Volume 4 -  20th March 2008
Week 8 .... Term 1

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
Harmony Day, Student Awards, Education S/Ctee. Parent Workshop, Student Leadership Council, Aust. Biggest Morning Tea, Science Activities, SAPSASA Swimming, Bethsalem Visit, School Fees, Canteen, Aquatics, Kookaburra Council, Entertainment Books, Wanted Signwriter, OSHC, Kooka Cafe, Sport, Parent Club, Community News.

Over the last few weeks school leaders in our school district have had the opportunity to be involved in some fantastic training and development sessions sponsored by the district.  They have all had the theme of "Schooling for the Future - Educating for Tomorrow's World".

We have had a variety of world renowned speakers and we also have had the privilege of hearing from some "home grown" talent.  We heard from a group of very eloquent students, from Reception to Year 12, and from a number of schools in our district, who spoke about what they want for the future.

We also have heard from a panel, comprised of one of Happy Valley's parents, Jennifer Whitehead, a representative of the business community, Ross Bensley (C.E.O. of Schefenacker), the federal member for Kingston, Amanda Rishworth, and Aneta Marovich, the Wallara District Director, all of whom gave their perspectives about the future.

These perspectives were as varied as the speakers, but some of the key points that schools need to take into account were that we need to help our students become

• Life long learners ("the day you stop learning is the day you become redundant" - Ross Bensley)

• Good at managing themselves and relationships with others

• System thinkers

• Creative and innovative thinkers

• Optimistic, as many families struggle through life, the number of unhappy kids is on the rise

• Able to get through the "great divide" as the distance between the have and have-nots gets greater

• Healthy people

• People who can put community good above the good of the individual.

This sounds very challenging for schools and families.  However then we had the "world experts" opinion which made things sound even more complex. The experts included Colin Power (ex deputy director of UNESCO and an ex parent at Flagstaff Hill P.S.), Steve Keirl (Technology lecturer UniSA) and Professor Yong Zhoa (Director of the Centre for Technology and Teaching Michigan Sate Uni.)

Some of the points that these people agree on were

• Creativity must be fostered in our students

• We have to teach our students to have strong ethics and values that can be applied in the real and "virtual" world

• Our students must learn about, and be able to have the skills to be able to participate in a global community

• They need to be curious and critical

• Be able to unlock the "treasure within" which is the inner learning voyage that we can all be on

Well, this is all very complicated and difficult for us adults to absorb and work on, however we haven't a choice, as the future that our children will move into will be a very complicated place which will be unpredictable, changeable and full of wonders that we can't even imagine yet!

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This Friday, March 21^st, is Harmony Day.  Harmony Day is an event held across Australia, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  

The major objective of the day is to focus on reducing racial prejudice and intolerance and to promote community harmony.  As this is also Good Friday, classes across the school will participate in Harmony Day activities today, Thursday March 20^th.  

Primary classes have had a Harmony Day assembly today, at which classes shared activities in which they participated during the day. Junior Primary classes will share their Harmony Day activities at assembly next Tuesday, in our normal assembly time.

These students were presented with awards in the assembly today.

For RESPONSIBILITY shown around the school Kayne N., Eden W., Deayana B., Chane J. and T.J. C.,

For excellent work in JAPANESE Jesse M., Abbie C., Eden W., Georgia B., Sara N., Timothy T., Lachlan P., Rachel M., Courtney B. and  Luke D., were recognised.

The Education subcommittee is organising workshops for Term 2. As mentioned in the last newsletter, we will again be running "Parents as Partners" during Term 2 and a flier is going home in the next days. Some parents have booked already so we are confident that the program will go ahead.

Please book as soon as possible when you receive your flier, as numbers will be limited and we need to organise resources for those taking part.

We will be having a workshop for parents which will be run by the dietician from Woodcroft Community Health Centre.  This will be held in Week 4, on Wednesday May 21^st at 2.00pm and will focus on healthy eating and will link closely with changes in school canteen selections.

More information will be published in the next newsletter and a flier will be sent home in the first week back at school next term.

