ACQUAINTANCE NIGHT FEBRUARY 17^th –
ALL WELCOME

Acquaintance night is planned for Tuesday, Week 4, February 17^th.  Traditionally the Governing Council undertakes a sausage sizzle in the central courtyard from 6.00 pm for those attending and this is to be confirmed.
This event provides teachers the opportunity to meet with parents early in the year and raise such topics as

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEEISM

By law all young people between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to regularly attend school.  We understand that there are many reasons why students have the occasional day away.  If this is the case then the system requires an explanation from parents or caregivers for this absence.
 

From time to time we have large number of absences due to illness, the flu, where no explanation had been provided.  Please, if your child is absent, let their class teacher know either through a phone call, a note in their diary or message book.  If we do not receive an explanation after 3 consecutive days we are required to contact you formally for an explanation. 

After 2 weeks of such unexplained absence the matter is then referred to the department.

Continued absence from school has a serious and negative impact on student learning and their ability to form and maintain positive relationships with staff and other students.  In the long run, this has quite negative effects on their future potential both in terms of employment opportunities and their ability to relate effectively to other people.

An average of 1 day’s absence from school per week = 40 days per year (effectively 4 weeks) = 52 weeks or more than one school year in a child’s schooling.  We would have a number of students who would easily meet this – is your child one of them?  What decisions therefore are you making about their future now?

DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP
STUDENTS

Happy Valley is not unique in its problems of student and parent safety when dropping off and collecting children at the beginning and end of each day.  Every school has this issue and when there are almost 400 students and their parents this is amplified

We understand that for 20 minutes at the beginning and end of the school day it is extremely congested in these areas and great care is needed by pedestrians and those in cars.  Clearly we will never have enough car parking areas to accommodate all parents, staff and visitors at these times.  We would stress that when and wherever possible, have your children walk to school with you. This could be by parking away from the school, or organise virtual walking cars and buses with friends and neighbours.

The speed limit is 25kmh when children are present.  When crossing the street please cross straight across the road from footpath to footpath so that children are on the road for the shortest possible amount of time.  Parents of students who cross Education Road are asked to reinforce with your children the need to use the pedestrian crossing when the lights are operating.

Please be patient and extremely careful at these busy times of the day around Happy Valley.  Our children and their safety is more important than saving a few minutes of time.

In addition Happy Valley has one (1) identified car park for people who qualify for a Disabled Person's Parking Permit under the Motor Vehicles Act.

It is critical that your Disabled Person's Parking Permit from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles is clearly visible when parking in this area. Out of courtesy, we would ask those cars without such permits displayed not park in this designated area.

For further information on obtaining a Disabled Person's Parking Permit from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, please contact the Transport SA Call Centre on 13 10 84 between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday.

Finally, please do not park in the Kindy car park.  We ask that the Kindergarten car park be strictly for those parents who are dropping off or collecting children who attend kindy sessions.  As we can all appreciate the kindy wishes to restrict the amount of traffic in their parking area so that children under 5 years old are not placed at any risk of being hit, as these children are little over bumper high!

PARENT – CAREGIVER ENQUIRIES PROCEDURES

As parents and caregivers we want the very best for our children.  What exactly is “the best” of course differs greatly from one parent to the next but basically we all want our children to be successful and happy - and to feel secure in all aspects of their lives.

During their school years, the home and school occupy the greatest part of their time - and carry the greatest influence on their development into adulthood.  Obviously, the more harmony there is between home and school, the greater will be the chances of achievement and fulfilment.

At our school we acknowledge that at times, parents have concerns about their child’s education.  Issues or concerns that you as parents have regarding your child’s education are most effectively dealt with if they are raised in the following ways.

Personal educational matters such as concerns regarding student, parent or staff relationships should be raised directly with the school through the Class Teacher, Principal or Deputy Principal in a confidential manner.

General school matters such as the timing of sports days or comments about policy are most appropriately raised with members of School Council.  This can be done by writing to School Council, or by speaking to a School Councillor.

When approaching the school with a concern or issue, it is important that it is your issue or concern that we are discussing.  If you have difficulty approaching the school, you may feel more comfortable bringing a friend with you.  However, it is important to realise that due to reasons of confidentiality, we will not be able to discuss issues that concern other children or families.

