As Term 3 concludes we have been reviewing the great successes and achievements both at the end of term assembly, and at the staff wellbeing meeting.

We started the term, joining as a whole staff, other special educators at the annual SEPLA conference held at Rosehill Racecourse. There were over 1000 delegates from SSP schools around the state, and it was a great opportunity to listen to some inspiring speakers, and attend workshops of our choice based on specific themes. Our very own Mark Gosbell was Master of Ceremonies and he held the whole conference together and ensured it went without a hitch.

Over the next few weeks of term 3. along with school photographs being taken, we held an Anzac Service here at school, and hosted a Father’s Day breakfast for fathers to share time together – something they seem to rarely manage to do.

In week 7 the opening of the Karonga Multisport Court was attended by the Epping Club, who helped to make it a reality and local parliamentary members John Alexander and Damien Tudehope- so a photo-opportunity presented itself which was celebrated in the local press.

Last week we celebrated one of our great teachers at a presentation event , where Sabrina Wiley from Room 12 was recognised as excellent in her profession, and particularly celebrated as a teacher who exemplifies the departmental value of ‘Integrity’. Well done Sabrina.

Term 4 is the only term where we do not have a school development day pre-ceding the students return, so we welcome the students back for the final 2019 term on Monday October 14^th.

Ruth Rogers
Relieving Principal, Karonga

This semester the library program includes a ‘Science through Literature’ program for our Junior school with a focus on students developing an understanding of the observable features of birds.

We have been investigating birds that they will encounter in their everyday lives and familiar environments of home and school.

In particular, students have been encouraged to increase their knowledge and engagement with the chickens in the school environment.

Lessons have included the use of picture books, non-fiction books, sensory story boxes, songs, online stories and videos as well as sensory resources to support learning. We are looking forward to the arrival of the ‘Australian Museum in a Box – Birds’, which will have a range of specimens and resources for our students to experience.

The Senior School program has a ‘History through Literature’ focus.

This semester in keeping with Karonga’s School Vision of ‘supporting students to be life-long learners and valued members of the community’, the topic has been Australian History with a focus on Aboriginal culture and history. In particular this has meant connecting with the NAIDOC Week theme of ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth’ and current affairs such as changes to the climb at Uluru.

Students have been developing an understanding of significant annual events in the Australian calendar including Australia Day, NAIDOC Week and Sorry Day.

We will also be investigating the changing landscape over time in the Epping/Carlingford area, and the link to our school orchard and olive grove. 

Students have had the opportunity to interact with the ‘Australian Museum in a Box on Indigenous Culture’. They especially enjoyed identifying the bush tucker specimens.

Reading for pleasure is also an important focus and all students  have the opportunity each week to explore the diverse library collection and choose and borrow a book.

A big thank you to the Karonga P&C who every year donate $2,000 to our school library so that we can have a diverse book collection to cater for the interests and learning needs of our students.

Both the Science and History programs seek to make important connections with, and relevance to, the students' lives both at school and as Australian citizens.

Janelle Simpson-Goodwin
Assistant Principal/Teacher Librarian

We are almost at the end of Term 3 and it has been a very busy term in Room 5.

The students are still enjoying our weekly visits to the Return and Earn machine at Baulkham Hills to recycle our plastic bottles, cans and cartons. Kugan is enthusiastic to attend to the task, often the first to get off the bus. Joseph and Gavin can use the machine independently. So far we have collected $89.40 which is going to be contributed towards our Year 12 Graduation in October.

Swimming is another favourite activity in Room 5 and all of the students have made significant progress. Winfred has been working particularly hard on his breaststroke, and Kugan has been practising his safe skills in the water and around the pool side. Sharon is taking good care of herself by washing and drying her hair afterwards. We are a very fit and healthy class, as we also spend time in the gym and go for walks on the oval, which is Gordon’s favourite way to stay active. Sharon enjoys using the bike in the gym and Gavin is working hard to stretch his arms when catching and throwing. We have also visited and stepped foot around the newly opened multi sports court.

This term we have also commenced community access to West Epping Park. Kugan is showing good awareness of the road and pedestrian safety during our walks.  Winfred, Joseph, Gavin, Gordon and Kugan have demonstrated Karonga’s PBL rule of safe when walking in the community.  All Room 5 students have now successfully completed the Premier’s Sporting Challenge individually achieving a Diamond Award!

For Book Week Parade this year, Room 5 read the book ‘Colours of Australia’ by Bronwyn Bancroft. Each student dressed in a particular colour representing Australia. Gordon chose to wear red and enjoyed dancing to the music in the hall. We also made an artwork based on one of the pictures in the book. Joseph, Winfred and Gavin were most keen to help with the painting. Room 5 students also painted Aboriginal boomerangs to add to their costumes.

On Tuesday, this week, we celebrated Winfred’s 17^th birthday with a party! His favourite was his chocolate birthday mud cake with Freddos and Caramello Koalas. He had a very special day.

Until next time.

Susan and Emma

This term, the students of Room 13 enjoyed weekly visits to Carlingford Court for Community Access. Every Wednesday, making sure we had our wallets and shopping lists with us, we would take the school bus up to Carlingford Court.  

We always started with a stroll around the shopping centre. First stop was always the green grocer to buy some fruit and vegetables. Everyone would have a turn counting the items as they placed them into a bag. Second stop was Woolworths where we would buy items for home and items for Megan to use during her cooking lessons. Aria liked to buy cupcakes and chips. Timothy and Oras liked to buy chips too but Geonwoo always had something different on his shopping list. We looked forward to seeing what Geonwoo would buy each week, no matter what it was, it was always something delicious.

Once we paid for our shopping and packed the shopping bag, we would go to the food court and find a table big enough for the whole class to sit at. Here we would share a large packet of hot chips from the Fish and Chip shop. We always brought some back for Sylvia and Anaya who would be waiting for us back at school. Hot Chips were always a winner on the cold winter days.

Mary and Sandiya

Last Thursday we had an exciting visit from St Aloysius College Milsons Point. The 29 students from Year 5 visited Karonga School as part of their community participation program.

They were able to experience and participate in learning programs including morning routines, art and food technology lessons. During the learning sessions both St Alyosius and Karonga students were given an opportunity to interact and share learning experiences.

In appreciation of this opportunity the St Aloysius students raised money by completing chores and have donated it to Karonga School.

I would also like to thank the Karonga classes (Rooms 1, 3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14) who participated in the visit and shared their learning experiences with St Aloysius College.

Linda

Each year the Department of Education provides a platform for parents to have their say.

They have compiled a questionnaire for you to complete by simply logging onto the following link and completing the questions provided.

The survey is anonymous, so your identity will not be recognised.

The responses will be collated and will support Karonga in planning for the future.

Link to the survey:

http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/2019karonga

A representative for the website 'Travel Without Limits' recently dropped into the school office to discuss how their website may be helpful for parents and carers when planning travel.  Check out the News and Travel Stories sections for some helpful hints.