Volume 3 -  6th March 2008
Week 6 .... 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, National Young Leaders Day, Strange Smells, Jun.Prim. Awards, Parents as Partners, Clean Up Aust. Day, Fees & School Card, LAP, Auskick, University of NSW Comps. OSHC, Kooka Cafe, SAPSASA Swimming, Sport, Parent Club, High School Info. Tear off slip, Vacation Care Program.

Once again we have had a very successful Sports Day. It is no wonder that Sports Day is listed as one of our school highlights each year.   The weather was perfect for the day (if a bit chilly in the morning), students participated well and families seemed to be having a most enjoyable time.

Many people work hard behind the scenes to ensure events like this run smoothly.  Staff, parents and students all "have a hand" in making the day special, but I would like to especially thank Scott Francis for all of his work in making the day flow so smoothly.

Sports day was a great example of our Happy Valley community spirit.

Another way of developing this community support will be the appointment of our Christian Pastoral Support Worker.

The panel who will appoint this person met for the first time this week.  Both Greg Andrews and Georgie Goldfinch are representing school families on the panel.  The position will be advertised Saturday in "The Advertiser" and interviews will be after Easter.  We are looking forward to this appointment as the person will be a pivotal resource in our Strategic Priority of "improved Wellbeing for students and staff".

While we are talking priorities a small group of staff are busy working on our Strategic Plan.   We hope that a draft of this plan will be available at the next Governing Council meeting for comment.

As I have talked about before with Governing Council and staff, it makes sense for us to continue to build on our work from last year around Wellbeing, Numeracy and ICT but we may not wish to commit the next 3 years (the DECS required plan has a 3 year life) to these priorities, so we are working on a "creative" solution which gives us scope for change and further development.

The Leadership Team have developed a framework in which some parts can be changed each year while the basic "big rocks" stay the same. Each year we will also develop an "Action Plan" to help with implementation.

By developing this plan we hope to be continually improving as a community of life long learners!

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Last Friday was Sports Day. All students participated in great sporting fashion, putting in their best efforts and making the day a real spectacle for all the parents and visitors.

At the end of the day the scores were Nicolle 1999, Mason 1954, Shepherd 1880 and Chandler 1821.

Lachlan J competing in the long jump.

Team Captains' comments:
Nicolle -- It was an honour for all of us to be voted to be a House Captain for Nicolle for 2008.  Everybody on the day did a great job supporting everyone.  In the end it was very close.  Nicolle won by 46 points over Mason then came Shepherd then Chandler.

Shepherd -- This year's sports day was the best one we had at the school.  We all worked really hard training the years' 3,4,5,6 and 7.  Everyone participated in every event and worked hard all day long.  All the teams worked hard and they all did their best and should be proud.

Chandler -- Even though we came 4^th our whole team pushed themselves as hard as they could and on behalf of all the Chandler House Captains we would like to say thankyou for your participation and teamwork.  We are proud of each and every one of you.

Casey W involved in tennis in the J.P. program. 

Jake D participating in shotput.

Mason -- Sports day was a great day.  It was a privilege to be House Captains for our last year at H.V.P.S.  We came second and are very proud of Mason for trying their best and not giving up.  We would like to thank Mason for their participation.  Go Mason!

Congratulations to all our students, but special recognition must go to the Team Captains for the way in which they prepared their teams and led them on the day. Well done!

Special thanks must go to Mike Lane for marking out the oval for the day, to Sue Higgins for coordinating the Junior Primary program and to Scott Francis for all the preparation of the students, and for the very smooth management of the day!

On Monday, six Year 7 students who are members of our Student Leadership group attended the National Young Leaders Day at the Convention Centre. They were involved in a range of self development activities and they heard from several high profile speakers -- Geraldine Cox (Founder of the Sunrise Children's Village in Cambodia), Jane Reilly (Channel 10 Personality), Troy Gray (Former AFL Player and Television Presenter) and Natalie Cook OAM (Olympic Gold Medallist in Beach Volleyball).

Each speaker gave our students hints and strategies on how to become better and more effective leaders. These are the students' reflections on their day.

'The day was great! I was expecting less but I found the day really fun and educational. I recommend it to all the future leaders of the school'.

Jasmine D   

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From left: Alex, Josh, Kate, Jasmine and Jaimee. Leah (absent)

Yesterday at about 12.15 pm a very strong odour invaded the school. While it was noticed in almost every part of the school, it was strongest in the Middle School areas -- Units 1 and 2. This caused students to be evacuated from these buildings leading up to lunch time.

There was an air-conditioning engineer on site at the time and the smell could not be linked to the air-conditioning system. Students were back in their rooms after lunch and we can only assume that a waste truck seen on the street at the time was the culprit!