The group has also decided to share information with parents through the school newsletter. The following "hints" come from Andrew Fuller who runs programs for children, parents and teachers. His book "Tricky Kids" is a great read. This is what he says on "Sleep".

"A good night's sleep (at least 8 hours) is essential for optimal brain functioning at school.  Memory consolidation occurs during sleep especially during dream (or REM) sleep.

Teenagers need as much sleep as children, partly because their brains are doing so much development.

Students who don't get enough sleep have to work much harder to do well at school."

Student Leaders are planning a range of projects which will give all students more options at school.  In some cases the project, led by the students, will raise money for charity.

These are two projects being planned by members of the SLC.

The SLC have been pairing up with partners to create a project.  We are holding a soccer carnival that will be held at recess and lunch in the hall.  It will be ongoing on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Each game will be for 8 minutes.

Declan B. and Justin K

We are preparing Wakakirri for Year 4 -- 6.  We are planning to have about twenty people.  We are going to have try outs if there are more than twenty people. 

Practice up and have fun.  We will perform at assemblies.  If you join we can guarantee it will be fun.  It will be held in term two.

Nicole and Jasmine

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Every week, parents in Gail Richter's class help to coordinate science activities in the classroom.

"We were changing the cabbage juice. This is Adam, Leila, Tyler and Kristy. We worked with Amy's Dad."
                                                                              By Leila

"This is Breanne doing some science with Roby. I am making some colours with plastic strips."
                                                                         By Breanne 

On Thursday March 13th the State SAPSASA swimming carnival was held at the Adelaide Aquatics Centre. Happy Valley had five girls represent the district and they all swam with distinction. Vanessa Kreslin was our only medallist, finishing third in the 50m breast stroke.

OUR SWIMMERS:
Eleanor Keizer -- 12 y/o girls freestyle relay
Vanessa Kreslin --11 y/o girls 50m freestyle,                             breaststroke and butterfly
Jordan Veale --13 y/o girls 50m freestyle & relay
Robyn Campbell -- 12 y/o girls freestyle relay
Laura Smith -- 12 y/o girls freestyle & medley relays

Vanessa with her Bronze Medal.

All Junior Primary classes visited Bethsalem Aged Care facility on Wednesday, when they sang a selection of Easter songs for the residents.  Some classes also made Easter cards or gifts to give to the people after the singing.

It was yet again a really successful activity, giving the children an opportunity to connect with some of the older residents at Bethsalem, and also providing an enjoyable activity for those people who live at the facility.

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Snorkelling was heaps of fun.  We saw heaps of fish; we also got to feed them.  We even saw a Gummy Shark.
                                                    By Robyn C. -- Ms Mousley

At Aquatics we learnt how to catch waves on the wave skis and paddle really fast.  We paddled on the other side of the reef.  By the end of the week we could all do 360 turns and master the surf.  We had a good time.
                                         By Justin and Shane -- Ms. Mousley

Bodyboarding was a great experience!  It was awesome to learn about the timing of catching a wave and when to paddle.  It was a really good feeling when you caught a really big wave into shore!  We learnt where the rips were, how to spot them, how to avoid them and how to get out of them.  It was a really awesome activity to do at Aquatics this year!
                                                  By Jordan V and Allison N.

Page 5

Canoeing was awesome.  It was so fun.  Our instructor was Penny.  She was a really good instructor who taught us so much.  She made us walk across all the canoes while floating on water.  It was great fun.  We also got to play gang up chasey in our canoes.  After every lesson we got to swim at the beach for about ten minutes.  Canoeing was so fun.

By Nicole R. -- Ms. Mousley
 

At Aquatics I did fishing.  We got with our instructor and went on the jetty.  We caught nothing on the first day and on the second day I caught a Puffer fish.  It died on the hook so we threw it back.  The next two days no-one caught anything but I enjoyed it because I learned how to fish.

By Josh C. -- Ms. Mousley
 

The 2008 Upper Primary Learning Community Kookaburra Council reps are Tyson S. and Lucy V. (Yr.5), Callie S. and Henry D. (Yr.6) Tom C., Bec M., Nicolle R. and Adrian V. (Yr.7)

Our first assignment is to make a friendship bench for people to sit on to make new friends when they are lonely.  There will be one in the wetlands and one near Mrs Higgins' class.

