VOLUME 14
7 September 2000

Ph: 8381 7166

Fax: 8381 6041
Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.schools.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue……..
Reviewing Resources, Gender in Educ.,Pedal Prix, Greenbriar Ave., Olympic Activities Update, Creative Olympics, Internet Workshops, Family Life,  Parent Club, Kookaburra Café, Diary Dates, Student Enterprises, Photos, Tear Off Slip and Flier.

We wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday – enjoy the Olympics, be they via the TV screen or in real life.  The students have explored the Olympic theme at length in all classes, so sitting back and viewing them should be a great pleasure for everyone.

SCHOOL WILL DISMISS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT 2.15 PM NEXT FRIDAY

Farewell to D’Arcy Jones and Tracey Ranaldo who are on leave until next year.  We wish them a well deserved relaxing break and look forward to their return in 2001.

Yvonne Ridge will increase her time to take D’Arcy’s class full time and Tracey’s replacement is currently being negotiated.

Congratulations to the team for their achievement and their hard work, which, by the rules of the tournament, had to be all their own work.  An outstanding effort!

“Cracking the Code”
(Issues of Gender in Education Conference)
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Carmel, Dana, Doug and I had an opportunity to hear world experts discuss gender issues facing students today.  Key points for discussion included:

• Specific issues of masculinity and how it affects boys’ success in the educative process e.g. “Not cool to be too smart within some peer groups”
• Diminishing numbers of girls taking up maths and science in secondary school and not using these as career paths.
• Literacy and behaviour issues relating to boys  e.g. Higher percentages of boys in time out programmes.

As we begin to examine the issues of literacy and behaviour, research studies suggest that a child’s view of themselves and how they fit within their gender has an impact on personal success.  Exploring gender issues provides students with a greater understanding of who they are and how they relate to others.
                                                                                 Trudie Petho

Pedal Prix
This weekend will see thirty-five students representing the school at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge in the Australian International Pedal Prix.  The students will pilot the “Valley Viper” and the “Valley Vortex” around the track commencing at 1.00 pm Saturday until the chequered flag falls at 1.00 pm Sunday.  So if you want to do something on the weekend, come up and support the riders in what is a very exciting and challenging event.

To all parents attending the race, please arrive by 9.00am as we have a meeting at 9.30 prior to judging at 10.00am.  A map of our general location has been forwarded home via the students.

The raffle was drawn this morning and winners will be notified.  A full list of winners will be published in the next newsletter.

All the best to the pedallers and see you at Sturt Reserve.  Happy Pedalling.
                                                                              Tatts

Acceptance of the proposal will be sought at next Monday’s School Council meeting – we invite you to join in that discussion.
Just to remind you, the proposed changes are as follows -

* An Emu Crossing before the first hump on Greenbriar Ave. (An Emu crossing only operates when flags are put out before and after school.)
* Entry and Exit from the carpark on Education Rd. will be at the northern end near the CFS.  There will be both parallel and right angle parking.
* Construction of concrete paths from the car park to the Emu crossing.
* Removal of the existing paths and bitumen not needed and area mulched.  The area at the corner of Greenbriar Ave. and Education Rd. will be mulched and tidied up.  There will no longer be an exit from the carpark onto Greenbriar.
* Because of the rules concerning Emu crossings we will lose three parking spaces on Greenbriar Avenue.
* The parking space on the southern side of Greenbriar will be designated a “kiss & drive” before school.

Olympic Activities Update

• Yesterday classes were involved in Finding Gold; a special seminar conducted by the Aberfoyle Park Schools Ministries Network.  The Program focussed on students seeing that there are more important things in life than winning or losing and that everyone is unique and valuable and can make a special contribution to the lives around them.

