Volume 11 -  5th July 2007
Week 10 .... Term 2

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041
 

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
Meet the Writers, Crazy / Casual Day, Fundraising, See Sharp, Deadly Australians, Stop Work, Mobile Phones, Junior Primary Awards, School Canteen Opens Mondays, MS Readathon, SAPSASA Swimming, Sport, Kookaburra Cafe, OSHC, Southern Chess League, Parent Club, Community News.

EARLY DISMISSAL REMINDER
Last day of term - tomorrow: at 2.15pm

Yes, it is good to be back at Happy Valley after some interesting experiences in Europe!

Thanks to Judy, Doug and Steph for keeping things running smoothly in my absence.  I would also like to say a big thank you to all of the staff for putting in a great effort this term.  Reports, interviews, the political environment and the weather in the last few weeks all mean extra pressure on staff besides keeping classrooms, educational programs and the office working well.

The conference I attended in Norrkoping Sweden was very challenging and thought provoking.  

World renowned speakers from many different countries worked with the 1300 participants to help us develop our own thinking skills, and then we examined what we need to do in order to assist our students to become independent and curious thinkers and learners.

Participants came from many different countries, cultures, disciplines, religions and sectors however most were from education backgrounds although these varied from preschool to university and everything in between.

I was one of four Principals from South Australia who attended, and we hope to continue to meet as a group over the next few months and share ideas we gained from our time in Sweden and talk about how we are practically applying these ideas in our schools.

There is also an internet "Thinking Forum" set up so that we can continue learning from others in different places.

The conference organisers also gave us the opportunity to experience local culture and ways of life in rural Sweden. This also was a wonderful opportunity to expand our own thoughts about a culture that in some ways is very similar to our own, but in many ways very different.

Over the next few newsletters I will talk more on specific topics that we looked at and the questions that were posed for us to explore.

We also spent some time in Singapore and London as "stop-overs" and had the opportunity to visit schools and meet with other educators.

The biggest problem we had on our trip was trying to get out of Heathrow in the middle of the bomb threats. That was a character building activity on its own!
 

REMINDERS
Frid. August 24^th -- Pupil Free Day
Frid. September 7^th -- School Closure.

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Have you ever met a real author?
On the 28^th June we went to a 'Meet the Writers' conference where around 50 other schools also went to meet authors.  We met Phil Cummings, Rosanne Hawke and listened to a speech by Ursula Dubosarsky and Archie Fusillo. 

Phil Cummings explained his new book 'Danny Allen Was Here' in a VERY funny way.  Rosanne Hawke explained several of her books such as 'Borderland' and 'Sonya the Story Teller' and many more.  Ursula Dubasarsky explained some of her childhood.  She used to eat books!  Archie explained that he didn't know what a real story was until his teacher told him.  It was really fun and we suggest that anybody who loves reading and writing go to this conference next year.

By Kate, Leah and Amber

Students who met the Writers were Kristi, Kate M, Amber, Kate S and Leah pictured with Rosanne Hawke.

This year at 'Meet the Writers' our group met Phil Cummings and Rosanne Hawke.  We first saw Phil Cummings, he talked mainly about his new book 'Danny Allen was Here' and how he came up with the ideas.  He explained that in 'Danny Allen was Here' he got his ideas from his own experiences.  He told some funny stories about his childhood.

We also talked to Rosanne Hawke, she told us about her books and how she came up with them.  She showed us her 'scrap book' which she uses when she's writing a book to write down her ideas and thoughts.

During the day all the schools were talked to by Ursula Dubosarsky and Archie Fusillo.  Ursula Dubosarsky told us an interesting story about when she was little how because she loved books so much she'd eat the corners of them!  It was so funny and weird at the same time.  The last author we saw was Archie Fusillo who also told us stories about his childhood.  He was really funny and made everyone laugh.

By Kristina G and Kate M. 

Students pictured with Phil Cummings.

          Remember -- Crazy / Casual Day tomorrow
                             Friday July 6th.
Children may come to school in either crazy or casual clothing, but please remember to wear appropriate clothing for school ie no tank tops, crop tops or singlets. We ask that children bring a gold coin donation which will go into Kookaburra Council funds and be used for a charity/ charities chosen by the children.

