Newsletter Volume 17 2009

Volume 17 .... 5th November 2009
Week 4 .... Term 4

REMINDERS
BOOK FAIR
4^th - 6^th November
FUN RUN
Frid. 6^th November
SUSHI DAY
Frid. 6^th November

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041

Email:
info@happyvalley.sa.edu.au
Website:
www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au

Inside this issue...............
Fun Run, Christmas Night, Jun. Prim. Awards, Mid Year Japanese Comp. Chaplain's Corner, Pedal Prix, Resource Centre, Sport, ACEO, Kookaburra Cafe, Parent Club, Trash & Treasure Car Boot Sale, Community News, Term 4 Calendar (flyer)

From Kyle

Our Pupil Free Day
Thank you to all of those people who sent in letters about class placement. This year it has been a pleasure to receive them as so many started with something like "this has been a great year for our child..." Nearly all the letters have been complimentary about the present class that their child was placed in this year and how much their children have improved over the year.

This was verified by the NAPLAN results which we looked at in depth on Friday afternoon during our pupil free day. In particular we were very impressed with our year 5 students who overall showed wonderful improvement in their skills with 52% of students in the upper progress sector in Numeracy (our focus for the year) and only 10% in the lower progress section. The National average was 25% in the lower and 25% in the upper.

The other data we looked at on Friday was our Nelson Maths tests and "subitising" data.

Yes, I did get that right, subitising is a "big idea in number" and is a way for students to quickly identify number patterns and what makes up certain numbers.

The "Big Ideas in Number" is a program on which we have been working all year, to improve students' number skills and it will be "rolled out" state wide next year due to its success in improving student learning outcomes.

It was important for us as a staff to look at these results and data across the school as it tells us what we have done well this year in numeracy, what we still can improve on and therefore change next year to continue this improvement.

Friday morning we spent time undertaking the compulsory training "Responding to Abuse and Neglect".

While this is a very difficult subject to talk about, as adults, who are mandated to report any indications of abuse in the children we work with, we need to keep updating our skills and make sure we are familiar with the latest procedures and policies.

This training also included a section on working with traumatised children and how trauma (no matter what the cause) can impact on students' wellbeing and learning ability and what we can do at school to help these children.

Overall it was a very busy day and thanks to staff for their hard work. Thanks also to Karen E. and her helpers in supplying a yummy morning tea to sustain us through the day.

Matt
Unfortunately Matt has decided to leave us at the end of the year. This is not a decision he took lightly, but he has deferred his University studies now for two years and he needs to take up the position now or lose his place. He has told me that he will still come to visit and make sure that programs he has started are well enough established to continue.

We will be advertising for a replacement this weekend in order to appoint someone before the end of the year so that we have a smooth transition process for this important role.

I will take this opportunity to thank Matt sincerely for all of his hard work and I know that many of our students will miss him.

Mrs Kylie Raymond
Principal

Mrs Judy Davies
Junior Head of School

Mr Tony Trimboli
Primary Head of School

Page 2

FUN RUN

Don't forget. Tomorrow is our Fun Run! All children should have brought home a timetable for the day.

We have collected sponsor forms so that we can check, before we order prizes. All classes have seen an assortment of the prizes available.

If you have some spare time and would like to help out, we would really appreciate any assistance.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Christmas Night is fast approaching. Our Christmas Night will be in Week 8, on Tuesday, December 1^st. There will be a barbeque, and the program will start at approximately 6.00 - 6.30pm. Programs will be sent home closer to the event.

There will be a number of items -- this year, the Junior Primary classes will be doing a nativity play, and other classes will also be doing items. And, of course, we will have the fireworks as the finale.

We will again have our big hamper raffle and information will be coming home soon.

JUNIOR PRIMARY AWARDS

At our Junior Primary assembly on Tuesday, a number of students received awards for demonstrating either one of the Program Achieve Keys for Success or one of our school values. Congratulations to Tayla S., Aimee Z., Hannah N., Abby H., James O., Jaslyn W., Aisha H., Jules M., Casey W., Merian S., Brayden U., Tyson S., Rory H., Latisha K., Jazmin M., Olivia W., Jordan M. and Joshua D.

MID YEAR JAPANESE COMPETITION

Year 6 and 7 students have worked very hard for this annual event during the last 2 months. The students were required to present good quality Japanese skills including Speaking, Writing, Grammar knowledge and Creativity.

The students were also encouraged to focus and improve their attitude for learning, behaviour and organisation to gain extra points to the final score of this competition.

The winners are:
Year 6
Gold medal                                          Dayna W.
Silver medal                                         Wenqing Z.
Bronze medal                                       Emily D.
Year 7
Gold medal                                          Anzelle de K.
Silver medal                                         Braden W.
Bronze medal                                       Nathan B.

These winners were presented with a small gift as well as a certificate for their fantastic achievement.

Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

Oka sensei

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

Hi all,

I heard this joke the other day:
What do you call a fat alien?
An Extra Cholesterol.

As you may know, this will be my last term here at Happy Valley School. I've made the tough choice to say goodbye and attend university next year to study Human Movement and then Physiotherapy. I hope to travel overseas once my study is complete and work with aid relief organisations.