• This morning Gus Nathan, a member of the team that designed the Olympic Torch, gave an entertaining and edifying presentation to classes.  Gus brought along his prototype of the torch and two other guests Dr. Nicholas Procter and Bradley Mills who both ran in the Olympic Torch relay, brought their torches to show the full R-7 assembly.  Nicholas who works at the School of Nursing was recognised for his work with the mentally ill.  Bradley, who is disabled as a result of an accident talked about his relay experience.
  This assembly was an unexpected delight.  Thank you to Kathy from the kindy and one of our future parents, Ross McKinnon, for arranging this surprise visit.
  Please Note: Gus and Ross were selected as 2 of the 6 “Tall Poppies” of S.A., for their outstanding work in science.

• Kookaburra Council has organised for four Austrian athletes (we think!) to be here at a special assembly from 11.00 am – 12.00pm (we hope!) on Monday 11 September.  Students will have a whole range of questions to ask - and hopefully some of the conversations will include a little bit of German language!  You are welcome to join us but please be aware that the times could vary according to what other demands are placed on the athletes.

Creative Olympics
Next Tuesday afternoon, to celebrate the Olympic Games, which will begin just a few days later, we are holding our own Olympic event on the school oval – the Creative Olympics!

Immediately after lunch, the whole school will move to the oval for an opening ceremony, then the games will begin.  Each class has designed an Olympic activity with a twist, which they will participate in themselves first, then they will move on to try other classes’ activities.  There will be a separate circuit for Junior Primary and Primary classes around the oval.

We are lucky to have the loan of an actual Olympic torch during the afternoon and children will get the chance to hold this special memento of the Sydney Olympics.

To finish our Creative Olympics afternoon students will form a large outline of Australia and pass the torch around the group, symbolising the togetherness of our school in the Olympic year, and recognising the way in which the Games draws people together from all over the world.  This should begin soon after 2.30 pm.

We hope you can find time on Tuesday afternoon to come and enjoy the Creative Olympics with us.

Internet Workshops
Our Parents in Education grant, which we received earlier this year, has allowed us to run three ‘Parents in the Net’ workshops – the Internet, Web Page Design and e-mail.

A group of twelve parents has been participating in the workshops in our computer room, led by our facilitator Isobelle Brett.  The group has really enjoyed the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge, and they will not only be able to use the Internet more effectively for themselves, but they have a chance of keeping up with their children as their skills really blossom

Family Life
A date for your calendar!  Family Life will be conducting a Sexuality Education programme for families on Monday 30 October at our school.  The sessions are -
6.45 pm                   ‘How We Began’ for 7 – 9 year olds
8.00 pm                   ‘Puberty Clues’ for 10 – 12 year olds
The cost is – (includes GST)
1 session                              $9.90/family ($7.70 School Card Holder)
2 sessions                            $13.20/family ($9.90 School Card Holder)

Please read the flier included in this newsletter.

PARENT CLUB NEWS
Firstly, thank you to all those who kindly donated to our R – 2 Father’s Day stall held recently, and to all the children who came and bought something nice for dad. We had such a great variety.  We made a profit of around $200, which will go towards various projects we have on the go at the moment.  It was a great success!!

Secondly.. the Parent Club will be holding a Year 2001 Calendar Fundraiser during Term 4.  This will involve your children creating a
picture to be laminated and attached to a calendar for next year.  The calendars will sell for $10 each and would make great Christmas presents, especially for Grandparents.  Before ordering you will be able to view your children’s artwork and see how the finished product will look before you make an order by visiting the classroom. Order forms will be sent home around Week 3

We will also have our popular slice drive later in Term 4 in time to buy some goodies for Christmas.  Keep reading your newsletters for information regarding our Fundraising ventures.

Important Dates to remember:
The Parent Club Annual General Meeting will be held at 9.00 am on Tuesday 7 November 2000.  All are welcome to attend, and we especially look forward to seeing any new parents to the school.

The Parent Club Christmas Dinner will be held on Wednesday 29 November at 7.00pm at Yum Sing Chinese Restaurant.  We look forward to seeing lots of parents, class reps and teachers on the night.  We will need numbers closer to the date for booking.

Next meeting is 9.00am Tuesday October 3 in the Staff Room.