Hello everyone,

Thank you all for working with us when recently we ‘closed’ due to increasing COVID-19 numbers, and inability to secure substitute staff. These factors severely impacted our ability to remain operational. The Health Department, responding to the figures we submit on a daily basis, directed us to have a ‘circuit break’ to break the cycle and reset our community. It has been very effective and we are pleased to report that our figures are much more manageable.

COVID-19 notifications

Recently you will have received a school-wide email notifying you that someone at Karonga has identified as testing positive for COVID-19.

Why do we send it out to the whole school?

We are obliged to protect the anonymity of the person who has contracted COVID-19 due to privacy reasons. We also know that some students access the Assisted School Travel Program and are in a confined space with students from other classes; students share playground spaces with others from across the school and additionally Karonga offers lunchtime clubs and combine classes throughout the week. It is therefore very difficult to track contact between students and staff and we have, therefore, sent out a school-wide notification of a positive case of COVID-19 in the school.

Change of process

The P&C (Parents and Citizens) work hard to support the school. Sometimes this support is financial (currently paying for Music Therapy, Art Therapy and swim support), and sometimes this support is around school culture, perspective and ideas. At a recent P&C meeting it was proposed that families of the class within which COVID-19 has presented should specifically be notified, so that additional vigilance and concern can be apparent. This is something we are happy to do, so we will therefore send an additional email notifying you if a positive COVID-19 person has been in class with your child. We hope that this does not alarm our families- but reassures you that we are all working together to keep our school community healthy.

Individual Therapists

At the end of Term 1 I shared in the newsletter that, if therapists cannot be accommodated outside school hours, and the class teacher agrees/can accommodate the therapist in the class timetable, that individual families may apply to have therapists work with students between 12- 2pm at school. Please forward requests to the class teacher, who will process it to the Learning and Support Team (who meet on Tuesdays) for approval.

Spare uniform

The P&C are auditing old stock of uniform, which has been stored for the past 5 years, and donating it to the school so that if we have emergencies, and there are no personal spare clothes, we will use old uniform to change your child into. We will write ‘Karonga spares’ or ‘please return’ on them, so if they can be laundered and returned that would be appreciated. Please do not think that we are changing our uniform- the yellow shirts and old logo items are only for the purpose of offering a change of clothes for your child. As we have never sold shorts/ pants through the uniform shop, we still have need for these if you have items you would like to donate. We have particularly need for shorts and pants when we require a change of clothes, so please consider donating them (particularly bigger sizes) for this purpose.

Reminder: For the cost of a cup of coffee our uniform shop sells a great reusable bag within which spare clothes may be kept.

We held a morning tea with Leila’s family after a simple dedication ceremony on Thursday June 9th. Leila passed away at Bear Cottage on Anzac Day with her family beside her. It was a privilege to meet with her family and share some memories of their beloved Leila.

Lissette, the Art Therapist paid for by the P&C, led some great professional learning on Wednesday night (June 15th) around the theory and practicalities of Art Therapy. The staff gathered in the hall to enjoy the exploration of art materials and some key messaging around engaging our students through creative arts.

After 12 years at Karonga, as an SLSO, a teacher and as an Assistant Principal, Mel Currey has successfully gained a promotion at another school.

We wish Mel all the best as she leaves us at the end of this term, and look forward to hearing of updates around her Special Education journey at SEPLA conferences and meetings.

It has been a wonderful Term 2 for the students of Room 1. The swim program gave the term an exciting start. Oras and Sunday worked on their swimming abilities and had an exciting time.

The Art therapy sessions saw the students engage in activities enhancing their focus and creativity. From rolling clay and cutting different shapes to painting rainbows on canvas, the students had a great time. The customised art using edibles was most satisfying for Sidney and Sunday and the others who got to make it and eat it too!

Room 1 made the most of the wonderful sunshine on the cold winter mornings by going for walks and playing outside. Raj and Oras love being outdoors along with their classmates. They are exploring enthusiastically our newest play area Ashton.

