Our mission is to provide an enriching, enterprising and caring learning environment that offers the highest quality of learning for each individual student.

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Thank you to the parents and staff who attended the 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Happy Valley Governing Council, on Monday, 8^th March.

It was a very small number of people who heard about the wonderful achievements Happy Valley School made throughout 2003 as well as taking the opportunity to hear from Peter Simmonds, Happy Valley School’s new Principal.

For those who were unable to attend and are interested his presentation, it is available on the Internet in pdf format at  http://www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au/downloads/
ps_agm2004.pdf

Also at the AGM the 2003 Annual Report was tabled.  This very full report presented by Doug MacLean was endorsed in principle with the formal adoption at the first meeting of the new Governing Council on the 29^th March 2004.  . The draft 2003 Annual Report is available via the web at http://www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au/downloads/
HVS_AnnualReport03.pdf

Finally elections for Governing Councillors occurred without us achieving our constitutional limit of 20.  Members representing the views of our community and elected at the AGM are

We would also like to thank David Solly, Andrea Hanson, Lisa-Jane Millsteed and Declan Finan for their past membership and support on the Governing Council and Happy Valley Community.

At the conclusion of the AGM the new Council met and elected

Julie Abroe                   Chairperson

Dianne Gordon             Deputy Chairperson

Wendy Nicolle              Secretary

Dianne Gordon             Treasurer

Finally we have 2 x 2 year vacancies to be filled by parents who wish to support our school through being a member of the Governing Council.  A strong, robust representative parent body is critical to the strength and future to our school.  Here is a practical way to assist in the education of your children.

The opportunity to participate in the decision-making processes that ultimately affect your child’s personal education should not be under-estimated.  You may have considered becoming a councillor, but thought that you have no skills to offer.

The most important skill you have to offer is that you are a parent wanting the best for your children.  This is the only pre-requisite that any of the current councillors brings to the table.

If you have any questions or want to know more about what is involved, then please speak to Peter Simmonds or any of the current governing council members listed previously.

To continue the promotion of values, it seems timely to remind us all that in 2002 the school and its community undertook a consultative process to develop “Codes of Practice” for the Governing Council, Parents, Staff and Students.  These were developed as part of entering into Partnerships 21 and thank you again for the feedback these groups provided to shape these important statements.

Over the next two newsletters we will publish all of these statements, starting with Governing Council and Parents, to reiterate the strength of the partnership we have will all who contribute and make the Happy Valley School community.  The Week 9 Newsletter will include Students and Staff.

The Happy Valley School acknowledges that it operates within legal requirements, the Department of Education and Children’s Services regulations and policies, the Roles and Accountabilities Statement in Partnerships 21 and industrial awards.

GOVERNING COUNCIL
The role of the Governing Council is to oversee the development of the Partnerships Plan, monitor the plan and report on its success and on the areas that need improvement

At Happy Valley School it is expected that the Governing Council will

• Act honestly, trustworthy and confidentially, with good faith and in the best interests of the school as a whole

• Use due care and diligence in fulfilling all functions and powers attached to the governing council role

• Ensure that personal differences, or the interest of any associated persons do not conflict with the interests of the school

• Ensure the learning needs of all students are paramount in decision making

• Work collaboratively with all members of the school community

• Speak as one  - Grievances will be resolved within the council

PARENTS
At Happy Valley School it is expected that parents will

• Support the running of the school through involvement in committees and assisting with learning programs

• Communicate their opinions and concerns regarding their child’s learning and other school matters to members of staff and the Governing Council

• Value and promote their school and the achievements of staff, students and parents

•  Welcome new parents and encourage their contribution

• Endeavour to understand the purpose of the school and support its values and principles

• Participate within the school’s existing decision making structures and policies

•  Respect the diversity and values of families across the school

This week our first Walking School Bus route began.  On Monday, six ‘passengers’ with two adult ‘drivers’, followed their bus route from Seaview Drive down to the school, arriving active and excited at 8.40am.  The Seaview Drive route will operate most mornings, travelling down to Chandlers Hill Road, along Southern Cross Drive then through the park and along Devon Court to the school.

Walking School Bus Routes will probably operate only in the mornings, and not every morning, only when there are adults to ‘drive’ the bus and students who want to use it.  Families can opt to use it whenever it suits them – as little or as often as they like.

If you live along the route of the Seaview Drive bus, and you would like your child to use the bus, contact the school or the area coordinator, Jennifer Whitehead, phone 8322 3166.

We would like to establish buses in other areas too – in the Easton Road area, the McHarg Road area and the Fraser Road area.  If you live in any of these areas and would like to register for a Walking School Bus, please contact the school or pop in and get a Registration form from the front desk.

Walking School Buses promote Having Fun, Exercising Safely, Caring for Our Environment and Creating Communities.

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Just a reminder that applications close on Friday, 19 March 2004 and the assessments will be held on Saturday, 3 April 2004 at the 3 Ignite Secondary Schools.

Payment of $30:00 per application is required unless the student is a school card holder.

The Ignite Program [formerly known as the Students with High Intellectual Potential – or SHIP Secondary program] is specifically designed to meet the needs of gifted students.  Three secondary schools are involved in the Ignite Program, which include The Heights R-12 School, Glenunga International High School and Aberfoyle Park High School.

Whilst the program is primarily for Year 7 students who will commence secondary school in 2005, Year 6 students who are demonstrating an ability to work at a Year 7 level are also welcome to apply.

For further information on the program, visit the Ignite website at www.igniteprogram.com

If you want up to date information about literacy and numeracy, spend some time browsing the South Australian literacy and numeracy network at www.thenetwork.sa.edu.au.  The literacy and numeracy network provides learners, parents, educators and community members with a coordinated and streamlined source of information, advice, services and programs related to literacy and numeracy learning.

As you enter the network you can choose to go to the parents, educators or students sections.  These names give some idea of the content you will find in each section.  For example the parents section has

• FAQ, frequently asked questions about literacy and numeracy

• information about ways that everyday situations offer opportunities for parents to help their children develop literacy and numeracy skills

• information about assessment programs and resources eg State Literacy and Numeracy Tests, national benchmarks, standards, School Entry Assessment

• suggestions about who to contact with issues around children’s learning

•  links to other relevant organizations.

Although you might be most interested in the parents section don’t just look there. Take the time to visit the whole site to understand how literacy and numeracy affects everyone.

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LAP - (LEARNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)

Name: _________________________________       Telephone: ________________________________________

My child's name is: __________________________        Class Teacher: __________________________________

Signed: _____________________________________
 

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