An exciting new year has begun at the Ananda Marga River School.

Some new faces in the staff include two primary teachers, Melissa Matters for the Currawongs (grade four) and Leah Campbell for the new class, the Kingfishers (composite class two/three).   There are also two new parent teachers-aides, Julie Hohn and Brenda Bons.   Tracey Lewis, the new art teacher is spreading her art enthusiasm as she complements the themes and topics of the different classes.

With swimming being a popular summer activity, the River School is pleased to be able to use the Maleny Pool. It's so inspiring seeing the children having fun in the water as they learn how to swim or improve their swimming skills.

The Kindy and Pre-School have both had very positive starts for the new year.  Lillypillys (grade one) have settled in well and their thirst for learning is radiating.   Gumnuts (grade two) have begun their Turtle-Reptile Science Topic and their creative writing is underway with the Faraway Tree.  The children of class two/three voted in the name of Kingfishers for their class title.  The students brought pictures, info and great posters of their chosen native bird.

Through co-operative group work and writing tasks, the children and teacher Leah have been getting to know each other.  This term they will be studying Minibeasts.   Melissa and the Currawongs have been getting to know each other and have had a productive first week setting up their classroom and routines.

The Silky Oaks have changed in its composition; instead of a composite class of four/five, they are now a composite class of five/six.  With a new art program and a continuation of their music classes, the Silky Oaks are looking forward to creative year.

Senior Teacher at the River School Ann Donoghoe is coordinating the all-school maths program, which implements the new Queensland Maths Syllabus, as well as a whole school sports/fitness policy aimed at progressive gross and fine motor skill development from Kindy to Year Seven.

French will be continued this year for the Red Cedars. The English focus for term one will be immersion in poetry, developing a bibliographical student profile, visiting the genres of recounts, narratives and report writings, and continued emphasis on sharpening their spelling and reading abilities.   Their project for term one is entitled, Natural (weather-based) Phenomena.

The River School would like to thank Dr Jane Longstaff for her donation of two fine volumes of the Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia.  For information about the River School and enrolments phone 5494 3559.

Photo:  River School staff, front row from left, Melissa Matters,
Leah Campbell, Ann Donoghoe and, back row from left, Dada Ratnadevananda,
Tim Bell, Anna Robb, Vanessa Page and Prabha Demasson.