Volume 16 -  23rd October 2008
Week 2 .... Term 4

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
hvsadmin@happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue............
Welcome new staff & students, Family Maths Challenge, Chaplain's Corner, Fundraising, Civic Reception, Resource Centre, Lost Property, Pedal Prix, Do You Know Someone? Kookaburra Cafe, Tips, OSHC., Parent Club, Community News, List of Sponsors, Halloween Safety, Tear Off Slip.

Welcome back to another term!  The year seems to be flying past at a frightening pace. Term 4 is traditionally a very busy time with many programs finishing off, planning for next year and reports, so Christmas will be here before we know it!

Class Placement
As I previously mentioned in newsletters we will start the class placement exercise very shortly. Once again we are only several students short of forming another class in the Primary School.
This means that as we did last year we will have to look at several options for class structures and if we do not get the extra enrolments, our classes will be very full with not much room for movement.

Please, if there is anything you would like to be considered during the class placement exercise PUT IT IN WRITING AND SEND IT TO ME BY MONDAY (OCT 27^th) AT THE LATEST.
If you know that your child/children are not returning in 2009 please let us know ASAP.

Unwanted Visitors
Some of you would have noticed that we have had some unwelcome visitors again at the school on the weekend. This seems to be a bit of a trend at the moment after several incidents at the end of last term.

Please keep your eyes open for any unusual activity at the school on the weekends or at night and if necessary call Police on 131444.

Vandalism costs us valuable resources and time (especially Mike's) which can be better spent on grounds development rather than repairing senseless damage.  It is also surprising how often community awareness and reports can help police identify perpetrators and therefore put a stop to further damage.

Staff Changes
We have had a few changes this term to our staff team. We have started a new reception class (see Judy's welcome). Juno Oka has taken 3 weeks of leave to visit his family in Japan and Wendy Lane has taken his place for that time. Wendy will be taking classes for Japanese art and crafts and cultural studies.

Simon Mueller has also taken some leave to spend with his young family and Stefan Butler has taken his place. Simon will return at the beginning of week 4.

Christmas Night
Many people having been asking about the date. This is a favourite night in our school calendar and weather permitting it will be held on Tuesday December 2^nd on the oval.

We would love to see some families contribute to the program so if you have a fun item, don't be shy let the Leadership Team know. Staff regularly make fools of themselves on stage so we would love to see some community involvement in our program.
 

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We would like to say a very special welcome to Mrs Catherine Calder. Catherine has a contract at Happy Valley for Term 4, to take the Reception children who have just started school this term. She has 11 children in her class, and is located in T10.

Welcome, too, to the new Reception children who started school for the very first time. We are really glad to welcome Dylan A., Abby H., Amber K., Jayda L., Ewan M., Amber M., Leah M., Tyson S., Brayden U. and Jayda W., and their families to our school.

Catherine Calder with her new students.

A special welcome, as well, to Amber, who has moved to Happy Valley and is in Shelley Saunders' class.

Many families at Happy Valley are using Mathletics. If you don't already know about this, Mathletics is a web-based learning program which integrates home and school learning of mathematics via the internet. All students at our school are able to log in and use Mathletics. They can revise or practise classroom work, cover gaps in learning and bright students can be extended. Students quickly know if they are on the right track and can work through the curriculum at their own pace. In 'Live Mathletics' students compete live against students from around the world in mental arithmetic challenges.

If you want to find out more about Mathletics, we are holding a parent information evening on Monday 3^rd November. Bill Lunn will be in the school computer room from 6 to 7 pm to demonstrate and answer any questions you may have about Mathletics. Students are welcome to attend and I'm sure they would love to demonstrate Mathletics to you.

Please  complete  the  tear-off   if  you  are  attending  the

Mathletics evening. We look forward to seeing you there.

This term we will be having Maths challenges in the newsletter each fortnight.  They are intended for the family to work out together, talk about maths and solve the problems.

Record how you do the challenge, bring one or more in to school and post into the 'MATHS CHALLENGE' box in the front office, by Friday of the non-newsletter week.  There will be one prize drawn for each question from all correct answers; four prizes altogether.  Make sure your child's name, class and question number is on the answer sheet, use a separate entry for each question.  All the working out must be shown to win a prize.

GOOD LUCK.....

Carol Atherton -- Primary Maths Coordinator

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QUIZ NIGHT
Our Quiz Night is this Saturday
A huge thank you to those who have donated prizes and also to those who have booked a table. We will acknowledge donations on the night and in a later newsletter.

If you would still like to come please phone the office and let us know -- we are still taking bookings.

ORIENTEERING ACTIVITY -- HEALTHY LIFESTYLES WEEK
As part of Healthy Lifestyles Week, all students will participate in an Orienteering activity. This will involve classes walking a set course, which will require students to collect a number of "letters" which will be used to make a word related to Healthy Lifestyle. Some members of our Student Leadership Council have checked out a course this week with Scott Francis.  This will be a fundraising event.

You should have received sponsor forms by now. We ask that you support this event -- it's one in which everyone takes part. And, like the Wheel-a-thon it's a fun activity. Please help your child to find sponsors. The activity will take place during next week. Many thanks.

RAFFLE
As already mentioned in this newsletter, Christmas Night will be on Tuesday December 2^nd. As in previous years, we will have our mega hamper raffle. Classes will be asked to collect donations around a theme. Watch in future newsletters.

Last year we had a fantastic number of hampers, and some very happy winners! 

On Thursday the 25^th of September Teea and I from Mrs Atherton's class went to the Adelaide Town Hall to go to the Civic Reception to welcome the South Australian Paralympians home.

