1.  Contents: General

Welcome to Happy Valley School.  We hope that your association with Happy Valley School will be rewarding and enjoyable.  We believe that the communication and exchange of information between family and school are of great importance.   The achievement of this will contribute towards the success of your child's education.

Your involvement is highly valued and the partnership developed between parents and the school will also be a significant factor in your child's education.

Happy Valley School has the following as its Core Values

• CO-OPERATION

• LEARNING

• COMMUNICATION

• STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

We hope that you and your child/ren adopt these as your own too.

We look forward to getting to know you, working in partnership with you and having a common goal of meeting your child's educational needs.

From the staff of Happy Valley School

Happy Valley School has a comparatively long history.

In 1852 there was a Happy Valley School but the exact location has not been determined.

In 1876 Happy Valley became a Public School.  In 1896 Happy Valley School was closed because of the Happy Valley Reservoir being built.  The original site is now covered by water.

A new school was opened in 1898.  During the next 60 - 70 years Happy Valley was a small country school, but it was obvious that urban development would occur.  In 1968 the Education Department purchased eleven acres in anticipation of this growth.  The original school is now the Kindergarten.  In 1980 a new building was built to the west of Education Road.  Enrolments continued to grow and peaked in 1991.  As enrolments increased additional buildings have been provided with the result of a building mix of solid, metal, timber and demac.

During 1986 it was decided to establish a Junior Primary School.  Since then the two schools have worked co-operatively together under the umbrella of Happy Valley School.  The establishment of two separate schools enabled the school to gain more educational expertise, an increase in School Services Officers' hours, better grants, but most importantly the increased potential for a better education for all children.

In 1998 the School celebrated its Centenary.  Late in 2000, the school decided to join Partnerships 21, starting in 2001.

Click here for more about the history of Happy Valley School

The early years of schooling are particularly important in laying the foundations for the child’s continuing educational experience.

Happy Valley School adopts the Department of Education and Children's Services'  First Years of School Policy which is as follows:-

Children enrolling in Government Schools have between 11 and 14 terms in Junior Primary classes.  Generally, the progress of children will take the following pattern.

• Children admitted at 5 years of age in February will have12 terms in Junior Primary classes.

• Children admitted at the beginning of second term will have 11 terms in Junior Primary classes.

• Children admitted at the beginning of third term will normally have 14 terms in Junior Primary classes.

• Children admitted at the beginning of fourth term will have 13 terms in Junior Primary classes.

There is flexibility within the Policy to allow for individual differences in exceptional cases, and to accommodate the DECS policy - Early School Enrolment for Gifted Children.  Those exceptions take into account the emotional, physical and social, as well as the intellectual needs of the child.  Variations to the normal length of time in Junior Primary School are decided on by the Principal, parent and teacher if necessary.

At the end of the child’s first year, he/she may go on with the same teacher.  

At Happy Valley Junior Primary School we have FOUR intakes each year.  Reception children are admitted on the Wednesday of the first week of each term. Children must be FIVE (5) on starting school.

The aim of the transition visits is to enable new Reception children to become familiar with our school and to meet the teachers and children. We place a lot of emphasis on our Transition programme so that the change to school is as smooth and comfortable as possible for both child and parent, and learning is continued into the school setting.

The programme is as follows -
Children visit the school on four Friday mornings prior to commencing school. Parents will be advised of dates.

• First visit: 9:00a.m. -  9:30a.m.  
  This is a Principal's tour of the school for parents and their children.

• Second visit: 8:55a.m. - 10:30a.m.
  Whilst the new child enjoys his/her first classroom visit, parents are invited to join other parents of new children and members of the Parent Club for a "cuppa and a chat" in the Long Room.  The child will bring home a Welcome Pack with all the necessary information that parents will need for starting at our school.

• Third visit: 8:55a.m. - 10:30a.m.
  After parents have dropped their child at the classroom, we invite them to meet with us in the Long Room to talk about school policy, general organisation and answer any questions that they may have.

• Fourth visit: 8:55a.m. - 11:30a.m.
  On this final visit, the children will stay until after recess, so parents are asked to pack some food and a hat.

First day at school on Wednesday:
After parents have farewelled their child, they are invited to join other parents of new children and members of the Parent Club for a "cuppa and a chat" in the Long Room. 

Uniform:
Parents are issued with a Price List and Order Form prior to their child starting school.  The Uniform Shop is open on Wednesday 2.45-3.45 and Friday 8.30-9.30 in Room T13, which is located next to Unit 4.

Should children be absent through illness or for any other reason a brief note must be forwarded to the class teacher explaining the reason for non-attendance.  It is compulsory for children to attend school between the ages of six and fifteen.

Please assist us by ensuring that your child arrives at school between 8.30a.m. and 8.55a.m. - late arrivals to school are recorded by teachers in class roll folders. We also ask that late arrivals are accompanied with an explanation note to their teacher.

