Volume 12 -  2nd August 2007
Week 2 .... Term 3

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
Staffing, Dress Code, Welcome, Welcome Back, Wheel-a-thon, LAN tests, Pedal Prix, Reminders, Damp & Shade, Music Night, Quiz Night, Working Bee, Book Week, MS Readathon, School Photos, Payment of School Fees, Sport, Kookaburra Cafe, OSHC, Southern Chess League, Parent Club, Tear Off Slip

They're Not My Friends Any More!

Our children are learning everyday about how to be responsible adults who can respect others and act with integrity.  In fact responsibility, respect and integrity are showing up as 3 of our key values for our future plans at Happy Valley.

The learning of life-skills is not easy, and often is as much about the lessons children learn outside the classroom as well as in.  Acting in a socially responsible way is one of these important skills and it can be heartbreaking for children when things go wrong especially when friendships are involved.

We endeavour here at Happy Valley to have structures in place which help our students with social issues, but no matter what we put in place, there will be occasions when children will be feeling unhappy, confused and not sure about how to deal with the problems they have encountered.

It's okay to use strategies like ignoring and walking way to begin with, but persistent social/friendship problems need adult help or intervention to sort out.

If it is school based business including school friendship issues it is best to let school adults work through the situation. We will certainly need family help and support to do this, but often we here at school are better placed to understand the whole situation, plus we have the experience and training in dealing with a variety of issues. The most important help we can have in the first place is information from families. Talking through things in a calm way is always the first step in solving any problem but if we don't know about the problem it's very hard to improve the situation.

Families need to encourage children to talk about their issues to appropriate school staff when things happen so that it can be followed up straight way, instead of waiting until children get home. It makes it much easier for the school to follow things up immediately, and it stops children worrying over night as to what might happen the next day.

If you have concerns about friendship issues talk to your child's teacher/OSHC staff, in the first instance and let them have a chance to work on the situation. This may create a prime opportunity for the teacher to work as a class or small group on a particular social problem etc.  The leadership team are always happy to help, particularly in cases where one-to one counselling is appropriate.

Your child confronting conflict might be a new and upsetting experience for your family but remember many others have had similar experiences. It has been my experience that 90% of social issues can be solved at a class/school level reasonably easily, and if more help is needed, then school staff can access the appropriate experts from our great team in the district office or other agencies.

Please remember that a "stitch in time saves nine" so it is better to talk through these issues sooner rather than later. Please talk to your children about this as well, and stress that school adults are here to help and intervene before things get out of hand, or "blow up".

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Staffing
We have a number of staff leaving at the end of the year and we have started the task of appointing new people. This now is a "staged" process that happens over the next term or so.

We now know that Lynn Reimann will be staying on, replacing Bob Beaton after he retires at the end of the year. This is a great appointment as Lynn already knows the school and the students well and has many highly developed skills.

Sandra Mousley has been appointed in the position that Tom Vercoe has had this year. Sandra has spent the last 4 years in Ceduna and has experience in teaching lower secondary classes as well as 6/7. She also has experience in teaching the performing arts and media studies which will be a great asset to the middle school team.

I will keep you informed about other staff placements as soon as I know myself.

Dress Code
Towards the end of last term staff noticed that some of our students were not abiding by our school dress code.

This term staff will be talking to students about compliance to this code and letters will be going home to families of students who are not choosing to comply.

Please remember that

• No logos or decorative trims should be worn

• The wearing of jewellery is not permitted except for studs and sleepers

• Tops should be bottle green or gold not black (including skivvies)
   

We would like to welcome our new Reception students who started school last week. The children are spread across 2 classes in Unit 4, three with Liz Loveday and three with Steph Kakoschke. Our new people have settled in very well.

Welcome Madison, Natasha and Brianna. 

Welcome, too, to Casey, Cameron and Cameron.

We would like to welcome back several staff members, who have been on leave in Term 2 -- Shelley Saunders, Simon Mueller and Trudie Petho. Welcome back also to Brian Pedler who will be in Tom Vercoe's class this term.

We had a fantastic day on Tuesday, with our very successful wheelathon.  Some of the children have written about the day below.

