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Ph: 8381 7166
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Inside
this issue… |
Welcome
and Staffing With classroom learning themes like the Federation, activities such as the Readathon fundraiser, and formalities such as reports and interviews, Term 2 looks to be another exciting and busy one. We welcome everyone back and especially welcome our new families. Sue
Higgins, one of our junior primary teachers has unfortunately had to take
sick leave and her replacement is Glenys Thomson whom we warmly welcome to
Happy Valley. Many of you would be interested to
know that Brian Young who has been on extended leave, has recently
retired. He is very happy with this decision.
While on leave, Brian spent many hours developing and maintaining
our school’s outstanding web site.
Please visit it if you haven’t already done so – it advertises
and promotes our school in a most positive way and through it we have
interstate and overseas people who are looking for a school in this area,
contacting us. Brian wants to
continue this work in his retirement.
Brian has enjoyed a long career with the Department spanning over
35 years and we wish him a very happy and long retirement. Brian
will have ‘farewell’ drinks with staff and parents after school next
Friday 11 May. He will be in
the computer room from 3.00 pm so we invite parents wanting to wish him
well, to join him there, and then at drinks. Many of you will remember Ellen Miller who left us at the end of last year. She has also happily retired and looks forward to a life after teaching.
PARTNERSHIPS PLAN 2001 – 2003
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Page 2
Congratulations Parent Club State Tests 2001 Information about these tests has been sent home to parents of Years 3, 5 and 7, with this newsletter.
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A
School Without Volunteers Our school depends so much on the volunteers who are involved on a daily basis. Without them, some programs wouldn’t run, others would not be nearly as effective. Teachers would find it much more difficult to cope with their work, while students would simply miss out on a lot of the valuable help and experiences they get now. The school and the learning program would be that much poorer without our volunteers. In this ‘Year of the Volunteer’ we would like to acknowledge the great work done by our volunteers. Many volunteers help students with their learning, in a hands-on way, by helping in the classrooms, listening to reading, supporting computer lessons, offering to be LAP volunteers one to one with students. This work is vital in the learning development of all students. Other volunteers work on committees, including the Governing Council, to assist in the running of the school. They help ensure that the school meets the needs of the students and they act as a critical link between all the parents and the school. This work is vital to the smooth running of the school. Still other volunteers run the special, additional programs that are so important to our students – the wide variety of sports offered and the Pedal Prix project. |
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| These
programs are vital in giving students a broad and balanced learning
environment.
Still more volunteers work in the school canteen to ensure that
it provides an efficient, organised service that caters for all
students.
The canteen is a vital part of our healthy meals and snacks
program, while helping students with very important life skills –
handling money responsibly and learning to relate to customers and
clients in an effective way.
Finally, there is a volunteer who we wish to single out, who has been vital to the development of our student computing program. Kevin Jesshope, a parent of the school, has given hours and hours of his time to the development of our computer network. He has set up hundreds of folders on the network for student and school use, established back up systems, assisted with repairs and trouble shooting and has helped with the maintenance of our system. Kevin’s work has been vital to the development of Information Communication Technology in our school, and we sincerely thank him. We thank all volunteers who have worked and continue to work in our school and we salute all that you do!
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University of NSW Competitions
Quite a number of students have entered the University of New South Wales Primary Schools Competitions, which will take place this term. For your information here are the dates for each competition and our coordinating teachers.
High Expectations of Schools … We’re now seeing in the media many more reports on educational and social issues that directly relate to schools. These reports range from people giving opinions on what schools should or should not be teaching to how all of society’s problems could be solved through the curriculum. Some of the reports are supportive of schools and teachers’ work and some are not. The reports strongly indicate how busy schools are and how schools are expected to cover almost everything these days. Of course schools can’t do that! Nor should they be expected to. Schools can focus on developing the essential learnings; the tools that students need to think effectively, feel good about themselves, work effectively with others, communicate, and feel optimistic about how they can shape their futures. We hope that when you read, see or hear these media reports, you reflect on the goals and directions of Happy Valley School, and that you feel informed enough to know how your child is learning, what he/she is learning and how the school is being managed. Attending Governing Council meetings, information sessions, reading the newsletters and participating in your child’s learning are some ways to become better informed. Society’s high expectations of schools can only be met by high levels of support. This support is not just about much needed realistic funding for schools; it is also about parents working in partnership with teachers to find the myriad of means by which students can learn what they need to sustain happy lives. We feel comforted to know that in the Happy Valley School community, we have a high level of understanding of these needs. |
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| SAPSASA
News
The end of Term 1 was very busy with the selection of teams, practising in basketball and netball and some matches. Results of the SAPSASA basketball played in the last week are:
Many thanks to David and Leanne Hirlam, Helen Gilbertson and Melissa Braham for coaching our teams so well and to all our players and parents who assisted. This
term we have an early start to the Knockout Competitions.
