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Volume 1 - 3rd February 2005 |
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Ph: 8381
7166
Email: Website:
Inside this issue… |
We welcome all school families as we begin another school year. It is always great to see students catching up with friends again after the holiday break, settling in to their new class areas and talking with their new teachers on the first day back. A new school year is an exciting time especially for students, but also families, and believe it or not, even for teachers! Let's all work together to make this a really enjoyable, productive and memorable year. Parents will have an opportunity to meet teachers and discuss learning programs at the Acquaintance Night on Tuesday 22nd February. Keep this evening free!
Stephanie Kakoschke is an experienced teacher who has held a number of teaching and leadership positions, most recently at Paringa Park Primary School. She has a Rec./Year 1 class at our school this year. Margaret Neemann has taught across South Australia and even in London. Most recently she has taught at Black Forest Primary School and this year is taking a Reception class. Mark Inglis has had experience teaching secondary Society and Environment and Upper Primary Science, most recently at Hallett Cove R-12 School. This year he has Barb Williams' Year 6/7 class while Barb is Primary Head of School. Helen Whisson has returned to Happy Valley after 9 years at Macclesfield Primary School. She has a real interest in the environment and will be taking a leading role in Environmental Education at our school as she takes her Year 3 / 4 class this year. There are two other staff who are "new" to the school this year. Jim Graham has been reappointed to the school and is taking a Year 3/4 class. Trudie Petho has also been reappointed to fill a part time vacancy working with Scott Francis to teach a Year 5 class. We're very fortunate to have these two very experienced and well liked teachers working in the school again this year.
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Dear
Happy Valley Students, Parents and wider Community In writing to you, I do so with some anxiety due to the new role and the challenges and opportunities that it will present, but also anxiety due to the commitment I made to you as a leader to the Happy Valley School community in 2004 when appointed as Principal. I believe it appropriate that I tell you of the reasons and plans for this year, and extend my very best wishes to the Happy Valley School family for the 2005 school year. The opportunity to apply for this position came very late in Term 4, 2004 and is one, which only comes every few years. I thought that if I don't have a go I would always think about "what if", and perhaps kick myself if I didn't at least write an application. So I had a go and was successful. I clearly understand if people feel somewhat miffed by this, but trust that there is a better understanding of my thinking and thoughts. Prior to accepting this position I took wise counsel from school colleagues and friends in making my decision, and I thank them for their understanding, feedback and unreserved support. So it is for 12 months, and I have accepted the position with a right of return as Principal to Happy Valley School in 2006. I would also take this opportunity to thank the staff for their open support and warmth towards me since the appointment became common knowledge. Just prior to Christmas Day, working with the District Director, Aneta Marovich, department people in central office and in consultation with Julie Abroe, Governing Council Chairperson, we were successful in being able to assure stability with an internally appointed leadership team with Doug MacLean - Principal, Judy Davies - Junior Head of School and Barb Williams - Primary Head of School (4 weeks). In their professional and capable hands the school is well placed for a very successful school year. I hope that you don’t mind the occasional visit to say Hi throughout the year and so all the very best to you all in 2005.
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We would like to welcome our new Reception children, who started school on Wednesday this week. The children are in Unit 5 in Mrs Neemann's class. They are Shania Sarjeant, Breanna Trueman, Max McGregor, Caleb Whetton, Celine Phang, Aniket Dhabade, Lachie Gallas, Saffron Baines, Josh Rowe, Kate Culliver and Tyson deGraaf. The children are already looking really well settled and, as you can see, were very happy to have their photo taken on their first day of school.
A welcome also, to our new families - it is wonderful that you have chosen Happy Valley School as the starting point for your child's learning journey. We look forward to working with you over the next years. A special welcome too, to another four students, and their families, also new to Happy Valley, and who started on the first day of this term. They are Sacha Rankin, Jasmine and Luke Deakin, Jayden and Kurtis May and Steph and Jesse Hommelhoff.