A very big "Thank you" to all parents who helped their child/ children to get their "wheels" to school.  Thanks also to Sonia Berry, Wendy Wright and Tracey Millington, who organised, set up and spent the whole day assisting classes and recording children's laps. Thanks also to parents who also helped with their children's classes.

Students should have brought home a sheet to let you know how many laps they completed.  We ask that all students now return their sponsorship money to school as soon as possible.  There will be two prizes, one for Junior Primary and one Primary, for the highest money raised.

About the Wheelathon - From Lyn Smart's Class
On Tuesday a Wheelathon was on. I rode my bike. I went around 39 times. It was fun. I crashed. I loved it. My friends were there. There were lots of bikes. Judy was there. People gave us ticks. We had to have our helmets. This was at school. There were lots of people. I rode well. My friends rode well. I went fast. Everybody rode well.
                                                                           By Olivia

Today I rode my bike. Today I rode around the track. I got 40 ticks. Today I rode very fast. I rode inside the cones. Today I got my shoelaces caught in the mud guard.
                                                                            By Jason

Today I pushed a trundle-wheel. It was on today. It was fun. I did 29 laps, and Lyn took some photos.
                                                                            By Trinity

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Today I rode my scooter because it was Wheelathon day. It was fun because I rode my scooter. It had my name on it two times, on the bottom of my scooter and the handle. I had a Bratz scooter. It was my early birthday present. It was in the morning. I brought my helmet so I could ride my scooter. I got 35 ticks.
                                                                          By Sharni

Today we had a Wheelathon and it was lots of fun and I got lots of ticks on my tag. I rode a bike. I did 36 laps around the course. I went fast and I had to slow down when I got a tick on my tag.
                                                                        By Tahnee

On the wheel-a-thon day everyone brought their wheels like roller blades and scooters.  Our course was around the netball courts.  We tried to do as many laps as possible.  We had a ribbon which got stamped to show the laps we had completed.  It was a bit harder than we thought on scooters and roller blades.  We had a great time.  We each managed 10 laps or more
            Braden W., Matthew D.,Thomas F. -- (Mr Draper Yr.4/5) 

On Tuesday 31^st July it was Wheels Day.  Students brought in all different 'wheels'.  Some students brought bikes some students brought scooters, skateboards and skates.  Bikes were the most popular wheels.  We loved riding our bikes but it did get tiring after a while.  Our scorers put bandanas on our arm that we marked for each lap we did.  Most bike riders got over ten laps.  It was fun.
                   Callie S., Claire D., Olivia C. -- (Mr Draper Yr.4/5)

At the wheel-a-thon, I rode a skateboard. It was pretty tough at the start but then I got the hang of it.  Jarrad and I were trying to land kickflips off the gutter when we got to the end of each lap.  I tried a heelflip off it a couple of times.  Towards the end my legs got tired and I slowed down a bit.  I did 9 laps.  I had fun.
                                                   Jake -- (Mr Draper Yr.4/5)

At the wheel-a-thon I rode a skateboard.  It was pretty tough but I made it.  I did some tricks on the way.  The wind made it hard because we were going against it.  I had a great time and that was the main thing.
                                                 Jarrad -- (Mr Draper Yr.4/5) 

Today it was wheel-a-thon day.  I rode on a skateboard.  I thought that it was hard but shortly after I sort of got the hang of it.  I thought it was fun though.  There were two other people in my class who were riding on skateboards.  They were Jarrad and Jake.  They also thought it was hard, but fun.  I also did a few tricks but not many.  I did a few laps but as I said it was hard.  If it wasn't for Chloee and Deayana I wouldn't have been able to participate in the wheel-a-thon activity as Deayana lent me her skateboard and Chloee lent me a helmet.  I enjoyed wheel-a-thon day today and wish I could do it again.
                                                 Anna -- (Mr Draper Yr.4/5

During next week these tests will be conducted for Years 3, 5 and 7 students. Literacy tests will be on Wednesday and Numeracy tests on Thursday. Friday will be used if necessary to catch up any tests with students who were absent during the main two days. Students who need support to complete the tests will be supported by extra staff in their class areas during the tests.

