjoy this time together, rest, and recharge. Term 3 will begin for students on Tuesday 22 July. During the first few weeks, I will be on leave taking a family holiday, but the school will remain in capable and experienced hands, ensuring a smooth start to the new term.

Thank you once again for your continued involvement in our school community. Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday.

Warm regards,
Ruth Rogers
Principal

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 really enjoyed the book ‘You and me, Murrawee’ by Kerri Hashmi and they worked together to create this beautiful display.  Meanwhile, the students in Rooms 3 and 4 enjoyed the book ‘Tom Tom' by Rosemary Sullivan.  The students created a didgeridoo, boomerang and coolamon from papier mâché.  The students in Room 11 enjoyed listening to the story ‘Possum Magic’ by Mem Fox and they made Grandma Poss.

In addition to reading a range of great books, the students are continuing to develop their phonic skills.  Each week the students learn about a sound and then they complete appropriate alphabet craft activities.  Have a look at the work from the students in room 1 and room 13.

Many of the students have been using prerecorded buttons to read along with a simple text. Oras, Arik, Sarah and Lucas have really enjoyed this activity.

In music therapy, Gabriel has been following the text of a song with his finger while Natalie sings.  What an amazing reader!

Karen Guerin-Kerr
Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction

As we approach the end of Term 2, we reflect on what has been a busy and productive period for Room 7. We are excited to welcome Evan to our class, who has truly brought a new sparkle to our learning environment!

Kerri and I have been working diligently with our lively and curious students: Jordan, William, Adam, Tarnae, and Oscar. We are thrilled to see significant progress in their communication skills this term.

Highlights of our term include Oscar and William’s participation in the ANZAC Day March, where they marched proudly behind a piper. We also participated in a simultaneous reading session, promoting a love of reading among our students, and celebrated Jordan's birthday. Additionally, Adam participated in the swimming program, further refining his skills.

Art and music therapy have been some of our favourite sessions this term. Students explored various art techniques, including press printing and clay modelling. Oscar, Adam, and Tarnae had a fantastic time working with clay, while William and Oscar enjoyed the creativity of printing with a press. During our music sessions, Oscar and Jordan collaborated to choose a song for the class, and Tarnae showcased his talent on the piano. Singing along to familiar tunes has become a highlight for William and Oscar.

As we wrap up this term, we wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday. Looking forward to more exciting adventures in Term 3!

Dipti, Ella and Kerri

As the school holidays approach, Room 12 students can reflect on a highly successful and satisfying term.

This term, Room 12 has been actively engaged in various hands-on projects across the school grounds. A significant highlight was their dedicated work in the new Karonga School Garden, where they mastered wearing gardening gloves, safe tool usage, and vegetable planting.

Weekly gym sessions have also been a hit, fostering strength, coordination, and confidence through activities like balancing, jumping, treadmill walking, and cycling. Room 12's enthusiasm and teamwork during these sessions have been outstanding.

Furthermore, Room 12's passion for music shines during their weekly sessions. They eagerly explore a range of instruments, strumming along and enjoying both singing and listening to their favorite songs.

Haley has loved having time to play on the trampoline and seesaw. She enjoys her weekly visits from our physiotherapist and having a go at using her mobile walking frame.

Qasim has settled into class amazingly this term. He is a very active member at our school, and shows a particular interest in puzzles, swimming and jumping on the trampoline.

Sebastian has been improving his literacy skills by completing alphabet related puzzles independently. He is a very happy member of room 12, and particularly loves the addition of the small indoor trampoline.

Farhan is a very lively and joyful member of Room 12. He shows his kindness by holding gates open for teachers and students, helping in the garden, and making sure all of his friends are happy.

George is has been very playful and curious at school this term. He loves singing songs, riding bikes and making towers out of Jenga blocks. George has been putting a great effort into learning to write CVC words independently!

Mark has had a great term, enjoying weekly swimming, playing on the piano in music, and visiting Kiosk. Mark is a very active member of Room 12; he has enjoyed playing with friends, riding bikes and testing out new toys.

Sarah & Agnes
 

This semester at Karonga, we have been working very hard to get our kitchen garden back up and running after some hiatus. Some staff volunteered to dismantle the old wooden garden beds and Bunnings kindly donated some brand new ones!

The senior classes helped to move the old soil into the new garden beds, and the junior classes were busy planting seeds using some staff donated Woolworth’s Discovery Garden kits. It has been a very long but rewarding process seeing the kitchen garden coming back together and all classes getting involved in planting, watering and weeding.

Our journey is still continuing with Karonga’s GA Malcolm kindly building some garden separators and labels for us using repurposed timber.

Everyone has been very excited about our new kitchen garden and watching the transformation happen before our eyes. Well done all classes for getting involved and a big thank you to all the staff that helped out in beautifying the space.

Zoe & The Gardening Team

Farhan showing kindness as he helped a class mate whilst on a class walk.

Due to the timing of the July meeting falling within the school holidays, the next P&C Meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday 20th August at 6.45pm. At this meeting we will be discussing activities for Founders Day so if you’re interested in getting involved or simply want to learn more about Karonga School, we’d love to see you there.  Please contact karongapc@gmail.com if you would like more information. 

Have a safe and enjoyable break over the school holidays.

Warm regards,

Yee-Foong Stone
Karonga P&C President

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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.