We are very happy to welcome 5 Korean students to Happy Valley School for the first 4 weeks of the school term. The students are staying with host families for this time and will be in the Year 6 and Year 6/7 classes. They arrived in Australia last Thursday, and spent several days at Mylor Camp, before meeting their host families on Sunday. This visit was arranged quite late last term and during the holidays. We are really grateful to the families who agreed to host the children and who met them so enthusiastically on the weekend. The children were welcomed at our assembly on Tuesday. We are hoping that this will be a wonderful and positive learning experience for both those children visiting from Korea, as well as for all Happy Valley students. |
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Acquaintance night is planned for Tuesday, Week 4, February 22nd This event provides teachers the opportunity to meet with parents early in the year and raise such topics as
This is a general information-sharing event and parents are asked that if you have a specific issue which needs to be raised with the teacher, please do so by using the time at the end of the meeting to make a separate appointment with the class teacher. This allows more quality time to raise and resolve any issue. Times are:-
A creche is provided from 6.30 - 8.45pm in the Resource Centre, for parents who cannot make alternative arrangements and is supervised by the specialist teaching staff. Bookings at the Front Office are essential.
This award is given each year in memory of a past parent of our school, Sandra Kopli, who had a love of literature and learning. The award is presented to the Year 6 student who is judged to have the best literary skills in developing a piece of imaginative writing in a competition held in fourth term.
We are proud to announce that Louise Jesshope is the winner of the 2004 Sandra Kopli Award. Congratulations Louise on an outstanding effort! |
Our School offers a 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, all students who intend beginning to learn an instrument, must complete an Application to Learn a Musical Instrument, so that their learning during the school day can be more closely monitored. If your child is interested in learning an instrument (other than violin or recorder), and you have considered the relevant information, collect an 'Application to Learn a Musical Instrument' form from the front office and return it to Barb Williams. All applications to learn will be considered by the class teacher, the instrumental teacher and the school instrumental music coordinator (Barb Williams) before approval is given for students to learn. Violin and Recorder students, beginning or continuing, need to return the slip below to Barb Williams. Recorder-teacher Mrs Julie KuchelAll 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. The fee structure for this year is:
Fees need to be paid in advance for the term or year. Lessons will begin in week three and the fees need to be paid directly to Mrs Kuchel. Violin - teacher Mrs Jenni Eime Students from Years 3 -- 7 are invited to enrol in our violin program. Mrs Eime is our violin teacher and is employed by DECS so there are no tuition fees. However students need to hire or own an instrument. Violins are available for hire from the school for $25 per term. There is also a $10 administration fee for the year. All violin students need to enrol for lessons, whether they are continuing or are new students, by completing and returning the slip below. Lessons will begin on Friday Feb 11th (week 2). |
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Continuing students please remember to bring your violins that day. New students are invited to come to one ‘trial’ lesson and then decide whether they would like to continue.
Guitar
-- teacher Ms Alison Hansen
Keyboard
- teacher Mr Neil Weber (Dr Rhythm)
Saxophone & Clarinet
- teacher Mr Steve King
The first meeting this year will be on Monday 14th February at 7.30 pm in the staffroom. The governing Council AGM will be on Monday 7th March.
The Materials and Services Charge for 2005 has been set by the Governing Council at $196. The Education Minister has set the legally enforceable Materials and Services Charge for 2005 at $171 (The Education Act 1972 Section 106A -- Materials and Services Charge). In addition, there will be a Governing Council Approved Curriculum Levy of $25 which will fund the purchase of 2005 Learning Plan resources. The performance levy for all students is $44.00. School Card holders will only be asked to pay $69 -- the Governing Council Approved Curriculum Levy and the Performance Levy combined. The Governing Council has set the fees for 2005 with the understanding that we need everyone’s cooperation in the following ways.
It is essential that families who are eligible for school card apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We have to |
stress that failure to do so before the cut-off date means that the family is required to pay the legally enforceable fee of $171 per student, as the school will not receive government assistance. Further information and application forms are available from the Front Office. All students should have received an invoice for School Fees 2005 last year together with an accompanying letter explaining the time payment plan for 2005 approved by Governing Council. Please contact Andrea Roberts for a copy if you did not receive this information. Invoices for Reception -- Year 5 level swimming and Year 6 & 7 aquatics will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to these activities.