What a great start to our 2007 Pedal Prix campaign! 
Last Sunday 29^th July, we had a very early start, 7.30 at Victoria Park Racecourse.  With a great team effort from the parents and students, we had both the pit and mess tents up in about 20 minutes!!  At 8.30 Trent Smart took the students around the track, giving them hints about how to take certain corners. 

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problems all related to the age and state of repair of our buildings.

As I have said in previous newsletters we have the money, now it's a matter of "whittling away" at each individual issue as we go along. Of course we also need the weather to co-operate and only rain when we need to test each action!

You also may have noticed that the courtyard sail that was damaged in the storm has now been replaced with a one piece sail made from a more durable fabric.

We are still working towards replacing the large shade structure over the sand pit. This is a "warranty job" and the original company who built the structure are fabricating new pieces for the metal frame. The company was quite clear in saying that they have never seen a structure fail in this manner, so it really must have been exceptional weather conditions on that day.

Our school Music Night will be held next Tuesday 7^th August in the hall beginning at 7.30pm.  Our Choir students will be performing and also many of our instrumental music students, whose teachers feel that they have reached performance standard.  This will be a real celebration of musical achievement in our school! All parents and friends of the school are invited to come along and enjoy the night.

The Fundraising Committee is currently planning for our Quiz Night which will be held on Saturday September 22^nd in the School Hall. Watch out soon for booking forms and remember to book early as we have limited space in the Hall.

We are now looking for donations of prizes to be used for our Quiz Night.  We are especially looking for prizes to be donated from families with a business or those with contacts, who may be able to assist us in finding these prizes.  They could be goods or vouchers. We are also seeking support from local businesses. Committee members are visiting local shopping centres.  Any items, which we could use, would be greatly appreciated.  Please let us know if you can help, by returning the tear-off slip at the end of the newsletter, letting us know if you are able to donate and what your donation will be.

There are several projects in our school grounds that need to be worked on this term. We need to prepare the area next to Unit 4, where the OSHC buildings were, ready for paving. We also need to move the store shed in that area to near the Sports Canteen. We are looking for a group of willing helpers to assist with these jobs early in September. Date to be advised.

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Book Week will be celebrated in Week 5.  On Thursday August 23^rd, there will be a Dress Up Parade -- (we will advise you of the time later) and we will also be celebrating our Come Out Totem Pole planting.

How many books did you read for the MS Readathon?
Congratulations to the 35 wonderful students at Happy Valley School who are helping to raise money for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

When did MS Readathon finish?
If you started reading on June 1, then your reading time finished on June 30 over the school holidays. If you started after June 1, then your MS Readathon finishes four weeks from the day you first started. Even after MS Readathon, remember to always keep those books open, reading is lots of fun!
How to Return Sponsorship Money?
Parents should have recently received a letter from the MS Readathon team explaining how sponsorship money can be returned, so you can receive your cool Reading Rewards. If you didn't receive a letter or need another receipt book, please call 1300 677 323. 
When is Sponsorship Money Due?
To qualify for this year's extra competitions, please return your sponsorship money to MS Readathon by August 30. Don't forget to post your reading record and sponsor list as well as your receipt book. It will take a few weeks to get your Reading Rewards to you, so please be patient - Bosko will be very busy!

Thank you for reading and making a difference to people living with Multiple Sclerosis. 
Find out the latest MS Readathon news at www.msreadathon.org.au or call 1300 677 323.
MS Readathon: Inspiring Aussie kids to read to change the lives of Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis

Remember that school photos are tomorrow (Friday August 3^rd.) School Packs were received at the school last Friday and were sent home on that day. Children need to bring their envelopes, with payment, on the day.

Photos will be starting at the beginning of the school day, so could you please help us by making sure that your children arrive at their class on time. We would also like to reinforce that all children need to be in school uniform.  

For those children who will commence school in Term 4, the photographer will return next term to do photos for these children.

Payment of all Materials & Services invoices issued for term 1 and term 2 of 2007 are now overdue and any

accounts unpaid are to be forwarded to the debt collection agency this week. 