A number of children received one of our new awards at our Junior Primary Assembly. We are now presenting awards to children who demonstrate one of our school values -- Respect, Responsibility or Integrity. The awards were presented to Holly W., Talissa M., Kiera A., Jacob B., Josh E., Olivia W., Rio T., Samuel W. and Vanessa O.

We will again be inviting parents to participate in the program "Young children's learning - Parents as Partners". This highly successful program, which has been offered to parents, will take place during Term 2. Parents have found the sessions really useful both for working with their own children as well as when they help in the classroom.

The program will include information about:

• how young children learn

•  the importance of oral language for young children's learning

•  becoming literate and numerate

• learning to read, write, spell

• how parents can support children's learning

The program consists of a series of 5 workshops. A flier will be sent home soon. There is also a tear-off slip at the end of this newsletter if you would like to book a place now.

If you are interested in attending this program please keep a watch for the flier and for more info in later newsletters. Numbers will be limited so please book early. The invitation will also be extended to parents of children who will start school for the first time during the year.

Our school did our clean up on Monday because the Official School Clean Up Day was on Friday and we couldn't quite fit it in with Sports Day!!

Gail Richter and some of her students clean up at the back of the oval.

Year 5/6 classes went along Greenbriar Road and Year 3/ 4 classes worked throughout the Reserve. The Year 6/7 classes cleaned up along Education Road.

It is amazing how much rubbish blows into and out of our school.   The  Reserve  was  full  of  recess  and  lunch  type   

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MATERIALS & SERVICES CHARGES 2008 AND GOVERNING COUNCIL APPROVED LEVIES.
These fees are now overdue and families with outstanding invoices have been sent statements for payment.  Please speak to the finance officer if you are unable to pay the outstanding amount in full, we are able to assist you with an instalment plan.

A Reminder:-  Governing Council has endorsed the policy that students will not be included in excursions/performances until their $45 performance levy has been paid.

SCHOOL CARD APPLICATION FORMS
It is essential that families who are eligible for school card apply no later than 14^th March 2008, otherwise the school misses out on the government funding and those families will then incur the legally enforceable fee of $185. 

School Card Application Forms need to be filled in every year.  Application forms for School Card assistance are available from the Front Office, the Finance Office or www.decs.sa.gov.au/goldbook/
                                       Andrea Roberts -- Finance Officer

If you are interested in hearing more about LAP (Learning Assistance Program) please join past and future volunteers at a morning tea on Monday 17^th March at 9:00am in the Long Room.
                                              Wendy Nicolle - Coordinator

We are hopeful that Happy Valley will once again become an Auskick Site in 2008. Unfortunately we were unable to run the program in 2007 as we could not find a volunteer to coordinate the program.

The coordinators role requires some administration work and the planning and running of ten sixty minute sessions for the children. A significant amount of support and a full program outline is provided to coordinators. 

If you are interested in becoming our site coordinator or are able to assist in delivering the Auskick program in any way, please contact Scott Francis at school. The coordinator and the helpers can nominate a time they would like to run the program but it has previously occurred on Friday afternoons.

Students in Years 3 -- 7 will bring home a letter about these annual competitions today or tomorrow.  The letter outlines how students can enrol for these competitions.
 

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Vacation Care bookings are now open for the next school holidays.  Please read the enclosed Activity Program. 

All of our school community are welcome to participate in Vacation Care activities so please come and see OSHC staff if you are interested in booking your child/ren into our program.  We would love to see some new faces.

We have again completed our Quality Assurance/Accreditation and are pleased to report we have achieved 'High Quality' in all areas.  A great effort again to OSHC staff, families and children.

Thank you to families who attended our sausage sizzle and AGM on Monday evening.  We welcome our new committee members and look forward to another successful year at OSHC.

Roxanne Longbottom
Director -- 83222411 or 0417898 739

A big thank you to our volunteers on Sports Day.  Your help was much appreciated.  Thank you also to all parents for your patience and understanding.  As you are aware, it was our first time.

Now available

• Choc. Weetbix Balls over the counter at recess and lunch for 5c & 10c.

• Pop Tops in Brekky Juice & Apple/Blackcurrant flavours for $1.20.

If anyone could help us out in the Canteen on a Wednesday, we would be very grateful for your assistance.