1.    Make an appointment to talk to the Classroom Teacher. (This makes the most productive use of the time available when the teacher is free to give you their full attention.)

2.    If you consider that the issue you have raised is still unresolved you need to state this to the teacher at the conclusion of the meeting, and make an appointment with the Principal or Deputy Principal.

3.    Discuss the issue with the Principal or Deputy.  Results of this meeting may include:

• monitoring the situation

• further discussion with people involved

• outside support may be sought

If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting, phone or write to the Principal/Deputy Principal again to air your concerns.  If the school does not receive further information, it is reasonable to consider that the issue is resolved.

If after steps 1-4 you are still dissatisfied, approach the District Director (on 8207 3700) or their Executive Assistant who will try to resolve the situation further.  The expectation of the District Director will be that the above steps have been followed.

It is important that these grievances are kept confidential, and although at times you may wish to seek support from friends or an advocate, it is very important to do this wisely.  When the matter is discussed in the student’s hearing, it is important that the student understands that you have confidence that the issue will be resolved confidentially at the school level.  Criticism of the school teacher does not support the child’s education as it undermines trust and confidence, and can be adversely influential upon children’s learning.

Please ensure it is your issue or concern we are discussing. Make an appointment to meet with the teacher.
If the issue is unresolved make an appointment with the Principal or Deputy

FROM THE RESOURCE CENTRE

Bookclub is operating again this year.  Orders are to be sent to the front office by 9/2/04.  Please ensure that your child's name and class teacher's NAME (not room number) is included at the top of the order form.  Credit cards can be used for amounts LARGER than $15.

Don't forget that we recycle batteries!!  Deliver old batteries directly to the Resource Centre please.  Judy, Phyllis, Sue.

CURRICULUM VITAE – PETER SIMMONDS

Current, Principal Happy Valley School

2000 – 2003, Principal Heysen Primary School

Heysen is a collaborative learning community committed to quality teaching and learning. Heysen School is one of four schools that make up the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus.  The other schools are Spence (Government), Nativity (Catholic Church) and Pilgrim (Uniting Church).  Although each school is separate, there is a high level of cooperation and collaboration between them.

1997-9 Project Manager – Managing DECStech 2001

Team leader and strategic facilitator of people committed to providing pre-schools and schools across South Australia with ICT tools and infrastructure required to develop and support an Information Society connected to national and international resources.

1993-7  Principal - Junior Primary, Braeview School;
A collaborative management team of 5 with 540 R-7 students.

In State and National arenas I have had significant involvement in the following,

• current executive member the SA Primary Principals (SAPPA)

• current member of the First Years of School portfolio of SAPPA

• current SAPPA Chairperson of the ICT portfolio

• current member of the PALLACE Life Long Learning Initiative

• past executive member of the Junior Primary Principals’ Association

I am really excited to be at Happy Valley this year and I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the term.  I come to Happy Valley knowing just a little about its history and very strong community identity and am keen to become a part of it.

To give a ‘potted history’ of myself, for the past 5 years I was at Spence Primary School, (part of the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus) as Deputy Principal with a year as Principal. Prior to that, I was deputy at Klemzig School and Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, and Forbes Schools.

I spent a number of years as an advisor to schools in the areas of Early Childhood and Leadership and Professional Development, following 12 months as lecturer and tutor in Curriculum Studies at what was then Sturt College, now part of Flinders University.

As a classroom teacher I spent 4 years in Whyalla before returning to the city and schools in the north eastern and western areas of Adelaide.  Most of my teaching has been in the Junior Primary area, although last year I had a year 3 / 4 class, which was fantastic!

On a more personal note, I have 2 children Fraser 15 and Bernadette 10½  (as she informs me!)  We live just out of Echunga, where we have some acreage and my husband is running beef cattle. 

With the restructuring of the leadership positions at Happy Valley, my role is Junior Head of School and with a particular focus on the teaching and learning program.  However as a leadership team of three Peter, Doug and myself all share some responsibilities across Reception to Year 7.

I am teaching each Friday in Sandra Bailey’s Year 1 / 2 class and therefore available Monday to Thursday to meet with you and answer any questions or concerns.

