Volume 19 -  7th December 2006
Week 8 .... Term 4

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue........
Reports, Yr.5/6 Camp, Non Uniform Day, Class Parties, Christmas Raffle, Parent Recognition, Final Week Assemblies, Principal's Awards, Last Week of Term, Our Friendly School, Resource Centre, Lost Property, Parent Club, Kooka Cafe, SA Dental Clinic, From Barb. Community News

REMINDER
Last day of school is Friday 15^th December 2006.
Dismissal is at 2:15pm.
Please remember that the 2007 school year starts on Monday January 29th.  However Reception children starting school for the first time in Term 1 will begin on WEDNESDAY 31st January.

FROM PRUE ROSEVEAR
This is the last newsletter for 2006 and I would like to say to all of the Happy Valley Community how much I have enjoyed my year here. The students and their families are very fortunate to have such a committed and caring staff. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with and I would like to say a huge thank you to them, our Teachers and School Services Officers, for all of the work they do to make student learning our highest priority.

Staff Leaving
There are a number of staff who will be definitely leaving at the end of this year and some who we hope will return but we're unsure at this stage.

Firstly to Barb Williams
As was announced in a previous newsletter Barb is leaving after 21 years. Barb has had an incredible influence on students both as a class teacher and with extra curricula activities, especially in the Arts. She has displayed a high level of dedication, commitment and professionalism with everything in which she gets involved including her different roles as a member of the Leadership team. Our very best wishes to Barb for her future.

D'Arcy Jones
It was thought that D'Arcy was leaving at the end of 2005 but an unexpected vacancy saw him return for 2006. D'Arcy has continued to display special skills with our Middle Schooling group and leadership skills in numerous curriculum areas. Best wishes D'Arcy for a desired appointment in 2007

Phyllis Carn 
Phyllis is leaving after 10 years as the Junior Primary teacher in the Library. Phyllis has worked with all Junior Primary classes and staff in Resource Based Learning. Our sincere appreciation to Phyllis and again best wishes for a great appointment next year.

Mardie Strachan
We have been so fortunate to have had Mardie at Happy Valley for 2006. As you know, Mardie took part in a teaching exchange with Doug MacLean and will be returning to Scotland after school finishes for the holidays. Mardie has contributed so much to our Junior Primary area of the school, and those of you who came to the Scottish Assembly last week, would, no doubt, agree. We will be really sad to see her go and are hoping that she will at least return for a visit in the near future.

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Just a reminder that student reports will be sent home tomorrow, Friday December 8^th. With the reports you will also receive notification of your child's/ children's teachers for 2007. Children will visit their new teacher for a short time during next week

On Tuesday morning the bus pulled out of Happy Valley with Mr Francis / Mrs Petho's and Mr Draper's students excitedly heading off to Wirraway, near Strathalbyn, for their class camp.  There, they are taking part in activities such as archery, horse riding, swimming, rock wall climbing and flying fox riding over three days. Enjoying each other's company and  learning  to  take up challenges that they may

Just one last reminder - about our "Non Uniform" Day, which is next Wednesday, December 13^th. This time, we ask that, in lieu of a gold coin donation, children bring a can or packet of non perishable food to donate to needy families for Christmas. As explained in the last newsletter, the Rotary Club collects donations for needy families, during the last week of school. This way the children can be involved in this collection. Any extra donations for the Rotary campaign can also be left at the Front Office.

Please remember, for Non Uniform Day, clothing needs to be appropriate for school and to be Sun Safe i.e. no tank tops.

Junior Primary classes and most primary classes will be having end of year class parties next Wednesday, December 13^th. Please remember that we are promoting healthy eating -- it would be great if you could include some healthy alternatives.

We have only a few days left until the Christmas Raffle is drawn. If you have not yet done so, please send along your donations for the hampers, according to your class theme.

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It is with great pleasure that we announce that Sandy Hutchings and Kim Wilson are recipients of the Happy Valley School Parent Awards this year.  At the Volunteers Morning Tea they were recognised for their efforts in supporting students through a variety of programs over many years Congratulations Sandy and Kim and thanks to all of our volunteers.

There will be two assemblies in Week 9
Our final Junior Primary assembly will be on Tuesday December 12^th, at 2.15pm. This will be a special Christmas assembly and all classes will be singing Christmas songs. Parents, friends and grandparents are most welcome.  
Please note the change of time.

Our final whole school assembly will be on Friday December 15^th at 11.30am. At the assembly, the school achievements for the year will be recognised, and students and staff who are leaving will be farewelled. Parents are most welcome to attend this final school event for the year.