Andrea Chapman and Karen Erlandsen

On Sunday February 24^th the Southern Valley SAPSASA swimming carnival was held at the Sherriff Rd. Swimming Centre.  Happy Valley had five girls represent the school and their efforts gained them second place behind Flagstaff Hill P.S. in the overall standings.  As a result all five of the girls have been selected to represent Southern Valley in the State SAPSASA Swimming Championships at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre next Thursday.
RESULTS:
Eleanor Keizer -- 4^th breaststroke & butterfly, 6^th freestyle
Vanessa Kreslin -- 1^st freestyle, breaststroke & butterfly
Jordan Veale -- 2^nd freestyle & breaststroke, 3^rd 100m freestyle
Robyn Campbell -- 3^rd freestyle & breaststroke
Laura Smith -- 2^nd freestyle, breaststroke & backstroke

NETBALL
We are still looking for more girls to play netball on Saturday mornings.  At this stage we have enough for two very full teams of mixed years.  In particular we need Year 6's and 7's so we can put together three teams.

I will have an information / registration session on Monday 17^th March at 3:30pm in the Resource Centre.  At this session we will discuss practice times, coaching and any other questions you may have.

Wendy Nicolle

SOCCER
Based on the ages of the children who have sent in their nomination forms, we will be fielding an under 10 team and a senior primary team this season.  An information note together with registration and code of conduct forms will be sent out shortly -- please return these to me as soon as possible.  It's not too late if you are interested in playing soccer in terms 2 and 3 but have not yet nominated -- just give me a call on one of the numbers below and I will get information to you.  We still have room for more players particularly at the senior level for children born in 1995, 1996 or 1997.  Training details will be advised soon -- as always, support from parents is needed with this -- if you can help, please let me know.

Gary Kite Co-ordinator
8381 5820 (H) 0438 838 158 (M)

FOOTBALL
Once again football season is approaching quickly. All players will be receiving their registration form and payment form in the next coming weeks. On receiving the registration forms and payment forms, these forms and payments need to be paid by the 11^th April. Payments can be paid to Andrea at the book window Tuesday until Friday.

I am waiting on the coaches to give me the nights that all players will be training. 

Can all parents make sure that all the children have read the code of behaviour?

If children do misbehave at training or at the games they will not play for that day and if it continues they will be asked to miss games.

The first round for all grades will begin on the 3^rd May and there will be 15 Rounds. There will be Lighting Carnivals for 6/7's and 4/5's grades and I have also requested that the Panther League consider having a Carnival for our 2/3's.  There will not be any football games played on the June long weekend. (so you can still go away MUM and DAD).

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tackling and no bumping. The oval is set up into three sections giving all children a chance to handle and kick a football. It is all about the 2/3's learning the skills of football.  

If your child is in year 2 and wants to play, then your child can play football for year 2/3 regardless of whether he/she is turning 8 during the year, as this has been designed and developed for year 2/3's. Just remember that this is a developing and training team.

If you have not put your child's name down to play football this year please don't hesitate to contact me on 8322 3531or 0407798930. Any further queries contact me.  Look out for more information as the season gets closer.

Thank You
                       Simon Brandenburg - Football Coordinator

The Parent Club would like to extend a very big thank you to all the helpers on Sports Day with the Hot Cross Bun stall.  It was very successful.

Raffle Winners:
1^st         Tom Chapman
2^nd        Bellis family
3^rd        Fiona Doroch
4^th        Lionel Ratcliff
5^th        Jordan Veale
6^th        Andrea Chapman
7^th        Watts family

Please return to front office

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Name __________________________________                 Child's Name ___________________________

I would be interested in participating in the "Parents as Partners" program in Term 2.
 

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OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CAR: Vacation Care Activity Program.

 

MONDAY 14/4/08 CREATIVE DAY A chance to make your own "Swirlies", Shell Boxes & Mobiles	TUESDAY 15/4/08 EXCURSION TO ADELAIDE ZOO Remember Hat, recess, afternoon snack, lunch & drinks.	WEDNESDAY 16/4/08  PERFORMANCE DAY Have FUN putting on some of the old classic plays!!	THURSDAY 17/4/08 ELECTRONICS DAY Bring in your DS', Gameboys, Remote Control Cars!! Have a BUZZ game!!	FRIDAY 18/4/08 INCURSION 'SAM OSHODI' Go on an African experience!! Help make a drum from scratch!!
MONDAY 21/4/08 WELSH DAY  Learn about Wales –the land of dragons & daffodils.	TUESDAY 22/4/08 WHEELS DAY Bring along your bike, scooter, skateboard or roller blades. Remember No helmet = No wheels!!	WEDNESDAY 23/4/08 NATIVE AMERICAN DAY Learn how to make a Tepee! Learn more about these remarkable people!	THURSDAY 24/4/08 INCURSION "EMPATHY" Make your hand creams & lip balms. All products are organic!	FRIDAY 25/4/08 SERVICE CLOSED ANZAC DAY

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