Volume 12 -  14th August 2008
Week 4 .... Term 3

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Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
World Vision Assembly, Music Night, Junior Primary Awards, Chandlers Hill Kindergarten, Chaplain's Corner, Maths at Home, Family Life SA., Fundraising, Pedal Prix Kuitpo Ride, Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare, Kookaburra Cafe, Parent Club, OSHC., Sport,

Recently Judy and I had the pleasure of attending the South Australian Primary Principals Annual Conference. During the two days we examined the new developments in brain-science and it was fascinating to listen to the key speakers Professor Martin Westwell and Dr. Jonathon Sharples.

They de-bunked what they called neuro-myths and provided wonderful insights into how the brain works and learners learn.

Here are a few snippets of information from their workshops

• We are all born with about the same number of brain cells but what makes us smarter is the number of connections between the cells and the strength of these connections

• These connections grow in response to experiences and stimulating environments

• Research has demonstrated that children who are exposed to violent computer games are 20 times more likely to engage in anti social behaviour

• Violent environments (either virtual or real) change the way your brain works and how you think

• Surgeons who are "gamers" (non-violent of course) are much more likely to be faster and make less mistakes as the gaming environment has taught their brain to be quicker at assessing information and acting accordingly

• We create our own "mental limitations" in reaction to what we perceive in our environment -- if you think that you can't do then of course you won't!

•  Intelligence is mostly influenced by effort -- put the effort in and you will grow connections in your brain

• Effort and difficulty are part of learning so to be an intelligent person you need to persevere

• Natural "blue light" is very important in keeping our brain awake and alert. Yellow artificial light doesn't help with this so learners need lots of natural light

• Children need to develop their "executive functions" to be successful learners. That means skills like listening, controlling thoughts and actions, attention span, being able to quickly shift from one thing to another and being able to "inhibit/ignore" thoughts and actions. These can all be taught from an early age, and the ability to do these things at the age of 5 are strong predictors of academic success.

• Our emotions influence learning.  People who are anxious, worried, upset or angry don't learn effectively

These were just a few "pearls of wisdom" that we picked up over the two days of workshops.

The idea of what you think of yourself and your ability to stick with a task even when it gets tricky or boring influence how the pathways in your brain develop was repeated a number of times.

As Winston Churchill said "success is the ability to go from one failure to another without losing enthusiasm!"

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On Tuesday of Week 3, four members of the Student Leadership Council organised an assembly with a guest speaker from World Vision.  Here is their report --

On Tuesday the 5^th of August five year 7 students held a special World Vision assembly to tell the students all about the 40 hour famine.  We had someone called Kieran come and talk about child labour in India and how we can help.  He explained how doing the 40 hour famine will help children in India and told us some of the things we could give up for 40 hours.

Just a reminder to children that if they want to do the 40 hour famine they have to bring their notes back and we will give them a book.  If this weekend is not a good time to do it, you can do it next weekend or the weekend after.

Jaime W.
On behalf of the Student Leadership Council

We have many talented music students in our school who sing and play instruments and our Music Night is an opportunity for them to show off their talent.  The night will be on the 27^th August, commencing at 7pm in the school hall. Our School Choir will perform as well as many of our Instrumental Music students. We are looking forward to the night and hope to see you there.

At our Junior Primary assembly this week, a number of children were presented with awards for demonstrating one of our school values -- Respect, Responsibility or Integrity. The people who received the awards were Jules M., Bailey F., Tyson W., Annalise S., Kyra M., Ashton B., Kayla M., Jared F., Harry S., Brooke S., Michael C., Hayden K., Sophie D., Jordan M. and Sarah T. Well done to all of these people.

As reported with very deep regret to the Governing Council members and families last week, Chandlers Hill Kindergarten will be a half time site from January 2009.  This is due to a decline in the number of children enrolled and attending.  There are sufficient children enrolled to employ three staff members but we won't know who until late this year.  We should know the days/times on which the site will be open by this September. 

Further to my article in the last newsletter, I have included more mathematical ideas for you to work on at home.

• Make My Target Number?  Play with a partner or a small group.  Write down the numbers 1 to 9.  In turn, select a target number, e.g. 65.  The object of the game is to be the first person to use three of the numbers written down to make the target number using addition or multiplication or both.  A number can only be used once.  Each person must record their equation, e.g. 7 x 8 + 9 = 65.  The first person to write down a correct equation wins that round.

• Take One or Take Two  Put out 11 blocks in a row between two players.  In turn, remove one or two blocks at a time.  The object of the game is to make your partner pick up the last block.

• Tossing a Coin Ask, 'How many times do you think a coin will land on heads if you toss it 30 times'?  Write down your guess.  Test your guess and record how the coin lands.  Compare results.

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• Weather Chart  Keep a weather chart.  Older children can record weather conditions and daily temperatures from the newspaper and graph the results over a month.

• Dice Games  Throw a dice and have children multiply them together to reinforce times tables.  Throw two dice and have children add the numbers and multiply the total by 1 to 12 to reinforce times tables.  Throw three or four dice and have children record the largest and smallest numbers they can.  After a number of throws, have children order all the numbers from smallest to largest.

