Volume 6 -  12th April 2007
Week 11 .... Term 1

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
Sports Day, Civics & Citizenship, Canberra Report, Easter Bonnet Parade, Junior Primary Swimming, Parking around the School, SAPSASA Swimming, Cycling Challenge, Sport, Kookaburra Cafe, Parent Club, Friends of Panalatinga Reserve, Spare Curtains, School Holiday Security, Past Student Achievement.+

REMINDER:  2.15 DISMISSAL - TOMORROW (THE LAST DAY OF TERM)
Final Assembly at 1:30pm on Friday

What a Term!
Well here we are at the end of a very busy term where as a school we have achieved much.  Students, staff and parents have been so busy on so many tasks and special events this term, besides all the excellent work that happens in classrooms here every day.

Some of the highlights this term have included the Canberra trip, Clean-up Australia Day, Swimming, Aquatics, visits from Japanese students and a teacher from Hong Kong, Harmony Day, many SAPSASA events, the introduction of the Smartboards into classrooms and Sports Day.  In fact we have so many events to celebrate in this Newsletter I have delayed the questionnaire on family values promised last time until next term.

While on the subject of Sports Day I would like to thank many people for making the day such a success. They include Scott Francis and Sue Higgins for their extra work, the House Captains for their effort, parent volunteers who worked on fundraising activities and in the Canteen, Helen King for her mighty effort in catering for the event, Mike Lane and Doug MacLean for their work in the background and all of the staff and students who participated so well on the day. 

While I am thanking people, I would also like to acknowledge all the work that the staff team put into making the Canberra trip such a wonderful experience for our year 7 students. In particular I would like to thank Simon Muller for his creating a program that was so interesting and engaging for our students.

On a personal note I would like to thank the whole school community for making me feel so welcome in the school. I feel like an "old hand" now and I am enjoying being at Happy Valley immensely and look forward to next term.

Remember Pupil Free Day on Friday May 11

Principal's Awards
These students received Principal Awards in last weeks Primary Assembly.  Elenore K., Jordan P., Alex S., Chane J., Brendon W., Alison J., Zacharia H., Georgie T., Georgia M., Daniel R., Sarah H., Reece H., Rhys K., Ashleigh P., Ben R., Sean G., Kate M., Kristi G., and Gemma B.

Well done to all of these people.

As many of you will now know, Sandra Bailey will be retiring at the end of this term.  Sandra has made this decision due to health reasons, although she had planned to finish work at the end of the year.

Sandra has been a member of the Happy Valley staff for 10 years and we will all be sad to see her go.  Sandra has made huge contributions to the school, both as a class teacher and also leading in the area of literacy.

Sandra's teaching career began in the north, in schools in the Burra area.  Her move to Adelaide led to her appointment to Happy Valley.  Children will have the opportunity to say goodbye at our final assembly at 1.30pm on the last day of term, Friday, April 13^th.  I am sure that the whole school community wishes to take the opportunity of wishing Sandra all the very best in her retirement.

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Our School Sports Day, held last Thursday, was a great success. Mike Lane prepared the oval to perfection and Scott Francis and Sue Higgins coordinated a wonderful program of activities and events. Teachers prepared the students and the House Leaders organized the practices. The stage was set for a big event!

On the day, the weather was perfect and a big crowd of parents turned out to watch the students participate. Following a warm welcome by Kylie Raymond the day's activities began with buddy class activities. Then followed the championship sprints and the tone for the day was set. Fun, participation and friendly competition, supported by enthusiastic barracking!

Year 7 boys competing in the relay

At the end of the day Nicolle ran out winners with 2290 points, followed by Mason 1930 points, Chandler 1864 points and Shepherd 1800 points

Nicolle -- the winning team!

Thank you to Helen King, Glenys Moylan and the parents who helped in the canteen. Also thank you to the Parent Club for their catering all day. Special thanks to Wendy Nicolle, Jenny Gormly and Cheryl Huxtable for keeping the points tallied and to Amelia Wright for attending to the sick and wounded.  Well done to all class teachers for their involvement, to help make it such a great event.