Class numbers are based on the D.E.C.S. staffing formula which is 26 students for Junior Primary classes and 30 students for Primary classes.  In practical terms, some classes may be slightly over and others slightly under these figures.

During Term 4 of each year, parents are invited via the Newsletter to contribute information to be used in forming classes for the following year.

Staff then look at individual students’ needs considering the following -

•  Learning Styles

• Abilities and special needs

• Friendship groups

• Gender balance

• Separation of some students or keeping a group together

Parents are required to pay for a year's supply of stationery, curriculum fees (e.g. Art/Craft, Library, Society & Environment ), and other areas as shown in the school budget.  All these constitute what is called the  Materials and Services Charge.    We do not operate an everyday book shop.

It is expected that stationery and other materials will last for all of the year but it may be necessary for some children to purchase a few items.

The Materials and Services Charge is set by the Finance Committee in October and is increased slightly each year with children starting school during the year paying a  proportion of the fees, according to the number of months they attend.

An additional book loan fee of $20 is also charged.  This is refunded when the child leaves Happy Valley School, provided all books (e.g. atlases and dictionaries) have been returned in good condition.

This is a means tested scheme aimed at helping low income families and provides assistance towards the school's Composite Fee.

New applications have to be made every school year, preferably within 4 weeks of starting school.  Application forms are available from the Front Office.

We urge parents to apply before the due date to ensure the school receives the funding.

The Governing Council provides details of the school budget to parents in December.  This shows the anticipated expenses in all areas of the budget and the sources of the school income.  Copies of the budget are available on request from the front office.  The school financial year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

The wearing of the school dress code is required. The school colours are green and gold. The wearing of a hat is compulsory for all of the year.  The school has a policy of - "no hat – sit in the breezeway".   Details of the dress code appear below.

All students are to choose apparel from the following Dress Code

While some items are available from the bookroom, some can of course be purchased from stores.  Trousers and trackpants includes any long pants e.g. leggins.

With regard to sneakers, students are not encouraged to wear expensive high profile named sneakers.  Green trackpants may be worn all year.   The wearing of jewellery is not permitted, except for sleepers, studs and Medical Alert Bands.

The Parent Club has made it possible for parents to buy school uniforms at a reasonable price. These prices can vary, so a current list of all items and prices can be collected from the front office. The Uniform Shop, in Transportable 13, is open Monday and Friday from 8.30am. – 9.30am.

To minimise the chances of items being lost, parents are asked to name all possessions that are brought to school.  Parents and children are asked to continually check through the Lost Property  which is on the shelving adjacent to the Resource Centre.

At the end of each term all unclaimed/unnamed articles of clothing will be recycled within the school or given to a charitable organization.

The School Canteen provides lunch every day, except the last day of Term 4, and is open at recess and lunch times for  purchases.

Orders are written on the paper bags purchased from the canteen. The money is placed in the bag which is placed in the canteen tray in the classroom.  This needs to be done as soon as the child enters the classroom.  At 9:15 a.m. monitors take the trays from the classroom to the Canteen and at 12:30 p.m. the monitors collect the lunches and deliver back to the classroom.

Parents are invited to help in the Canteen. We rely heavily on volunteers to provide this service.

A canteen price list is available from the Canteen or the Front Office.

Our OSHC service aims to provide a safe and welcoming place for children to enjoy their time in a fun and stimulating environment.  The OSHC program is based in Transportables 13 and 14.  This is a quality facility with access to amenities such as fully equipped kitchen, wet area, ball courts, oval and playground equipment.

OSHC is open from 7.15 – 8.30 am and 3.15 – 6.15 pm.  OSHC normally opens on Pupil Free Days and School Closure Days from 7.15 am – 6.15 pm.

The Before School Care session fee without Childcare Benefit is $4.00 per child.  The After School Care session fee without Childcare Benefit is $8.00 per child.  Please note that these fees are subject to change, and were printed in December 2000.   Families need to register with Centrelink for Childcare Benefit so as eligibility for financial assistance can be assessed.

For more information please contact the Director, on 8322 2411 – OSHC direct line with answering machine.

Vacation Care is open from 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. each week day of the school holidays (except on Public Holidays and for a two week period over Christmas). Programmes for each Vacation Care period are available in Week 6 of each term from the OSHC or school office. The current fee for Vacation Care is $28.00 per day (including excursions), less Childcare Benefit.

Click here for more information about OSHC

We aim to enhance learning by building positive relationships between the home and the school.  We want our communication to be open and accessible.  We use many and varied strategies.  They are -

• Fortnightly whole school newsletter

• Class newsletters

• Diaries or Communication books

• Student Achievement Records

• Acquaintance Night/Information Nights

• Meetings

• Parent/Teacher Interviews

A whole School Newsletter is sent home with the eldest child in the family on every second Thursday.  These Newsletters are numbered and it is important that you encourage your child to pass it into your hands, as it is the main avenue of communication between the school and parents.  As it is an important means of communication, the school welcomes feedback on this Newsletter.  Teachers will also send class notices, class Newsletters or make Diary entries for classroom matters.  Parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers and the Senior Staff on any matters that concern or please them.

