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WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY
Friday 7th April |
Two
of the main objectives of this day are to promote the health benefits of
walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age. Over
25% of Australian children are overweight or obese. This event acts as
a catalyst to get children and their parents/carers to use more "active
transport", by promoting community awareness of the need to walk more
for better health.
The
days leading up to the event provide a perfect opportunity to get
children talking about physical activity and nutrition issues and taking
these messages home. For those who must drive, we suggest parents and
carers leave their cars up to a kilometre from school and walk to school
with their children. This will result in additional physical activity
for all concerned, personal training in how to cross roads and less
traffic congestion and will aid pollution around the school.
Junior Primary teachers are often asked by parents about how they can
best help their children at home. One of the things that we encourage
parents to do is to listen to their children read.
Over
the last years, teachers have worked really hard to match children with
books that are appropriate for the child's reading level. This means
that we use what we call "levelled books." Teachers regularly check out
which level is the most appropriate for the child. The books from which
the children choose to take home are always pitched at a level, which
the child should be able to read fluently and to understand. This is
because we want reading at home to be a pleasurable experience for both
parents and children. Children may be on the same level for some time.
We
also encourage parents to talk about the story and the book with their
children. Reading at home is not meant to be a "test". In the
classroom teachers use books which are a little more difficult for the
children, about 2 -- 3 levels above the take home book, and ones which
we call an "instructional level." If you have any questions about your
child's reading, please have a talk with his/her teacher.
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We
believe that our school has many positive and happy relationships, and
as part of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) we are keen to
address the subject of bullying and harassment. To this end we
conducted bully audits last year. Students were asked to indicate
where, when and by whom they were bullied and what type of bullying
occurred.
This
enables us to identify areas of concern and to follow up issues. A
Bully Audit is currently being undertaken and will be repeated each
term.
At
Happy Valley, we understand that mobile phones fill a need for some
families, especially in relation to the occasional issues about before
and after school safety and communication.
There are a number of issues associated with mobile phones, including
security and interruptions to class programs. Because of these issues
we prefer that students do not bring mobile phones to school.
If,
however, you do require your child to have a mobile phone at school
there are a number of things, which you need to do.
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Please advise your child's teacher that he/ she has a mobile phone.
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Instruct your child to keep the phone secure and turned off at all
times.
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Remind your child about keeping the phone out of sight.
Should students breach these requirements, they will be subject to our
normal Student Behaviour Management consequences.
Any
phone calls, which students need to make, must be made through the Front
Office. Should you need to get a message to your child/ children these
also need to be made to the office, and one of the Front Office staff
will get a message to the children.
Recently at assembly, this issue was discussed and students were
informed of the dangers of wearing inappropriate jewellery to school.
Sleepers, studs and watches are permissible at school. However no other
jewellery is allowed. We are seeking your help in this, as some of the
earrings worn this year are quite dangerous and could lead to a very
painful accident.
This
week a number of parents have reported that parents are crossing
Education Road with children without using the crossing. We ask that all
parents use the school crossing -- as adults, we are constantly
modelling behaviour for our children whether or not we realize it. |
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SUCCESS FOR ALL : SACE REVIEW REPORT |
One
copy of The SACE Review Panel's final report, Success for All:
Ministerial Review of Senior Secondary Education in South Australia
has now arrived at schools. If parents would like to have a
look at this, please go to the Library.
All
Junior Primary children will be going to swimming next week, in Week 11,
from Monday to Thursday. Please make sure that you have returned all
necessary forms, including medical and consent forms, in addition to
payment.
This
week at Junior Primary assembly the following children received Program
Achieve awards -- Dylan Cerone, Holly Price, Aleesha Baker, Daniel
Draper, Michael Doroch, Melanie Erlandsen, Leila Wood and Joel Clavell.
Congratulations
to the following students who have received Principal's Awards, for
demonstrating our school values. They are
Breahnn Sheridan, Mitchell Hutchins, Joe Coggins, Emily Mesecke, Ben
Lawrence, Jesse Chudleigh
Violin
students
Students please remember to bring your violins on the first day of next
term.
Recorder students
There will be no recorder lessons until the second week of next term.
The extra lesson will be caught up at the end of the term. |
Choir Students
Choir students are reminded to bring their money for choir lunch by
Monday April 10th. as the lunch is on the 12th
before we go to Bethsalem to present a performance in the afternoon.