WHEEL - ATHON
This year we are holding a "Wheelathon" to raise much needed funds for our school. This will involve each student bringing along their "Wheels" -- bike, scooter, skates or skateboard all with helmets -- a must, to school on:
                     Tuesday July 31^st -- Week 2.

Courses will be set up on asphalt areas. All children will receive a sponsor form today to enable them to get sponsors during the holidays. Please note that we do not support children door-knocking to find sponsors.

Next term Lorin Nicholson will be visiting our school on Thursday 13^th September to conduct a whole school session. He aims to show everyone, especially children, that you can overcome limitations and appreciate the diversity you find in life.

Lorin is an acoustic guitarist who has been legally blind since birth. He shares his fabulous guitar music with students and in the same presentation presents a message about acceptance of difference and self-belief, and relates his own experiences to wonderful effect.

We have been especially lucky as Lorin has agreed to present a free music workshop for instrumental music students after lunch and parents are welcome to come along too.

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If we  have  the  numbers  to warrant it, Lorin is also offering a  recital for parents and older siblings that evening.

I am giving you early notice so that you can put the date in your diary. I am looking forward to it!

Stephanie Kakoschke

The Deadly Australians visited our Reception to Years 3/4 classes last week

Madison enjoyed looking at the blue tongue lizards.

I loved feeling the snake and lizard skin.  Sophia.
The thing I liked best at Deadly Australians was touching the carpet python.  Chane
I liked going to deadly Australians and we got to pat the snake.  Alex S.
I liked touching the carpet python and the blue tongue lizard.  Sarah
I really liked how he brought all the snakes and told us about the red backed spider.  Sacha
My favourite bit was touching the carpet python skin.
The thing I liked best was looking at every thing at the end.  Elenore
The thing I liked the best was touching the snake!  Maddy.

Jesse, Liam, Josh, Natalie, Chloe and Mrs Gormly holding the carpet pyton. 

Thankyou for your understanding and support last Thursday.  Although the Stop Work did not go ahead, we appreciate that, like us, you would have had to consider contingency plans and have them in place in case they were needed.

It is encouraging that the public campaign involving parents, Principals and their Associations, and teachers and their Union on behalf of our students and their learning was so successful.  It lead to our Government dropping the 1% Work Cover levy payment by sites for the first $100 of any medical treatment for injured workers and payment for the first four weeks of replacement teachers ($7000 including on-costs). The State Government has also announced that the funding for DECS Swimming, Aquatics and Music Programmes will not be cut.

Further clarification is being sought regarding outstanding areas identified for funding reduction in the 2006-2007 State Budget. Your partnership in this ongoing issue is crucial and further industrial action may be considered in the light of continuing discussions on these outstanding matters. Many parents indicated their support, an example of which was:

"We offer all support and understanding as we would hate to see a loss of current services and facilities for our child! Well Done and Good Luck." -- a parent.

There have been some issues with students using their phones in school time. The following is a reminder about the school's policy with respect to student mobile phones.

Happy Valley School accepts that parents may provide their child with a mobile phone for a variety of reasons and purposes. In the main this is to communicate safety or emergency situations to the parent or changes in after school hours pickup arrangements.

Happy Valley School will neither encourage nor discourage such communication before and after the school hours of 8.30am and 3.15pm.

As a duty of care requirement, Happy Valley confirms that communication during the school hours of 8.30am and 3.15pm will only be done through the school telephones, with the knowledge of Office or teaching staff. Where appropriate this can be in a private or confidential environment.

Students must leave their mobile phones at the front office during the day, as a matter of security.

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Congratulations to Vanessa Kreslin!
From June 18^th -- 22^nd was the National SAPSASA Swimming meet in Adelaide.  I swam in the 50m Breaststroke on Wednesday and came 12^th out of 22 in Australia.  My time was a personal best time.  On Thursday we went to Greenhills with all the other States.  It was fun! 

On Friday I swam in two Relays.  We came 4^th in one and 8^th in the other.  My favourite part of the week was meeting new people.

