Welcome back to all the Karonga families.

As we embark on a new school year and an 11-week school term, national and international concerns about the coronavirus continue to cause anxiety. Karonga School has a number of very vulnerable students and as a consequence we thoroughly explored the incidence of students who travelled to China over the holidays. I can attest to the fact that we had 1 Karonga student travel to China and they have currently not returned and are observing the 14 day isolation period.

Whist the poor air quality necessitated many indoor duties in Term 4 2019, we are now facing extreme temperatures and floods causing us similar health concerns. Whilst we would prefer the students to play outdoors and burn up some energy, combining classes on such occasions is inevitable and classes are carefully paired.

Please ensure you save the date for our ‘Meet The Teacher’ evening on Wednesday February 19^th between 5.30- 6.30pm. We would really appreciate ALL students being represented, and you will get a chance to visit your child’s classroom, listen to an account of the class school week, and meet the staff who are so important in your child’s life.

As there seemed to be some confusion about School Development Days, may I clarify that the first day of Terms 1, 2 and 3, and the last 2 days of Term 4 are designated days for staff to have professional learning. No students attend on these days. When we do make any changes to these days, as we did in 2019, we consult with the school community and liaise with ASTP and the Director, as changes are taken very seriously. Our only change this year, with respect to staff professional learning, is that staff are committing to 2 twilight learning sessions in terms 2 and 3 of 3 hours each, and will thus not attend to the school site on Friday December 18^th.

Can I please remind those parents who bring their children to school, of the importance of arriving within the 8.45- 9am timeframe:

• Your child will make it to the beginning of the school day when teachers communicate the days plan with visuals and an understanding of any special events or changes to routines
• Your child will be at school for roll-marking, and not have ‘late attendance’ marked against their name
• It is very disruptive to the rest of the class as the SLSO has to leave the classroom to collect your child
• Your child will miss the opportunity to empty their school bag and start the school day off in the same way as their friends
• It is a mandatory requirement of the Department of Education

Warm Regards

Ruth Rogers