 As soon as we got there we were given name tags to show who we are and what school we were from.  We were also given an Australian flag and a page and pen for autographs.  The Premier and Mayor of Adelaide were there to welcome them home.

As they were walking in, Teea and I were near the front and got a good view of the paralympians.  As they were lining up on the stage, people were given a summary about who they were and what they had achieved at the Beijing Paralympics.  They were then presented with a gift.

As they finished we were given the opportunity to get their autograph and photo.  Callie got her photo taken with the Mayor and I got my photo taken with a swimmer.  We were then given the chance to have our photo taken with Matthew Cowdrey and were able to hold one of his gold medals.  We also got to have a photo with a shooter who has been in the Paralympics for 10 years.

We had a great time and got to meet people who represent our country.

By Callie and Teea

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Welcome back everyone.  We hope you all had a lovely holiday.

Another new menu will be sent home to you soon.  We are sorry we left a few new items off the last one.

A reminder that Noodles are now $1.30 in a plastic mug.  When the mug and fork are returned to the Canteen, 10c will be refunded.

Our new 'Fruit Slushy' machine has arrived.  The flavours are Blueberry and Pine/Lime as voted on by the students.  Hopefully it will be up and running by Friday.  Cost is $1.50.

The Slinky machine for apples has been a huge success.  We have two operating now.

Thank you to all our parent volunteers and the students who help us so much.

Karen and Andrea

FAREWELL
We are sad to say that Heather Barnfield has announced her resignation after many years of service.  The staff and children are very sad to see Heather go.  Everyone would like to wish her all the best for the future.

IMPORTANT DATES
Mon. 27^th Oct. 6:15pm -- OSHC Management meeting
Mon. 17^th Nov. 7:15pm -- Vac. Care Prog. available

Roxanne Longbottom - OSHC Director
Ph. 8322 2411 or 0417 898 739

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all the new families to the school.

Reminder -- Family Photos
You should have all received the brochures for family photo portraits inviting you to make an appointment.  Our apologies for not realising that the Years 5 & 6 students will be on camp.  A letter was sent to the families concerned to hopefully make another time.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5^th November in the Long Room.

Andrea and Karen

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CAROLS AT THE ACADEMY 2008
The South Australia Police will be hosting its 15^th Carols at the Academy and invites you to attend this year's event.

Held at the South Australia Police Academy, Strathfield Terrace, Taperoo, the night will celebrate the Festive Season with entertainment from the Band of the South Australia Police and the Young Adelaide Voices Choir who will perform an array of contemporary and traditional Christmas carols.

There will be special entertainment for children including amusements, police car rides, special appearances by Kozmic Kapers, Tinsel the Reindeer and of course Father Christmas. 

Fireworks will complete the evening of celebration.

Entry is free. Bring a rug or chair and enjoy an evening of Christmas carols at the seaside grounds of the Police Academy. 

As a way of sharing the Christmas cheer, we are encouraging guests to "Bring a can of food for Christmas". In the past we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our  community  in  donating  canned  food  items  to  the  St

Vincent DePaul Society. These cans will help needy Adelaide families get through the Christmas period.

Event Information
Date: Friday 12 December 2008 / Cost: FREE
Venue: South Aust. Police Academy Strathfield Tce, Taperoo
Gates open: 6.00pm / Evening concludes: 10.00pm
Free on-site parking available / Catering available

For further information please contact the Event Project Team 820 74642

DAD FACTOR Southern Primary Health -- Inner Southern
Dad Factor is a seven week free course for fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other male carers that aims to emphasize the important role that Dads play in the lives of their children, and to assist participants in developing their own parenting style.  Topics covered include: The role of fathers; Communicating with children; Helping children develop self confidence; Understanding and responding to kid's behaviour; Handling stress and personal relationships.  When: Thur. 30^th Oct. to Thur. 11^th Dec.
Time: 6.00 -- 8.00pm.
Where: Southern Primary Health -- Inner Southern1140A South Rd. Clovelly Pk.
To book please call Reception on 8277 2488 and ask to speak with Andrew.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS OF THE HAPPY VALLEY SCHOOL PEDAL PRIX TEAM 2008

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HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

These "Halloween Safety" tips have been provided to you by the South Australia Police State Crime Prevention Branch.  For additional information regarding Halloween safety tips go to www.halloween-safety.com

It's important for all young people to follow these 8 simple safety tips so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

1. Ensure your child is wearing a costume or mask that allows them to see and breathe easily and make sure they are able to take if off on their own.

2. A parent or older brother or sister needs to accompany all children.  Children should never go "trick or treating" by themselves.

3. Children should only go to houses that their parents are familiar with and only approach the house if the front outside light is switched on.

4. After knocking on the door and saying "trick or treat", children should stay at the front door and never enter inside the person's house.

5. Children should not approach any vehicle unless the child and parent know the occupant.

6. Before children set out to go "trick or treating" parents should sit down and talk with them about these tips and instruct their child to make a scene or scream if someone tries to grab them or force them into a car or house.

7. At the end of the evening, parents should inspect all of their children's "treats" and dispose of any lollies that are not wrapped or appear to be tampered with.

8. An alternative to "trick and treating" is holding a Halloween party at home, that way all children are supervised in a safe environment and can still enjoy celebrating Halloween.

MATHLETICS --- Parent Information Evening (Please return to the front office a.s.a.p)

I/We would like to attend the Information Evening on Monday 3^rd November. 

There will be ____________ members of our family attending.
                         (number)

Family Name: ___________________________

Eldest Child's Class Teacher: __________________________

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