|
PARENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS |
This week we have had Parent Teacher Interviews. A large number of
parents have made appointments to discuss their child's / children's
learning. A big thank you to all those parents who have taken this
opportunity to meet with teachers. These interviews really enhance
our partnership in working towards improving student learning.
Last week we had some exceptional weather conditions particularly on
Tuesday morning. The storm front that came through that morning
caused considerable damage to our school.
We lost both shade structures. The sail in the courtyard was ripped
into three pieces and the large structure over the JP sandpit was
also damaged. We immediately contacted our building maintenance
service and the structures were made safe. Both of these will now
need replacement with improved structures.
We had some damage to 5-6 trees which was also unfortunate. Once
again we immediately contacted Zebra Tree Service who removed the
damaged trees. They then completed a full circuit of the school
grounds to check for any damaged or unsafe trees and removed several
more trees that they deemed a risk and trimmed some others.
We also had some panels on Unit 5 loosened and of course a number of
leaks in a variety of roofs across the school.
We appreciate parents coming in and mentioning problems but it is
standard procedure that after such a weather event that leadership
will evaluate the whole school area as soon as possible and call in
the appropriate experts when needed to ensure the safety of students
and school personnel.
The good part is that at least we can claim the expense of this
damage back from the education department rather than the cost of
repairs coming from our school budget.
Last Wednesday our Choir was assessed by Deb Hepworth from the
Public Primary Schools Music Society.
They score our performance on a 5 point scale (A-E) and we received
a B which means that similar to our school reports we achieved above
average in presentation, word knowledge and musical ability.
Four of our Choir members namely Alison J., Mystara H., Eleanor A.
and Vanessa K also auditioned for solo parts in the Festival of
Music concert series later in the year. They performed very well in
the audition so we have our fingers crossed for them.
|
Last week, May 27th - June 3rd, we celebrated
Reconciliation Week across the school. Some of Sue Higgins' children
have written about the activities in which they participated.
We went to a play in the Hall. The play was called Head Hunter. We
went to it because it was Reconciliation Week.
After the play we made friendship bracelets. The colours were red
for the land, yellow for the sun and black for the Aboriginal
people. After that we made the sea of hands. The colours were
yellow, black and red. They are the colours of the Aboriginal Flag.
By Phoebe B.
For Reconciliation Week we made hands and the colours for our hands
were red, black and yellow. We also made friendship bracelets and
the colours were red for the earth, yellow for the sun and black for
the people.
Saffron B, Phoebe B, Thomas W, and Nicholas S, plant their Sea of
Hands.
First we had to twist. To twist, one person twists one way and the
other person twists the other way. Then you have to fold it in half
then let it go but not the whole thing or else you have to do it
again. At the end you have to make a hole, then you put the two
knots through the hole then you put it around the person's hand.
By Sarah D.
Last week we made a sea of hands. It was very fun. I really liked
it and the Aboriginal colours are yellow, red and black. I really,
really, really loved Reconciliation Week and I loved it so much I
wanted to do more than one hand! I wish it would never end.
By Jake F.
On Thursday
May 17th the cross country runners ran on the Flagstaff
Hill cross country course. Before the race everyone walked around
the course, to see what the track was like. It was probably the
hardest track that people have run on. We raced most of
the schools around the Southern
Valley
|
|
SAPSASA
district. Our medalists were Tyson Sharrad 3rd, Caleb
Daniel 2nd, Leah Wright 2nd and Ben Richardson
2nd.
By Caleb Daniel & Tyson Sharrad
Rebecca
and Kiara feeling the strain.
|
T0URNAMENT OF MINDS SEMINAR |
Last week on the 31st of May, the Tournament of Minds team went to a
drama workshop. Half of the team went with Mr MacLean and the other
with Leah's dad.
When we got to the drama place we went and sat down in a big room
and waited for the other schools to come. When the other students
arrived we watched a short video on what Tournament was about and
things that happen during Tournament time. When the video was over
we were told what group we were in and where to go for our first
session.