Vanessa Kreslin
Mr Francis/Mrs Petho

Soccer
School soccer at Happy Valley has reached the halfway point of the season with some good results for both teams. The Senior Primary team has won 2 of its 7 games which is an improvement on this time last year. The merging of the boys and girls teams into one unit has gone rather well and I am very happy with the way the team is playing. The 7-4 win over Colonel Light Gardens last week was a terrific result for the kids and it was great to see the goals shared amongst 5 players. Credit should also go to Emma and Chloee who volunteered to help out CLG who were short on the day -- Emma even scored a goal against us.

The Under 10s are having a terrific season. After failing to win a game in 2006, they have won 5 of 7 this year and are showing improvement not just as individuals but in the way they are playing as a team. A lot of these players are still eligible for Under 10s next year so the future is looking good. Both the coach, Michael Fowler, and his assistant, Sean, a uni student who has come to help out at practice and at games, should take the credit for bringing these players along.

Both sides receive great support every week from family and friends and our supporters always seem to outnumber the opposition both home and away. Thanks to all those who are helping  with  the goal nets, running  the line  and  all  of

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the various tasks needed to make game day happen. I don't always get a chance to say thanks on the day but I do appreciate and notice the efforts.

Practice resumes at the usual times in week 1 next term. There are still a handful of players who need to pay their fees -- please have these in before the first game in term 3.

Gary Kite - Soccer Co-ordinator.

• Thank you to all the student and parent helpers during the term.  It is much appreciated.

• Don't forget to send your SHOWDOWN Donut orders back if you haven't already done so.  Donut day is Friday 27^th July.

• Next term we will be having a special meal deal day Fish, Wedges, Salad and a drink for $5.00.   Look for the flyer and newsletter item next term.

• Have a safe and happy holiday.

VOLUNTEER ROSTER
Mon. 23^rd July               CLOSED
Tues. 24^th July               Katrina Allen
Wed. 25^th July              Laura Taylor
Thurs. 26^th July             
Frid. 27^th July                Glenys Moylan
Mon. 30^th July               Andrea Chapman & Karen
                                           Erlandsen
Tues. 3^1st July                Katrina Allen
Wed. 1^st Aug.               Suzie Boyce
Thurs. 2^nd Aug.
Fri. 3^rd Aug.      

Helen King

There are still vacancies during Vacation Care.  Please book your children/ren in if care is needed.

Please note that OSHC will be open on the Pupil Free Day Friday 24^th August, but will be closed on the School Closure Day on Friday 7^th September 2007.

Roxanne Longbottom -- Director
8322 2411 or 0417 898739

Round 4.
Back to the serious business of competition, and our juniors had the misfortune of meeting the traditionally strong, young team, Coorara.  We did our best, but went down 1 -- 4.  Against the tide, Deayana Batten registered her second win for the season.  Well done!

 The seniors met the enigmatic Sunrise.  They only have four players, but have a fabulous strike rate.  Valley eked out a 2.5 -- 2.5 draw.

This round's special mention goes to rookie, Mystara Holweg.  Mystara joined competition chess at the senior level this year.  Round 4 saw her first points for the season... a stalemate with just a king against three rampaging queens.  Nerves of steel, Mystara!

Round 5.
When:              Tuesday July 31^st
Where:             Woodcroft College
Juniors to be seated by 6:15
Seniors                         7:15 

Mark and Yvonne Smith -- Coordinators
0418 137777 or 0419 811539

We would like to welcome Laura Taylor, a new mum and her children to the school and to the Parent Club for the first time.

A big 'thank you' to Nyree Haese, Fiona Doroch and helpers for organising the Kytons orders and to all those who purchased.  Another huge success.

On Wednesday 25^th July the new parent morning tea will be in the Long Room.  All welcome including young children.  Tea and tissues supplied.

The next Parent Club meeting is Wednesday, 1^st August.  Love to see you there.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday.  See you all next term.

Andrea Chapman

BAND OF THE S.A. POLICE with the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus.  Sat. 4^th August, Adelaide Town Hall. 7.30pm. 'A Night at the Proms'. Bookings at BASS

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