By the end of Week 2 (May 11) we will have played the first round
in Girls Netball, Girls Soccer and Boys Football, Boys Netball and Girls
Football to commence by the end of week 3 (May 18) and Boys Soccer to
commence by the end of week 4 (May 25).
The respective sports coaches/coordinators are busily organising
their teams and notices. The
State Cross Country running day is earlier this year, on Friday June 15.
There is a lot happening over the next few weeks in SAPSASA so
any support you could give to our school teams would be greatly
appreciated. Reports and Interviews Play Chess! Pupil Free Day Report Teachers came away feeling challenged and excited about their role to ensure our children and young adults continue to love learning and be inspired by new knowledge and processes that they can become involved in. Glenn covered areas such as brain theory, multiple intelligences, self- esteem, learning styles, communication strategies and change dynamics, all of which linked in with what we are doing in our classrooms but we felt even more inspired and enthused after being with Glenn all day. It was a great day. You’ll find Glenn’s web site on the “teacher links” page on our website. |
Slapped
Face Disease (also known as Fifth Disease or Parvo virus) Parents may be aware that some students have had Slapped Face disease lately and it may spread to others. It is a mild disease, and students are not required to be excluded from school. It affects each person differently. Although it is contagious prior to the rash coming out, it can be difficult to know if the child has it or not. Please see the latest information enclosed, obtained from the Department of Human Services. They are happy for you to contact Karina on 8226 7177 if you have any queries.
Parent
Club News It was a long and drawn out process but without the help of Di and Brian (admin), the Environment Committee (for their kind donation), Vicki (photos), my husband Eric, and children Travis and Vanessa (painting), all the Parent Club members for their patience, the builder Jeff Sullivan (Wood and Logs), and of course without the generous support from the teachers, and the families and friends of the school through fundraising, this project would not have happened. Thank you all …. A job well done. Sharon Kreslin (Secretary, Parent Club) |
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| We
hope the holidays were relaxing and that everyone is back and ready for
another 10 weeks of school!
Just a reminder to all Junior Primary families that the Mother’s Day stall will be held next Tuesday, so please be sure to get your donations in before then. Later this term we will hopefully have a sock and sticker fundraiser, so keep a look out for information regarding this soon. The Uniform Room is open from 8.30 am to 9.30 am Monday and Friday. There are heaps of new and secondhand uniforms for sale. Also we have second hand books at the moment for sale from 20c to 50c. SPECIAL PROMOTION MONTH – Nutri Metics is having a promotion for the month of May and will be selling their lipsticks and nail polish for $10 each (instead of the usual $24.50). There will be a catalogue in the Uniform Room on Monday and Friday mornings during May for you to place an order. All orders must be paid for in advance. Parent Club will gain $1.50 from each lipstick or nail polish sold, so if you need some new makeup supplies, hurry in for these bargains and help the school at the same time. If you have any queries contact Parent Club President Sandy Hutchings on 8381 7394. Outside
School Hours Care FOR
SALE Roxanne Longbottom Ph. 8322 2411 Sport News NETBALL – Shooting Stars Under 11 team URGENTLY requires one more player. Please contact Glenda Smith on 8381 9311. |
COMMUNITY NEWS Flinders Medical Centre – free community lecture on ‘The Ageing Brain – New Directions in Parkinson’s and Alzheimber’s.’ Wednesdy 9 May. Fore more information contact Jo Collins on 8204 4949 or see the poster on the community notice board. Flagstaff Hill Netball Assoc. A.G.M. Monday 30 July at 7.00pm at the Flagstaff Hill Sports Centre. All members are requested to attend. Australian Girls Choir – Rehearsal venues are located at Kensington and Glenelg. Phone 8271 1622 or Website www.ausgirlschoir.com.au
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