We did drama skills activities. Our first activity was a game
called postcards. In postcards each group was given a place and we
had to be things that you'd see there. Our school was given inside
Paris Hiltons Jail cell. Once everyone had got a chance to have a
go we had to pick one for another school, we choose inside the
sewers. Once we had finished postcards we did entries into rooms
followed by little plays. Our play was about movie stars, in a
swimming pool, defusing a bomb.
After we'd showed our play we went back to the big room and did a
spontaneous question training where we were given tips on how to
figure out the problem given on the day. We had two questions to
figure out one about technology being advanced enough that we would
have to get rid of our noses because they weren't needed any more
and the other one was to come up a creative new ending to the Jack
and Jill song.
On the way back we went in the same car again and arrived just
before lunch time.
By Savannah B.
|
The TOM team at work -- group members Alison J., Leah S., Steph K.,
Robyn C., Savannah B., April B. and Kate S. pose for a "postcard -
inside a woman's handbag."
On Friday May 25th Happy Valley's girls and boys rugby
teams competed in a carnival at Glenelg Oval. The matches were 12 to
16 minutes in duration and tackling was allowed. Prior to the
carnival all students involved participated in training sessions
with experienced coaches and players to ensure they understood the
rules of the game and could tackle safely.
The boys' team took a while to settle and lost their first three
games but as their understanding of the game and confidence grew
they started to improve and won their final three matches to finish
5th overall. Dylan Angeletti, Dale Sharrad and Tom Hall
were invited to state training as a result of their efforts.
The girls' team had a wonderful carnival winning their first five
matches and making it through to the grand final. Unfortunately they
were defeated by Antonio College 16 - 24 but still collected the
runners up trophy. Courtney Nicolle was a star for the girls scoring
an amazing 11 tries for the day.
A big thank you must go to all of the parents who supported the
students and assisted with transport.
The girl's team and their 2nd place trophy
|
|
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL INVOICES AND
AMOUNTS OWING |
When using Bizgate for payments, it is possible to make one payment
that lists a number of invoices, OSHC & Vac Care fees and any other
amount. The ED ID number at the top right hand corner of an invoice
is the only information that is mandatory when using Bizgate. Keep
this number handy for future use. A short comment can also be
written if you wish. Bizgate payments are processed once a week and
school receipts sent home via the classroom or OSHC.
Egyptian Antiquities from the Louvre
At the Art Gallery we looked at the Egyptian Antiquities from the
Louvre. First we looked at Re the Lord of Heaven and the God of the
Sun. We learnt the five ways of the symbols of the sun.
After that we looked at some of the cases the mummies go in. All of
the cases had very good patterns on them which had all the Gods or
Goddesses.
We then looked at some Ushabti which had patterns chipped out of
them. I found the patterns very interesting to look at.
We looked at the canopic jars into which they put the body parts.
The human headed one guards the liver, the Baboon guards the lungs,
the Falcon guards the intestines and the Jackal guards the stomach.
We then looked at a mummified cat which looked really weird and it
was so small. Our guide then told us that there is a real human
body part which has been mummified in the room.
We looked at the book of the dead which had spells, charms and
blessings written in Hieroglyphics.
By Allison - Year 6.
We moved into the museum to see the Aboriginal Artefacts and about
when the Aborigines got the chance to vote. We got our bags from a
box and set off to the Central Market.
We got to the market and split into groups. I was in Mrs Atherton's
group. I had a pie and a drink. I shared my money and drink with
Jordan.
By Jaimee W - Year 6
Miss Beavis, the student teacher in Mr Beaton's class organised a Hunger
Banquet on the 5th of June. We held this Hunger Banquet in
the Hall. The Hunger Banquet was held to show how unfair the world is.
Miss Beavis has been teaching Mr Beaton's class about poverty, fair
trade, basic needs and natural disasters. |
Mr Beaton's class randomly put the students, parents and teachers
into three groups. These three groups are the low income, middle
income and the high income.