I have received a very warm welcome to Happy Valley and after a week and a bit feel a part of the very professional group of staff.

Marg Rigby

Our School offers a huge range of opportunities for students to learn to play a musical instrument.  Students can enrol for lessons in almost any instrument.  If your child is interested in learning, please return the appropriate tear off slip to the school, or you may wish to speak to the music teacher about the program.  As students become more proficient at their instruments, there are many opportunities to perform – at assemblies, at music evenings and in the school band.  Learning an instrument is a wonderful skill to develop at an early age and enjoy for life.

This year, students who intend continuing, or beginning to learn an instrument, must complete an application to learn, so that students learning during the school day can be more closely monitored.

If your child is interested in learning an instrument and you have considered the relevant information, collect an 'Application to Learn an Instrument' from the front office (or for recorder/violin enrolment, the tear off slips at the end of this newsletter) and return it to Doug MacLean.  All applications to learn will be considered by the class teacher, the instrumental teacher and the school instrumental music coordinator (Doug MacLean), before approval is given for students to learn.
 

All Year 2-7 students are invited to enrol to learn recorder, as new or continuing players.  Learning the recorder can be an introduction to another musical instrument but it can also be played as an instrument in its own right.  Lessons are conducted on Tuesdays in small groups according to year level and ability.  School approved Yamaha descant recorders can be purchased from the book room for $7 each.

• Term 1              $20.00
• Term 2              $20.00
• Term 3              $20.00
• Term 4              $20.00              $80.00

Have you checked out our Edible Garden this year?
Thank you very much to the holiday waterers!  They were the Bartel, Hardwick, Ottewell and Nicolle families.  Well done.

We have cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini, strawberries and herbs ready to pick and snap dragons and sunflowers to add a bit of colour to the plots.

For those new to the school, although the plots are mainly looked after by the classes, there is a core group of families that supervise and help with at least one working bee per year.  Please fill the attached slip and return it to the front office if you are at all interested.  It involves very little time, usually a meeting each term.  The other way to be involved is to help in your child’s class.  Don’t wait to be asked, explain to the teacher your interest and time availability.

Not all classes are involved with a plot, so being in the Core Family group may be a way to be involved. 

Those classes that do have a plot discuss their activities, usually during class meeting time.  They discuss then vote on the plants they may wish to grow.  The seeds/seedlings are purchased by the Edible Garden budget.  Any donations are gratefully accepted.  Last year we received tools, seedlings and a compost bin this way.  Different class work differently, some classes have a small group of students that are in charge of their plot while other classes work on a roster and all students are involved.

Wendy Nicolle
On behalf of the Edible Garden Core Group

We are pleased to advise that we currently have vacancies.  Please come and see us if you would like childcare before or after school.

Our A.G.M. is on Wednesday 18^th February at 7.30pm.  Please come along and support school’s OSHC program.  All welcome.

Roxanne Longbottom & Carol Forte – Directors
8322 2411 – direct line with answering machine
or 0417 898 739

Would your child like to play sport for the school this year?  Have they completed an enrolment form?  If not, forms are available from the front office.

URGENT!  URGENT!  URGENT!
At this time we have no parent to coordinate cricket.  Without a coordinator, cricket will not be offered this year.  If your child has registered for cricket, please offer to coordinate this sport so that they can play.  Speak to Doug MacLean if you are available to help.

We are looking for girls from 7 – 17 years for Club Soccer on Sunday mornings.  Learn new skills, get fit, meet new friends and have some fun.

Tuesday nights 5 – 7pm at the Marion Sporting Complex, Sturt Road.  Contact Chris 8294 6444(W) or 0417 816 821.

Hi everyone and welcome to the start of the new school year and especially to all the new staff and students.  We look forward to a fun year ahead.

A few points to make note of:
UNIFORM ROOM HOURS
Wed. 2.45 – 3.45pm and Frid. 8.30 – 9.30am

If you can spare some time to help out in the Uniform Room (as it is run by volunteers), your assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Please call in during opening hours.

Our School Photos will be held in Term 4 this year (not Term 2 as previously).

Parent Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month and we hope to see lots of new faces attending this year.  Our first meeting is on Tuesday 3^rd February at 9.00am in the Long Room.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Sharon Kreslin (Secretary)