Mrs Smart's class enjoy the parachute

Congratulations to our wonderful House Leaders who worked tirelessly all day participating, and organizing their competitors. Well done to all the students for their participation and sporting approach to the whole day! Our Sports Days are very, very special events!

On Wednesday the 23^rd March, the Middle School classes went into Adelaide for a Civics and Citizenship excursion.

On the bus trip there the bus driver played the same music over and over and over.  It was just a drum changing beat every now and again.

When we got into Adelaide our class went to Parliament House to see Bob Such (the Independent MP for Fisher).  Bob Such gave us a tour of Parliament House starting with the House of Assembly.

The House of Assembly is where elected Members of Parliament from each of S.A's Electorates meet e.g. Fisher.  There are 47 seats in the House of Assembly in total.

The carpet in the House of Assembly is green with grapes and hay sewed into it.  On the sides of the carpet there was a blood line because in the old days the MPs brought the swords to the House of Assembly and fought with swords, not words.  When you stand on the edge the two sides are two sword widths apart. 

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In the Higher House there are only 22 seats.  The carpet is red in the Higher House because red is a royal colour.  Like the House of Assembly the carpet has something sewed into it, but in the High House it is the Sturt Desert Pea (S.A's floral emblem).

At the Australian Electoral Commission (aka AEC) Trish (our Instructor) talked to us about the Westminster system which originated in Great Britain.  Then Trish told us to go get a couple of work sheets, a clipboard and a pencil.  Then she told us to go into a different room to find out the answers and some boards.

After that we had an election.  The election was, if our teacher bought us lunch what would it be.  She chose four children to represent each food and give a speech about it.  The choices were Pizza, Hamburgers, a Salad Roll or Fish and Chips.  In the end, Fish and Chips won.

Once we'd left the AEC we had an hour of free time near the Rotunda at the River Torrens and then went back to school.

By Aaron F. (Mr Mueller's class)

Dear Parents,
I just wanted to share briefly with you what a brilliant week we had in Canberra.  Our students represented their school and families with the usual "Happy Valley Standard" and their conduct was often mentioned when we visited different institutions.

I'm sure you've shared stories about the week around the dinner table and I have no doubt that such a valuable learning experience will stay with each and every student for the rest of their lives.

Highlights for me were of course the amazing National Icons and the excellent educational programmes that we participated in, however, I will remember our positive, happy, cooperative students who questioned, clarified and made the most of every experience.  They all deserve a gold star! 

A huge thank you to the team of staff and parents -- Doug MacLean, Tom Vercoe, Amelia Wright and Wendy Nicolle who made the whole experience a positive and rewarding one.

More student reflections and photographs will be in our next newsletter.

Regards,
Simon Mueller

Last week a member of the City of Onkaparinga Council called in to discuss with us issues regarding parking around the school.  They have left brochures "Children Schools & Traffic" which will be distributed to all families this week.  We urge all parents and caregivers to read it carefully paying particular attention to the rules which apply to parking around our school.

We have been informed by the City of Onkaparinga Council that THERE WILL BE NO MORE WARNINGS!!  Fines will be imposed on those persons not obeying the rules. 

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The objectives of WSTSD are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.

• To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.

• To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.

• To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.

• To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.

• To promote the use of Public Transport.

• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.

• To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

We hope parents support the day by encouraging students to walk to school (and even walking with them!).  If you live too far away to walk the whole distance, park the car and walk the last 10 minutes to get the message across.

At the State SAPSASA Swimming Championships at the North Adelaide Pool Happy Valley P.S. had 4 swimmers selected to represent our district. They were Eleanor Keizer, Vanessa Kreslin, Laura Smith and Declan Brandenburg.

Vanessa Kreslin came 2^nd in the 50m Breaststroke and got a silver medal. She is now able to try out for the state team.  All the other swimmers participating did a great job as well. It was a fantastic experience!!!

Since state day Vanessa has discovered she has been selected in the South Australian State team to compete in the national championships later in the year. A great achievement Vanessa!