The low income group represented 55% of the world's population, sat
on the floor and only got rice. The middle income group has 30% of
the world's population and sat on a chair and got rice and
vegetables. The high income group has 15% of the world's population
and sat at tables and chairs and got rice, vegetables and chicken.
Mrs Whisson's class, the Principal, Mrs Miller and Mr MacLean
attended and we had parents to help. We had a gold coin donation
which will go to Oxfam Aid Abroad. We raised $53.00.
We would also like to Woolworths, Old Reynella for donating the food
and materials to us.
By Nathanael H.
The low income group
The middle income group
The high income group |
|
A number of children received Program Achieve awards at this week's
assembly. These people were Jules M., Tyler S., Celine P., Myles M.,
Daniel B., Amy S., Cassandra J., Matthew S., Monica M., William B.,
Hayden K. and Adam R. Congratulations to all these people.
We will be having a school Disco in Week 8, on Friday June 22nd,
in the School Hall. A number of students will be helping with the
planning and organising. We would really appreciate help from any
parents who are available on the night.
The times will be:
Year Level:
Reception -- Year 3: 6.00 -- 7.15pm
Year 4 -- Year 6: 7.30 -- 9.00pm
Year 7: 7.30 -- 9.30pm.
Tickets will be on sale during the week prior to the night, outside
the Resource Centre. More information will be sent home soon.
The dilemma of whether children are able to swap or trade cards (eg
collector's cards) has again been raised, especially by parents of
younger children. The school decided a couple of years ago that
cards can be traded by children only one year level up - that is, a
Year 4 can trade only with Year 3 or 5 students. Trading can take
place only on the tables in the area outside Helen Whisson's room.
There is to be no trading between or with Junior Primary children.
It is football season and students love to get out on the oval to
kick the football around. However, in their enthusiasm, they often
forget the no-tackling rule that we have to have, and students get
clothing damaged and they sometimes get hurt. Classes have been
reminded about the no-tackling rule and they have been told that
there will be consequences -- usually a Yard Time Out -- if they
tackle others during the playground game.
ICE CREAM
CONTAINERS NEEDED
We still need more 2 litre ice cream containers in white or royal
blue. No lids please. If you have any you would like to donate,
please forward them to the Resource Centre. Thank you very much.
SECOND
HAND BOOK & VIDEO SALE
On Thursday 5th July the Resource Centre will hold a
second hand book and video sale. Items can be purchased between
8.30am -- 9.00am and at lunch-time 1.00pm -- 1.30pm. All welcome! |
Thank you to the Parent Club who kindly donated funds to purchase a
DVD recorder and TV for the purpose of recording free to air
television programs which will be used in the classrooms. We are
converting to the use of DVD's (instead of VCR) because they can be
used with the smart boards in the classrooms.
Regards - Judy, Lyn & Denise
|
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FUNDRAISER |
There are only two 2007/2008 Entertainment Books left. Be quick as
we are not ordering any more. This has been a very good fundraiser
for the school, thank you to all parents who have purchased them.
|
PRELOVED CLOTHING FOR FRONT OFFICE |
We are running very low on girl's underpants sizes 4-6 and 6-8.
Also socks in various sizes. If you have any in good condition and
are prepared to donate them, we would be very grateful.
Girls' Netball
The Year 2, 3, 4 netball team has improved so much! On Saturday they
played Coromandel Valley. Happy Valley scored 3 to Coromandel's 4.
-
Don't forget to return your purple form to
order on the Special Lunch Day Wednesday 20th June.
Orders are to be back by Friday 15th June with
money. A form was sent home with every student three weeks
ago. If you have misplaced yours, pick one up from the Canteen.
-
A big thank you to the six students who made
posters for the Special Lunch Day -- Chloe S, Isabella S, Chloee
P, Saghe P, Jasmine D, and Katelyn S,. They have received
something from the Canteen for their efforts.
-
We have Nachos with salsa, cheese, sour
cream, sweet chilli sauce or plain.
-
Also available for cold days -- Chicken Yiros
Wrap with lettuce, tomato or BBQ sauce. If you would like sour
cream and sweet chilli sauce, add an extra 40c to the order.
|
