Filter Content
We cannot believe it is Term 3 and August already! The school year is flying by.
Our term started with the annual Special Education Principal and Leaders’ Conference where our staff were enrolled for a full day of professional learning. Teachers and School Learning Support Officers listened to some inspirational key-note speakers, and were then able to choose workshops relevant to their interests. It was a great opportunity to meet staff from other SSP schools, and our own Mark Gosbell was the Master of Ceremonies pulling the whole conference together.
Over the holidays we had new Interactive boards installed in 5 of the classrooms, committed as we are to having current technology available to our students and staff. Further new boards will be installed as necessary to refresh aging technology.
Our new Relieving Director Steve Freeborn visited our school on Wednesday and was impressed by the calibre and extent of our facilities and resources. He was shown around the school and met a range of students and staff with whom he was most impressed. It was terrific to show him around and see all classes actively engaged in programs and wanting to share their interest.
On Thursday we welcomed delegates from the Epping Club to our school who have so generously contributed to our latest resource: the multi-sport court. They have been committed over the past 18 months in promoting our school and driving fund-raising events to best support our students’ learning. They have held ‘Seniors Luncheons’, members’ dinners, sponsored City2Surf runners and the Food and Wine Festival where all profits are going to our school to enhance our facilities. We plan to officially open the multi-sport court in 6-8 weeks’ time with various dignitaries invited, to further promote our school and put us clearly on the map.
Whilst the wheelchair accessible ramp and multi-sport court won’t quite be available to be opened this week during the Education Week celebrations, I am none-the-less looking forward to seeing as many families as possible visit school on Wednesday, and also at the Epping Club’s Food and Wine Festival on Friday August 9th from 6pm.
Below is a photograph of Mark and Ruth at the Dr. Seuss-themed conference dinner
We have all returned to school ready to learn in Term 3.
Room 3 is always very busy. Every week we go out on community access, do hydrotherapy in the school pool, play instruments during music therapy, explore different flowers under the microscope, explore different cultures and their importance, practise our mobility skills, and work towards all our different communication goals.
We have started off the term absolutely excelling with our swimming skills. Each student has shown great improvement and there are lots of smiles; we are clearly very proud of ourselves and our new swimming activities. Zena managing her body balance in the water and reaching for flotation support for a rest. Yeting is walking safely down the pool steps. Ria is listening and using her core muscles to twist and manoeuvre herself in the water. All our students are also learning to access the pool safely, particularly via the steps. We are very grateful to our Hydro therapist, Dianne and Louise (SLSO) who have been wonderful in assisting us to achieve more and more swimming goals.
During music therapy we are discovering our love of different instruments; Zena is a major guitar fan, Ria adores Flute and Yeting is discovering the drums. Dakotah scrutinizes different keys on the Piano. Jesse is starting to explore his singing side and all the students are very proud of their own efforts!
This term we will be celebrating Education Week, Rakhi (a Hindi festival celebrating the love and care between brothers and sisters), Father’s Day and Zena’s 13th birthday.
Until next time,
Kamaldeep and Rupak
Term 3 is underway and Room 6 have dived in with enthusiasm and are ready for a busy eventful Term.
We have continued with our gym program and all students are excited and are willing to give a variety of equipment a go. Julian explores all gym equipment and especially enjoys running on the treadmill and rowing. In our last couple of visits, he has now taken to the step machine and his skills are improving with great strides. Sarah was a bit nervous at first but has become increasingly more self-assured in standing on the vibration machine and has great aim when throwing at the target.
In Art, Room 6 have completed a variety of art pieces and projects which have been linked to various topics in the classroom. Following on our Science focus on lifecycles we completed cellophane butterflies, textural caterpillars and darkling beetles with black piper cleaner legs and feelers. We have also completed other artworks related to ANZAC Day, the Seasons and NAIDOC week. Meena especially enjoys gluing activities. Sadev and Hannah have learnt to experiment with colours and textures to create a variety of patterns through their artworks. Painting is always a favourite of all.
With a focus on NAIDOC week we have been immersed in a variety of Dreamtime stories and have enjoyed creating our own storytelling through our dreamtime art. We are looking forward to working on our next art masterpieces and cannot wait to paint our boomerangs.
Debbie and Liesa
Our intrepid Room 8 students have recently been recreating the sensory experiences of the well-loved children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.” We even had a visit from Tess, our adorable Karonga therapy dog, who played the cameo role of the bear!
Last week we sat on the “swishy swashy” grass in the big playground and enjoyed soaking up the sun’s warmth on a winter afternoon.
During swim school we “splash sploshed” with our friends in the deep cold river setting, otherwise known as the Karonga school pool.
Our “thick oozy” mud was actually a moisturising mousse that looked like shaving cream. It went “squelch squerch” in between our fingers and then we had fun spreading it across the classroom group table.
We used echo microphones with torches and plasma balls to “stumble trip” through the big dark forest and narrow gloomy cave. We enjoyed trying to catch the bubbles that replicated a swirling whirling snowstorm. “Hoooo Woooo!”
Colouring in our bear mask highlighted the shiny wet nose, two big furry ears and two big goggly eyes. We looked in the mirror and saw our inner bears! But…
We’re not going on a bear hunt again!
Shani and Mandy
Phoebe started school at Karonga at the beginning of this school year. She is in Kindergarten and has recently turned 5. Phoebe has a lot of verbal language in Mandarin and is making outstanding progress developing her skills in using English. Phoebe is a very social girl who enjoys talking with her friends at Karonga as well as friends at Epping West Public School during Integration activities. She also enjoys swimming, cutting and pasting activities, cognitive play, cooking, music and counting activities.
Our four Yr12 students, Jacob, Joseph, Kaspar and Kimberley will be graduating this year.
All senior students and their families, as well as all Karonga staff are invited to share in this important celebration.
This is a wonderful occasion for our students, parents, carers and school community to celebrate and socialise. It also provides an important and rare opportunity for our senior students to attend an age-appropriate evening event with their friends and families, as well as being lots of fun!
The evening includes a three course meal and a disco.
The Graduation Dinner will be held at The Epping Club on Thursday evening 24th October, 2019.
More information will be available as the year progresses but for now save the date.
SEE YOU THERE
Advertisements published in the Karonga Courier are provided for information only and their inclusion in no way constitutes an endorsement of the product or service by Karonga School.
Links to information on websites are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation of those sites. Please note we do not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of any information on these external websites.