The Middle School Years program at Happy Valley, Years 6 & 7, aims to develop in students a sense of team and cooperation in their senior years in Primary School. Early in the year we plan an Orientation Day to assist the development of cohesion between classes. A physically active program in the morning followed by a barbecue and discussions around decision making, goal setting and leadership in the afternoon, will be the main components of this year's Orientation Day planned for Thursday 17th February. We will send out more details, including asking for assistance from parents with the barbecue, in the near future.
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. Organisers of our School Sport this year are:
Convenor Georgie Goldfinch Thank you to these parents for volunteering their time for these really important roles. We still do not have a Netball Coordinator. If you are interested, speak to Georgie Goldfinch or Doug MacLean.
Plates, platters etc. have been left behind following the Year 7 Graduation Supper 2004. These are available from the front office. |
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Students will participate in the following swimming/aquatic program in Term 1, as part of our health and physical education program. All parents will receive a separate invoice for their child’s swimming/aquatic program within the next few days.
Class
Dates Venue
Our Edible Garden Committee is looking for more families to become involved in the co-ordinating of the garden. A meeting once a term and general tidy up each start of a season is all that is involved as well as watering during holidays when necessary. The other way to help is in the class to supervise when planting takes place and weeding once a week. The students learn from our garden, not only how to grow things, but also the continuous responsibility of looking after a garden. Please complete the tear off slip if you are interested.
Welcome back to everyone after the Christmas holiday break. We currently have NO VACANCIES for After School Care. If you require care in the future, please come and fill in a Waiting List Application.
Roxanne
Longbottom |
Welcome back to school for 2005. We will be sending out a new price list tomorrow following an increase in some prices. New items include -- Pocket Bread and Lavash (wrap) Bread filled with any salad item e.g. ham, chicken, tuna, egg. Use the price for sandwiches and add 30c extra for these speciality breads.
Please do not order iceblocks or slush puppy on lunch order bags. Counter sales only. For new parents -- please put student and class teacher name, items required, total of money and money enclosed on the bag. Change will be put into the corner of the bag. Money in lunch order bags must be wrapped for health reasons. If Hot Noodles or a drink are the only purchase, money can be placed in an envelope. If a student has no lunch, the teacher will send a note to the canteen where we will supply a sandwich or similar. As a result, an account will be issued. A reminder that we sell 1/2 Saus.Roll, 1/2 Hot Dogs, 1/2 Cakes, Buns -- check the price list for details.
ROSTER Vacancies exist for helpers in the Canteen. If you are able to spare a few hours per week, fortnight or month, please consider volunteering. Purchases can be made at cost price. If you would like to know more, phone 8322 6579 or call in and have a chat over a tea or coffee. Help forms will be sent home soon. |
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RECORDER 2005 (Please return to Barb Williams by Friday 11th February) Child’s Name: _____________________Class Teacher: _________________________ Year level: _________ I would like my child to learn recorder with Mrs Kuchel this year and I am aware of the costs involved. My child has learnt recorder before Yes / No My child has a recorder to use Yes / No Parent Signature: __________________________ If you are a beginning recorder student remember to collect an 'Application to Learn a Musical Instrument' form from the front office. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIOLIN 2005 (Please return to Barb Williams by Friday 11th February) Child’s Name: __________________________ Class Teacher: _____________________ Year Level: _________ I would like my child to learn violin with Mrs Eime this year. My child has learnt violin before Yes / No My child has a violin / will hire a violin from the school (Cross out not applicable) Parent Signature: ___________________________ If you are a beginning violin student remember to collect an 'Application to Learn a Musical Instrument' form from the front office. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDIBLE GARDEN q I am interested in joining the Edible Garden Family Committee q I am interested in helping in my child’s class with the Edible Garden. Name: _________________________________________ Child’s Name: _______________________________ Class Teacher: ___________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