All Newsletters are posted on the School Web Site

Teachers assess student learning continually throughout the year. Teachers report to parents using the ‘Check This Out’ stickers in student work books, the Student Achievement Records, and teacher written reports in Terms 2 and 4.  All Curriculum ares are reported on twice a year. In addition, we have :

• parent/teacher acquaintance night in Term 1

• parent/teacher interviews in Term 2

• class newsletters and communication notes throughout the year.

All students have either a Communication Book (Years R-2) or a Diary (Year 3 - 7) to record homework as well as parent and teacher messages.  Parents are encouraged to record any reasons for student absences in the Diary.  The Diary should be sighted and signed by parents on a regular basis.

Currently there are many ways that parents can be involved in the school and with their children's education.

These include -

• Governing Council and sub-committees

• Parent Club

• Canteen

• Resource Centre

• Working Bees

• Classroom assistance - Sharing, hearing reading, working with small groups of children, helping on excursions/camps, assisting with computing and technology, helping in Activity, typing children's stories etc.

• Learning Assistance Program  (LAP)

• Co-ordination Program (Fun and Games)

Our Parent Participation Policy promotes and further develops the role of parents in our school and supports parents in school decision making processes.  Copies of this are available. We encourage parents to take part in school decision making.

The Annual General Meeting of the Governing Council is held in February.  All parents are welcome to attend. Governing Council meetings are held monthly on the Monday evenings.  Council is comprised of parents and staff, and the number of parents on a council must constitute a majority. In addition to elected parents, a Council shall also have as members the Principals of the school (ex officio), representatives of the school staff according to the approved enrolment scale, representatives of affiliated organisations, and in addition, for secondary and area schools, nominees of the local member of the House of Assembly and Local Government body.

Office bearers are elected for a one year term from members of the Council at the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting.  Positions include Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Minute Secretary and Treasurer.

Click here for more information about Governing Council

Membership of the Parent Club is open to anyone with children attending the school.

The Parent Club meets on the first Tuesday morning of each month in the Long Room and all parents are welcome to attend these meetings.  Each class is encouraged to have a parent representative that attends each meeting.  The committee arranges general meetings, fundraising and social activities and organizes the order and sales of the school uniform from the Parent Room in Transportable 13.  Parent Club also acts as a reference group for the school  and organizes School Photos.

Traffic congestion near the school is most acute in the morning and afternoon.

Children who walk home or catch the bus on Chandlers Hill Road should use the footpath on the eastern side of Education Road.  Motorists are asked to take care when travelling along Education Road and Chandlers Hill Road as there is a large number of children either walking, riding bicycles, or travelling by bus.

This area is for staff use only, during the hours of 8.00 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Only in special circumstances can parents use this car park, such as when their child has a temporary disability like a broken limb etc.

Outside School Hours Care parents have been given permission to use it 7.15 a.m. - 8.15 a.m. and 3.45 p.m. - 6.15 p.m.

The City of Onkaparinga General Inspector regularly patrols Education Road (particularly at peak periods) to ensure that drivers comply with parking regulations under the Local Government Act.

Parents are invited to be part of this scheme and can obtain information at the Office.  Children are encouraged to use the service if they are in distress.

The Safety House Co-ordinator may be contacted by phoning the Association on 8373 0818.

Happy Valley School has been assessed by the C.F.S. as NOT a high bush fire risk school.

The solid buildings have been assessed as Fire Refuge Buildings.

On "Alert" days - days of extreme fire danger in the Mt. Lofty Range Fireban District, the C.F.S. advocates school attendance by children.

On these days of extreme Fire Danger there are 3 levels of readiness carried out by the school.

Dental Clinic - Reynella South Primary School    -    Telephone 8381 2457

A Dental Clinic situated in the grounds of the Reynella South Primary School on Sherriffs Road offers general dental treatment to the students of the Happy Valley School.  The service is free but parents are required to transport their children to and from the clinic.  The clinic operates from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and is open through the school holidays, with the exception of End-of-Year/Christmas holidays.  An emergency service is available to patients by telephoning 8232 2651.   Recall notices are issued to children who have had previously attended Reynella South Clinic.

Children enrolling for the first time will receive consent forms which should be completed and returned to the school as soon as possible.  If you do not wish your child to receive treatment please complete Sections A and C only.

If a student suffers from asthma or similar medical conditions, an asthma form and/or medical plan must be completed.   As well, if parents request staff to administer medication, either short term or long term, a request form must be completed.

It is the parent's responsibility to update their child's medical information by upgrading the school's current information. This will assist us in responding effectively to any situations which arise.