The students have actively participated in the Literacy program, all learning activities and knowing about Australian history by participating in Anzac Day parade and learning about Reconciliation week. Sunday has been exceptional with his typing skills this term.

The artwork depicting the colours of Autumn among others was not only informative but enjoyable too.

We continue to take pride in our cooking program which brings smiles on the faces of students. Room 1 students continue to strive and put their best foot forward each day.

Ciji and Sandiya

The students of Room 4 have been learning about living and non-living things.

During their learning, students of Room 9, led by their class teacher Shani came by to show live chickens from the Karonga coop. Ben, Dakotah, Jayden and Jesse observed the animals with curiosity.

Room 4 students also learnt about the life cycle of frogs by observing tadpoles developing to frogs, and interacted with Tess, the school therapy dog.

Everyone enjoyed venturing outdoors to observe living things. The students experienced the plants and trees around the school, and smelled the herbs in the ANZAC garden.

Back in the classroom, Zena and Christian watered the plants.

Everyone planted some beans, which are sprouting at the moment. We are watching their development closely. Fingers crossed for some nice bean plants.  

Hetti & Janina

Room 6 have been super busy during daily Literacy lessons. We have been exploring a new letter and word each day. We all love reading books and looking for the word of the day in different stories. Gordon and Sami enjoy creating artworks out of the letter of the day using paint and coloured paper. Omar has been practicing writing fun sentences and drawing a picture to match his writing.

Room 6 have loved going to the gym a few times during the week. Bavan plays with the tennis balls and has great aim throwing them into the target game. Julian runs on the treadmill and laughs along while Gordon dances to the music. We have also loved exploring the new climbing playground. Omar climbs right to the top of the spider web tower! There is so much to explore for everyone.

Drumming has been a popular lunch time activity again this year. Unfortunately, due to staff shortages, we have been unable to participate as much as we would like.

Tomochika, Dakotah, Ruby, Sydney, Farhan and Elijah have all had the opportunity to come into the music suite and play various instrument with Jack (the music therapist) and Lowenna.

Sydney likes to play the shaker or will assist Jack with the guitar. He enjoys feeling the vibration of the strings as they are played.

Tomochika’s favourite is the drum and stick. He likes to vocalise while he is playing the drum.

Ruby enjoys singing along to the words in songs while shaking bells, playing the chimes and hitting the block.

Dakotah will play on the piano and sing along to the songs that we are playing.

Elijah will giggle while walking around with shakers and bells, playing the gong or the chimes

Lastly, Farhan enjoys playing the tambourine and shakers and the drum.

We hope to continue our drumming club again soon.

Lowenna

Founders Day Gift Bags

We have sent a note home in your child’s communication diary requesting volunteers to help pack gift bags for Karonga students, as part of the Founders day celebrations. Thank you to those who have already responded.

Given the three non-operational days and the Queen’s birthday public holiday, we will now accept forms up until 29^th June.  After that date, we will select the date/time that was most popular. If you are available, come meet other Karonga families for a social and collaborative working bee!

Yee-Foong Stone

President Karonga P&C

Hello, I’m Kelly Aston and I’m one of the Special Religious Education (SRE) teachers at Karonga Special School. I currently work at Epping Presbyterian Church as the Children’s Ministry worker, but I have previously worked at Kingsdene Special School and I’m very passionate about reaching out to people with special needs. Let me tell you a bit about SRE at your school.

Christian SRE (Scripture) is provided by SRE teachers from different Christian denominations and churches. The teachers at Karonga are from the Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW), and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. All Christian SRE teachers are authorised and trained by an approved provider.

The Christian SRE curriculum is based on the Good News about Jesus Christ and learning the key elements of our Christian life and culture. This year we are using the CEP ‘connect’ curriculum as our basis for lessons. You can find more information about this curriculum here: https://cepconnect.com.au/curriculum .  The material is modified to meet the needs of the students. The lesson time includes songs, prayer, stories from the Bible and a craft activity. We love exploring God’s Word together with the students.

If you would like to enrol your child in Christian SRE, please contact the office in writing or complete the attached permission note and forward to the School.