Carol Atherton -- Primary Maths Coordinator

Family Life SA will be visiting our school on the evening of Monday 25^th August to conduct sexuality education sessions for families.

The "How We Began" session for Years 2 to 4 will begin at 6:45pm.

The "Puberty Clues" session for Years 5 to 7 will begin at 8:00pm.

Please find enclosed a program with further details of the evening.

Wheel-a-thon
We would like to say a huge Thank You to our community for your support with the Wheel-a-thon. Our thermometer is now up to $2,400! Prizes have been presented to the highest Junior Primary money raisers. Congratulations to Travis P., Dechlan H., Samuel W. and India H. Our highest primary winner is yet to be presented with a prize, as there was no primary assembly this week. Watch this space.

Cookie Dough
After a slight delay, we now have the brochures for the next fundraiser, the Billy G's Gourmet Cookie Dough. This dough has been highly recommended by a number of parents. Please check out the coloured brochures when they come home. There is a prize program for the children as well. Orders and payments need to be in by Wednesday, September 3^rd, and delivery is Friday September 12^th, at this stage.

Quiz Night
We have set our Quiz Night for Saturday October 25^th. This is at the end of Week 2 next term, and will be in the School Hall. Put this date in your diaries now and start organising your groups to book a table. Bookings will open in a couple of weeks. We are asking local businesses for support in donating  prizes,  but  we  will  also  be  asking  our  school

community as well. We hope to have a wine auction but will also need quite a large number of prizes for winning tables, raffles, pop sticks, etc. If you are able to donate, we would love to hear from you. More information will follow. Many thanks.

Judy Davies (on behalf of Fundraising Committee)

We will be meeting out the front of Kangarilla Oval at Kangarilla this Sunday, 17^th August at 9am.  We will then travel together to the Rocky Creek camping ground to spend a fun morning of bike riding or walking around the area.  To top the morning off we will have a sausage sizzle.

The riders need to remember to bring their helmets, water AND a change of clothes (there will be a lot of water lying around!!)  A warm or water proof coat might be a good idea for walkers.

All family members are welcome.

Wendy Nicolle

At our last Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare meeting, it was decided that the committee should let our community know that we do have an OHS&W committee who meets regularly and who discusses issues around safe work practices and possible risks. The committee comprises Scott Francis, Deb Solly (OSHC) and Judy Davies.

We also do regular safety audits and arrange drills for evacuation and invacuation. If you note any possible risks around the school, please let one of the committee know, so that we are able to follow up

Thank you to all that have been able to order our 'Special Pretzel Lunch' this Friday.  The response has been incredible.

Please add to your Menu --
* Butter Chicken & Rice                                     $3.50
* Berri Juice - Orange / Apple / Multi V           $1.50
* Jellies & Fruit Ice                                              0.20
* Zings                                                 ½           0.20
                                                            1            0.40
*Torpedo                                                           0.20

Big M is available again.

Don't forget, new price list with a slight increase went home to all last term.  If you don't have one, please come and see us. 

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The Senior Primary carnival was played this week.  Happy Valley performed very well against teams ranked several divisions higher.  We picked up one win from four games and all players really put in, worked hard, and most importantly showed plenty of enthusiasm and enjoyed themselves.  A credit to everyone who came out on a cold, wet night to support the team.

Our presentation date is almost finalised and will probably be early in week 9.  Details will be available by this weekend.

Gary Kite - Soccer Coordinator

FOOTBALL
Reminder
Football is at home for all of the remaining games. We were to play at Reynella East, but that has changed to a Home Match against our arch rivals Reynella Primary.  Parents please make sure you go and see your child/ren play this game as well as the games in the following weeks.

PLEASE TAKE PARTICULAR NOTE that as we have an Election for the Seat of MAYO on September 6^th and the Electoral Commission need the Hall as a Polling Centre we have to change the Football Presentation date.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

We will have our presentations on Saturday the 13^th of September at 11.00am in the School Hall. A $2.00 donation will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost of the BBQ and drinks. Could you please bring along a small salad or plate of cakes?

Please ensure your fees are paid or no trophies will be presented and that all tops are washed and returned on the day 

I'm sad to say that I shall be stepping down as Football Coordinator as from the 30^th of August and shall have no more involvement with the Football at Happy Valley Primary School. I wish to thank the Coaches and the children for their sportsmanship and it has been a pleasure to work with Dean Cox over the last 6 years. I wish him the best in next year's ventures (Motorbike Stuntman). Some one must now step up and take on this position or there will be no Football in 2009.  If you feel that you can be School Football Coordinator and Delegate for South Adelaide please come and speak to me at the games or please phone and I will discuss what is involved.

Just remember this is a great way to be involved with your kids and others.

Simon Brandenburg Happy Valley Football Delegate
83223531 or 0407 798 930

Thanks Simon for all of your hard work over the years.

Kylie

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