At long last, we have moved into the 21^st century and now have an EFTPOS machine in the finance office.  This will greatly improve the efficiency of payment processing.  Unfortunately, the school is no longer authorised to accept telephone or mail payment of invoices. EFTPOS is available to parents who prefer to use their visa debit card to make school payments.

Credit card payments can also be made via Bizgate over the internet from the school's web page.  The only necessary detail is your child/children's education department identification number at the top right hand corner of any school invoice.  Using this number, parents can make any number of payments on one slip, e.g. OSHC, school fees, sport fees etc.  

Comments from users of Bizgate include "Great to have an online payment option, thanks!" and "Thanks for alerting me to how flexible it is."

Soccer
Welcome back to the second half of the soccer season.

The Under 10s continued their good form with another win last Saturday.  Unfortunately, the seniors were well beaten by the top side in the division but everyone put in a 100% effort.

Senior primary players are reminded that the lightning carnival will be held on Tuesday 21^st August at Bowker Street.  You will need to be there by 5.30pm so that we can be properly organised for a busy schedule of games which kick off at 6.00pm sharp.  Please let me know beforehand if you cannot make it. 

The under 10 carnival will be held on September 8^th at Bowker Street.  More details will be provided closer to this date.

Gary Kite

Football
It has been a great 11 weeks of football so far with all teams having convincing wins. I have been very impressed by our 2/3's, who are all new to the game. They are showing the skills that they have been taught.

It has been good to see some parents helping out when the games are played at Happy Valley and I have been very impressed with the children's attitudes towards football this year, WELL DONE. The children who have been asked to play for the other team, have all shown great sportsmanship. Thank You. Other schools and the Panther League have praised Happy Valley for this sporting attitude.

SOUTH ADELAIDE have invited us to train on their oval next THURSDAY 9^th AUGUST. There will be training for all grades at SOUTH ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB starting at 4.15pm, allowing everybody to get there and finishing at 5. 15.  After

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this I am trying to get a BBQ organised for all who attend. 

Big congratulations to 6/7's as they made it into the Premiers Cup for the second year. This Saturday 4th August we will be playing Brighton Primary at BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL, which is off KING GEORGE AVE. All 6/7's must be, there by 10.30 am.  As for SAPSASA FootballI can tell you that we are playing Sacred Heart College. This game will be advertised to the players when I have been officially told about arrangements.

South Adelaide Mini League will be played this Sunday 5th August South Adelaide V Port Adelaide. All players must be at the gates by 12.45pm. There will be tickets for parents.  More of that on Saturday.

6/7's remember we play at Brighton High School Oval not at Brighton Primary School

I will be advising in the next newsletter what date Presentations will be held, and what Coaches will be required for next season.

Simon Brandenburg

• Thank you to everybody who returned their 'Showdown' orders for donuts early.  Response: Crows 130, Power 30.

• We have a new Slush Puppy flavour -- Lemon/Lime.  Flavours are all natural.  Colour and Slush is made of pure apple concentrate and water and even the cups are biodegradable.  Great news for the environment.

• In a few weeks we will be offering fresh tubs of Yoplait Hi-Lo Yoghurt.  99% fat free, high calcium.  Strawberry or Mango flavour.  $1:25 for 125gm tub.

• Meal Deal.  A flyer will be coming home soon for a special meal deal -- Fish, fat free Wedges, Salad, Tartare Sauce plus bottle of Playwater.  $5.00.

VOLUNTEER ROSTER
Mon. 6^th Aug.                Andrea C. & Karen E.
Tues. 7^th Aug.               
Wed. 8^th Aug.               Deb Zeugofsge/Merci Ynzon
Thurs. 9^th Aug.               Tracy Willshire
Frid. 10^th Aug.               Glenys Moylan/Richard Vinall
Mon. 13^th Aug.              Andrea C. & Karen E.
Tues. 14^th Aug.             
Wed. 15^th Aug.             Suzie Boyce
Thurs. 16^th Aug.             Tracy Willshire
Fri. 17^th Aug.

Helen King

QUIZ NIGHT PRIZE DONATION

I / We would be willing to donate a prize for the QUIZ Night on September 22nd.

The prize will be _____________________________

Name __________________________________      Oldest Child's Name: __________________________________

Signed _________________________________                   Date: _____________

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