The
Education Subcommittee has had its first meeting and is in the process
of planning several different activities for during the year.
These include a "Come and Try" art activity during Term 2, and a
workshop around Relationships and Wellbeing.
We
are again offering our "Parents as Partners" workshops. These will
happen during Term 2. The series of 5 workshops will again focus on how
parents can best support their children's learning. An invitation will
be sent home in the next few days, which will include a tear-off slip.
Please return this slip as soon as possible if you would like to
participate, as numbers will be limited.
Debby Haskard-Strauss is our "Resident Artist", a joint scheme with our
school, Onkaparinga Council and the Port Noarlunga Art Centre. Debby
has involved the students of Happy Valley School in many art activities,
in small lunchtime groups to whole class activities. Our fantastic
Edible Garden Mural is another project led by Debby, which involved
students from Reception to Year 7 as well as staff and parents.
The
Onkaparinga Council would like to encourage this partnership as well as
highlight other Art programs by organising a "Come and Try" program for
the school community in Weeks 4 and 5, Term 2, with Debby and other
Artists. Then the Education Sub Committee will follow up with a more
detailed workshop with Debby. See future newsletters for more details.
If
you are interested in being part of the Education Subcommittee please
let Judy Davies know, as we would love to have more members.
Thank you to all the people who have supported our sunscreen fundraiser.
A
last reminder -- bulb orders need to be back at school this Friday
April 7th.
Also
we have order forms at the school for the very popular "Entertainment
Books." If you would like to purchase a book please come to the Front
Office, or phone for an order form. Again there are a wide variety of
businesses included in the book's offers. These include restaurants,
cafes, as well as arts, sports and other attractions. |
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The
Governing Council recently had its Annual General Meeting. At this
meeting a number of new Governing Councillors were elected. In addition
to the Governing Council there are a number of subcommittees, including
Education, Finance, OSHC, Grounds/ Environment, Sport, Healthy Eating,
Canteen, Fundraising and Parent Club. Some of these groups would really
appreciate an increase in their numbers.
If
you would like to be a member of one of these subcommittees, please
contact Judy Davies at the school. We would love to have some extra
people on board.
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AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF
STATISTICS FEATURING HAPPY VALLEY SCHOOL |
The
CensusAtSchool Newsletter is now online and features an article on Happy
Valley School. You can view the article and the photos at this link:
http://www.abs.gov.au/websiteadbs/CaSHome.nsf/Home
/Newsletter10
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MANAGING CHILDREN'S
BEHAVIOUR |
This
group is for parents and carers of children aged 1 -- 8 years with
behaviour and emotional issues, and also for those who wish to extend
their parenting.
Learn some positive strategies to guide children's behaviour and improve
relationships.
Five
fortnightly sessions will be held at Ascot Park Primary School, Pildappa
Avenue, Parkholme beginning Monday 8th May at 6.30pm.
For
more details or an enrolment form, please see Amelia or Lorraine at the
front office. |
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Don't forgot that on the last day of term, Thursday 13th
April lunch orders will be available. Please make two choices of hot
food and milk drinks due to low stock.
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Thank you to Glenys Moylan and Rebecca Barnfield for their help all day
on Sports Day. A big thanks you too to the parents who helped pack
lunch trays. It was a very good day.
ROSTER
Mon. 10 April
Tues. 11 April
Wed. 12 April Karen Erlandsen
Thur. 13 April Glenys Moylan
Term 2
Mon. 1 May PUPIL FREE DAY
Tues 2 May
Wed. 3 May. Andrea Chapman
Thur. 4 May. Sue Phillips
Frid. 5 May Glenys Moylan
Have a safe and happy Easter and holidays. See you next term.
Regards, Helen King
BASKETBALL
Year
4 and 5 boys and girls interested in playing basketball during Terms 2,
3 & 4 are asked to contact Lisa Fauser 8387 3275 as soon as possible.
FOOTBALL
The
Coaching clinic for the year 6 & 7’s at SOUTH ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB on
the 30/3/06 was a great success with over 150 children attending. The
skills that each player learnt on the day should be noticeable when
playing our Great Game on Saturday mornings.
Remember that football fees are due next week, so I can finalise all
fees with the SANFL and South Adelaide Football (Panther League).
Thanking you for the prompt payments so far.
There will be training next week and then training will resume on the
first week after school holidays. All games will be played on the
Saturday 6 May. |