They are going to be really bright colours so they stand out.
                                    Tyson S., Nicolle R. and Adrian V.

Entertainment Books -- Worth their weight in Gold!
Purchase your new 2008/2009 Entertainment Book now.....it is the best Book ever.  $65.00

Happy Valley School Fundraising Committee is raising funds by selling the 2008/2009 Entertainment Book.  Entertainment Books contain hundreds of 25-50% off and two-for-one offers from popular restaurants, cinemas, hotel accommodation, the arts, and sporting events. There truly is something for everyone, with high value offers from Avis, Warner Bros. Movie World, Crown Towers, Hamilton Island and many more.

Order your new Entertainment Book now as they are sure to sell out quickly. When you order and pay for your book prior to Thursday 27^th of March 2008 you will received six additional vouchers worth $160.

To order your copy of the Entertainment Book, email your order to Andrea Roberts on info@happyvalley.sa.edu.au or phone 8381 7166.

We still have vacancies available during Vacation Care.  Please book your child/ren in if care is needed.

Roxanne Longbottom
Director -- 83222411 or 0417898 739.

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CONVENOR OF SPORTS COMMITTEE
Simon Brandenburg has accepted the position of Convenor for the Out of School Hours Sports Committee.  Congratulations Simon!  Thank you to Georgie Goldfinch for her long and dedicated involvement with the Sports Committee as Convenor and Soccer Coordinator.

HAPPY VALLEY SCHOOL NETBALL First practice for all teams will be held 3.30 -- 4.15 on Monday 31st March (week 10)  Could parents arrive a bit earlier (4.00pm) so we can have a chat before the girls go home.

Please bring a drink and wear comfortable running or court shoes.  If for some reason you cannot attend please leave your apologies at the front office.

See you there
                                                                  Wendy Nicolle

SOCCER
Registration -- These forms were sent home last Friday. If your child nominated for soccer, please ensure that a registration form has come home and that it is returned to the school before 28^th March.  I need these forms back so that I can confirm player numbers.

Thanks to those who attended the information afternoon on Tuesday which was also the first informal training session -- I apologise for the short notice.
Training -- There will be no training on the Tuesday after Easter.  Under 10 training will commence from Tuesday 1^st April under the supervision of Paul Martin and Sean Weller from 3.30-4.30pm.

Due to work commitments and the Year 7 trip to Canberra, senior training will commence on Tuesday 8^th April (last week of term) -- also from 3.30-4.30pm.

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We would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Easter and are looking forward to seeing you all at our next meeting on Wednesday 2^nd April at 9:00am in the Long Room.  All Welcome.
                                                  Cindy Kershaw - Secretary

ANNUAL CAMPUS FAIR
The Annual Campus Fair is on Sunday March 30^th from 11:00 to 4:00pm with an Auction at 2:00pm.  Signs are displayed around the district.
STATE SWIM - SWIMVAC
Classes available throughout the holidays.  Session times between 9:00am and 11:00am.  Phone 8386 3338 -- Seaford State Swim.
INDOOR SOCCER CLINICS
The Hub Recreation Centre -- Consent forms available from the front office.   Phone 8270 3900 to register or to obtain more information.  
SCHOOL HOLIDAY NETBALL CLINICS
Receive first class training from Adelaide's elite players.
Fun Net -- (5 - 7 yrs) Wednesday 16^th April, 9.30 -- 11.30pm - $20
Netta -- (8 - 10 yrs) Thursday 17^th April 10 -- 3pm - $40
Netball (11 - 16 yrs) Friday 18^th April 10 -- 40pm - $45

CONGRATULATIONS FROM ABERFOYLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

We congratulate the following ex Happy Valley Primary School students who completed their secondary education at Aberfoyle Park High School and achieved well in their Year 12 studies.

Students who received a Merit were presented with their Award at a Ceremony at Government House on Tuesday 12^th February.  We wish these students every success in their future.

WENDY TEASDALE-SMITH
Principal, Aberfoyle Park High School

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