SCHOOL HISTORY

The school commenced in 1964 in an old cottage at 6 Pembroke Street, Epping. These temporary premises were provided by Hornsby Shire Council following representations by Mrs Margaret Gibson, the foundation President of N.S.W. Sub-normal Children's Welfare Association.

At that time, the Education Department did not provide services for multi-disabled children and the parents united together to form the Epping Branch of the Association.

In September 1964, the school began with two teachers and eleven students. The following year enrolment grew to twenty seven students and another teacher was employed. Mrs Elizabeth Aston was the first Principal, retiring in 1973.

November 1967 was the opening of the intermediate school on the present site. A 1-3/4 acre lot was given by the Education Department and Hornsby Council made Karonga Close, for access. Enrolment now stood at sixty nine and the school was overcrowded.

Extensions to the school building were opened in 1971.

At the end of 1973 the Commonwealth Government accepted the recommendation of the Karmel Report that all children in Australia be entitled to education by the state system irrespective of l.Q. or ability.

Epping Branch elected to transfer Karonga to the N.S.W. Government and in 1974 Mrs Seach was appointed Principal in a holding position. Negotiations were completed 5 years later. The Education Department assumed
responsibility for the staff in January 1977 and the lower school buildings purchased in 1979.

The Education Department built the new section of the school 1980-81 and enrolment was 171 with a teaching staff of 26.6.

With the continued enrolment of students into support classes the enrolment at Karonga has declined and the school was reclassified at the beginning of 1991. When Mrs Seach retired in 1990 the enrolment was 90.

Karonga School is proud of its achievement and commenced providing individual educational programs in 1991 following the introduction of the "Curriculum Statement for Students with Severe Intellectual Disability".