Congratulations to the following students who have received Principal's Awards, for demonstrating our school values -- COOPERATION / LEARNING / COMMUNICATION / STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE -- Olivia Culliver, Nathan Clavell, Emmaleen Scholten, Connor Wright, Emily Doroch, Indianna Baines, Rebecca May, Justin Kite, Dale Sharrad, Jake Taylor, Shannon Gade, Isobel Wakefield, Angel Marston, Kate Moore, Laura Smith, Lucy Robertson, Allison Nash, Saghe Price, Nicole Robertson, Liam Goldfinch, Jordan Fowler, Tyler Rawson, Georgia Blanks, Ben Schofield, Emily Molnar, Dayna Wilkins, Adam Davidson, Jordan Paech, Kristi Grigoris, Eden Williams, Ashleigh Paterson, Taylah Low, Jesse Moore, Brendon Wilkins, Allison Nash and Jordan Veale.

During the last week of term there is a myriad of things to attend to.  Many classes are celebrating their final week with exciting activities both in and out of the school.

• The Community Connections Forum and Mrs Atherton's class will be presenting an afternoon of music and song to residents of Bethsalem on Monday afternoon.  Congratulations to those students who have volunteered to share their musical skills on recorder, violin, guitar, saxophone and piano as well as vocally.

• Mr Jones' and Mr Mueller's classes are going to Greenhills as a final excursion together.

• The year 5 & 6 classes are going to enjoy themselves at the Adelaide Aquatics Centre.

Please check our lost property located on the shelves adjacent to the Resource Centre.  Items not claimed by next week will be passed onto an animal shelter for bedding.

Thank you for the prompt returns of outstanding library books.  It helps stocktaking go smoothly.

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When being shown around Happy Valley School by the Principal, Graham Wasley, twenty one years ago, I could hardly have imagined that in 2006 I would be composing words of farewell to this wonderful school community.

This time has seen hundreds of students move through Reception into Primary and Secondary education and on to further experiences and even parenthood.  It is exciting to catch up with them from time to time.

Always I have felt a strong sense of Community and Pride in the school and I have often been warmed by the friendliness of students and their enthusiasm and confidence to be involved in any activity that is suggested.

That enthusiasm has been echoed in the families, through their amazing support of the school values, programs and events.  So many people have given their time and talents to maintain the rich and historical culture of the school.

From having horses escape through fences to graze on the oval, to discussions about technology and interactive whiteboards, we have moved together through different eras of development.

To all of the staff I say that the constant professionalism and collegiality has kept alive a challenging and lively professional learning community, many times of teamwork, learning, debate, humour and a strong sense of family.  My sincere thanks.

To all Happy Valley School families, past and present, my thanks for your support and very best wishes for the future.

And finally to the students of Happy Valley.  Today I wish for you to feel positive about yourselves and the contribution you can each make to the lives of others around you.  Whatever you do, and where ever you go, I hope that you know that you are each unique and you can achieve goals if you recognise and use your particular skills and persist through the challenges.  Enjoy your futures.

My thanks for enabling me to have such a rich and rewarding teaching and personal experience at Happy Valley School.

Barb Williams

Merry Christmas to everyone and a very Happy New Year. 

On Friday morning in the Uniform Shop we will be selling second hand uniforms - Fill a shopping bag for $2.00. We will be open from 8.30am.

Anyone who can help on Monday morning 11^th December to move the uniforms from the old building to the new one would be appreciated.

Wednesday 7^th February will be our first meeting back and it will be our Annual General Meeting.  All positions will be open and any new parents are welcome to join us for a chance to check us out and a coffee.  We will be in the Long Room.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

Karen Erlandsen -- Secretary

A reminder to put two choices of hot food and cold drinks on your lunch orders.  We will not be reordering as stocks run out at this late stage of the term.

• I would like to thank all my voluntary helpers both parents and students for their support this year.  Your help is very much appreciated.  I extend my best wishes for the future to the Year 7 helpers.

•  A new price list will be sent out next year due to increases in prices.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Regards, Helen King.

The Reynella South School Dental Clinic will be closed from 22/12/06 - 10/01/07.  For emergencies only 8.30am -- 4.30pm please ring Somerton Park 8294 4433.  After Hours Emergencies Only 8232 2651.
Opening times during school holidays: 10^th, 15^th, 17^th, 22^nd, 24^th of January.

Aberfoyle Park Baptist Church is proud to present Carols in the Park at Mandilla Reserve opposite Aberfoyle Park Baptist Church Cnr. Manning Rd. and Lyn St. December 20^th 7pm start.  Drinks, BBQ & Candles will be available.
Blue Dolphin Swim Centre Holiday Swim Programme.  For more information phone 8322 6566.

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