Eleanor, Vanessa, Laura and Declan

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Yesterday 24 Year 6 and 7 Pedal Prix students rode to the Happy Valley Sports Park near the high school to participate in the Cycling Challenge.  The six teams of riders rode in relay for 3 hours, competing against other primary schools from our area.  At the end of the day our Light Blue team had completed the most laps of the circuit and they won the day!
 

Ben Richardson, Luke Szeitz, Courtney Nicolle and Leah Wright.
 

As part of their prize the school will receive a visit from Nathan Bassett of the Crows, to present certificates to the riders.  This will happen early next term at a whole school assembly.
 

Dale Sharrad and Tori Smallwood
 

Congratulations to all the riders for their excellent behaviour and participation on the day.  Through their involvement our school was promoted in a very positive way.

Tori Smallwood and Amy Adams in the red team make their changeover

Thank you to Andrea Chapman and Wendy Nicolle for helping out with the day.

 Doug MacLean

SOCCER
The senior primary and under 10 teams have commenced practice on Wednesday afternoons after school.  Games kick off on May 12^th -- a program will be distributed early next term when it becomes available.  Invoices will also be sent home around that time.

We are in need of more players eligible for under 9s (born 1998 or 1999).  Due to an association ruling, some of our younger players are too young to play under 10s.  However, if we can get 4-5 additional players born in these years, we could probably field an under 9 team.  Please call me if your child is interested.

Gary Kite
8381 5820 or 0438 838 158
Soccer Co-Ordinator

FOOTBALL
Football season is right on us now with only 3 weeks to go.  All players have received their registration form and invoice.  If you haven't paid this yet please do so in the first week back at school.  Payments can be paid to Andrea at the book window Tuesday until Friday.

Coaches have asked that all players this season be at training so they have a good idea on the numbers and talent that they have.

If children misbehave at training or during the games they will not play that day and if it continues they will miss games.

The first round for all grades will begin on Friday 4/5/07 and Saturday 5/5/07  Yes that's right, a Friday night and Saturday games have been included this year. Great news! - we will be playing on the Friday Night at SOUTH ADELAIDE  OVAL  UNDER  LIGHTS  on  the  4/05/07.   All

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players 2/3s, 4/5s and 6/7s must be at the Oval between 6.15 and 6.30pm sharp as we play Woodcroft /white in the second game and we start at 7.15 pm on the DOT.  You can come earlier to watch another school play before us which will start at 5.45pm.

As far as I know there will be no football on the June long weekend (so you can still go away MUM and DAD) but I will keep you informed on that.

Have a safe and enjoyable school holiday and see you at the first training session.  Remember to put your training gear in your bag on the first day back at school.

If you have not put your child's name down to play football this year or you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to contact me on 8322 3531or 0407798930.  Thank You

Simon Brandenburg
Football Coordinator

A big thank you to all who supported the Canteen on Sports Day.  It was a great success.  Thanks also to the parents who helped me on the day especially Glenys Moylan who is always happy to give up her time.  Glenys’ youngest child left Happy Valley almost nine years ago and she still volunteers in the Canteen as well as LAP.

Thank you to the students who helped in the Canteen this term.  I hope to see you all again next term.  Have a great holiday.

A new price list will be sent home during the first week of Term 2 with some new items.  We will also be having a few Special Days so keep an eye on the newsletters for details.

ROSTER
Mon. 30^th April              CLOSED
Tues. 1^st May                Katrina Allen
Wed. 2^nd May              Suzie Boyce
Thurs. 3^rd May              
Fri. 4^th May                   Glenys Moylan
Mon. 7^th May                CLOSED
Tues. 8^th May                Katrina Allen
Wed. 9^th May               Suzie Boyce
Thurs. 10^th May
Fri. 11^th May

Have a great and safe holiday.

Regards, Helen King

A big thank you to all our helpers on the Hot Cross Bun stall during Sports Day.  Congratulations to our Easter Raffle winners -- 1^st Tania Howard, 2^nd Sonia Berry, 3^rd Marie Szeitz and 4^th Andrea Chapman.

The day went very well and we hope everyone enjoyed their Easter Buns and Coffee.

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