We have some special packs going out to you over the next 10 days, so do check your mail boxes. In researching the foundation of Karonga School, we have found some significant parents and community members who paved the way for special needs provision state, and country-wide.

In 1964, a small group of local parents of children with disability, found there were no schools in NSW that would enroll their children. Eleven 3-year olds were turned down by government and private schools alike. The parents banded together, with Margaret Gibson as an early parent-activist, and they founded the first school in NSW for children with disability.

Karonga House Special School was opened on Pembroke Street in Epping on September 14^th 1964. It was established in an old house, owned by Hornsby Shire Council, and was named after the word existing as a name plate evident on the house frontage. The name plate and an early photograph are evident today in our front entrance, proud- as we are- of our heritage. Playgrounds and open spaces are being named after these important people: Gibson, Pembroke, Aston, Seach and Crawford.

We plan to celebrate September 14^th every year as our ‘Founders’ Day’, so this year we have sourced some fun and engaging materials and snacks for you to enjoy as a family. These packs will arrive addressed to the young person who attends Karonga School- but please save it for the 14^th September so we can have a community wide celebration.

This is also a reminder that our P&C are made up of current families who continue this legacy. You would be welcomed to attend with open arms, when we next meet, so look out in the newsletter for further details.

Book Week has been widely celebrated this week with some great photographs shared with us, based on the ideas we circulated at the end of last week. Enjoy.

Warm regards

Ruth Rogers

Principal

In Week 7, the students at Karonga School celebrated Book Week with some fun challenges and activities during their learning from home. A special video and task were uploaded to the Karonga Facebook and YouTube pages each day.   All students also had the opportunity to try and complete a Book Week Reading Challenge. Here are some of the wonderful photos of students taking part in the Book Week challenge.

Brendan looks very cool reading his book while wearing his sunglasses

Felicia was reading a digital book using a laptop at home

Gianni read a Toy Story book on the couch and upside down

Jordan read a book with his toys while dressed up in a minion costume

Timothy read a book using an iPad

Geonwoo read a book about Bluey and had a go at drawing some fantastic pictures