This year J16 comprised eight students with big personalities; each more unique from the next. These personalities have come together to form amazing friendships that have supported and encouraged one another through a fun year of learning and helped each grow as an individual.

This year in J16, while classroom learning has been a priority, we have looked forward to a range of outdoor sessions to get our bodies moving. Students have had an absolute blast participating in Tuesday morning bike rides, Monday afternoon swimming lessons and Thursday morning sports sessions. The improvements made in each student's gross motor skills, from the beginning of the year to now, has been nothing short of astounding.

J16 students have also successfully learnt to exchange money in our class shop program. They have always been excited about 'buying' their food from their teachers each morning (despite the odd complaint that we don't use real money and that the food we sold was, coincidentally, the same as what they had brought to school in their lunch box!)

We have also kept our painting wrists limber this year by bringing enthusiasm to the creation of a range of beautiful artworks that have showcased the students' backgrounds and personalities. Some of these artworks have been inspired by Indigenous, Chinese and Arabic cultures, whilst others have drawn inspiration from beautiful Australian landscapes. Regular painting has provided students with a sensory outlet and also cultivated an improvement in their fine motor skills.

We have also participated with enthusiasm in a number of exciting events throughout the year including Book Week (where, in my opinion, J16 was best dressed!), Education Week and NAIDOC Week.

It has been a pleasure this year to teach a class full of such vibrant personalities and to teach alongside Margaret and Randa, who are such supportive and caring SLSOs.

Best of luck to the staff and students of J16 for 2021.