It has been a hard decision, but my time working in this community has helped greatly to shape my future. So thank you.

Even though I won't be here, a new CPSW will be appointed for the start of next year. On another sad note, next year will be the last year of the government funding for CPSW's not just in Happy Valley but across Australia. The government hasn't agreed to continue the funding yet and we need your help to tell them they should.

Please go to www.smg.asn.au and click on the "We Need Your Support" link. This will allow you to send an email to our local MP, telling them of how important this role is and why they should fight to continue the funding.

On a brighter note, our chicken coop is finally fox proof (fingers crossed) and we will have some new chickens occupying it very soon.

Matt

Page 3

PEDAL PRIX
End of Season Kuitpo Ride

Traditionally the Kuitpo Ride has happened much earlier in the season, but due to a full program, the committee decided to hold this event after the big race.

We all met at the Kangarilla Oval then travelled in convoy up to Rocky Creek Picnic ground. The weather was perfect for a ride or walk through the forest. The team broke off into two groups, accompanied by dads, and the walkers with a couple of dogs set off too.

The walkers followed a path that kept crossing a running creek and we could tell that the riders found many puddles because of the state of their clothes when they arrived back!

The morning was topped of by a sausage sizzle and fizzy drink and 'thank you' presentations to Craig Batten and Dianne Gordon.

Pedal Prix is having another Car Boot Sale on the 29^th November (see advertisement on last page) and will have the BBQ at the Christmas Night on 1^st December.

Wendy Nicolle

RESOURCE CENTRE

Tomorrow is the last day for the Annual Book Fair.

8.30 - 10.00am & 3.00 - 4.00pm

IN THE RESOURCE CENTRE

SPORT

The Happy Valley SAPSASA cricket team has continued on its winning way by beating Woodcroft College in the recent quarter-final. Woodcroft batted first and the boys bowled and fielded very well to restrict them to 7/91 from their 25 overs after their batsmen had got away to a good start. Dylan C and Sean M each picked up 2 wickets. In reply, Happy Valley steadily picked off the runs but after Caleb D had to retire on 30, we still needed another 30 runs and were running out of wickets. However, Matthew K scored a quick 26 not out and with some good support from Alex S, this was enough to bring Happy Valley home with 5 overs to spare.

We are now one of the last 4 teams left and in the next couple of weeks will be playing off for a position in the grand final. This is a mighty effort as we are one of the smallest schools in this competition.

I would also like to highlight two exceptional performances by Sean M and Caleb D in the recent Saturday morning match against Goodwood. After both retiring at 30, they returned to the crease when all other players had batted. They went on to score their first ever centuries with Sean making 101 retired and Caleb making 119 not out in our overall score of 4/338. One century in school cricket is a very rare event and to see two in the same innings was quite special. Well done to both boys.

Gary Kite.

ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION OFFICER (ACEO)

We would like to welcome Myra Wilson who is the Aboriginal Community Education Officer (ACEO) for our area to the Happy Valley community. Myra visits our school on Fridays from 12.30 - 3.30pm. If you would like to make an appointment, have questions or want to chat, please come and see her or contact the front office.

KOOKABURRA CAFE

Wow! what a wonderful response to our 'Sushi' Friday Meal Deal. We hope you all enjoy your special lunch.

Our new items include:
Freeze Pops (like little snips) Straw. or Choc.      50c.
Frozen Juice -- Apple, Orange, Pineapple         $1.00
Apricot & Coconut Balls                         2 for     10c
                                                            5 for     20c

Frozen and fresh fruit will be available over the counter.
Noodles: Mon. Wed. Fri. only (unless very cold under 18). We will sell over the counter and take lunch orders.

We would like to welcome another new mum, Marie to our list of volunteers. Thank you to all our regulars for your continued support and to the staff, students, parents and carers.

Karen and Andrea

Page 4

PARENT CLUB

Charlesworth Nuts Order Forms are due back on Friday 13^th November with a pick up date of Wednesday 25^th November. If you need extra forms, please see Andrea or Karen in the Canteen.

The annual Christmas Stall will be held on 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th of December (Week 8) for children wishing to purchase Christmas gifts for their families.

'No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.'

Cheers, Shauna - Secretary

TRASH & TREASURE / CAR BOOT SALE
Sunday Morning 29^th November
8:00am til 12 noon

The Happy Valley School Pedal Prix Team is holding another Trash & Treasure / Car Boot Sale.

Only $15 per vehicle, set up from 7.00
Only $15 per stall, set up from 7.00 am
Free Entry

If you want to be a "seller" please contact the school on 83817166 and book a space or for more information phone 0400663956 / 0421283693.

OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE

We welcome the addition of a new pet, "Bluey" the budgie.

Vacation Care Program and bookings will be available on Monday 16^th November, 2009. Booking forms can be obtained from O.S.H.C. or the front office.

Vacation Care is open to all families, so if you need some 'Time Out', we are here.

Our cookbook is still available for just $5.00. It would make an ideal stocking filler for Christmas.

Roxanne Longbottom
Director -- 8322 2411 or 0417 898 739

COMMUNITY NEWS

SA WATER VACSWIM. 2010. 5^th - 13^th January.
The vacation water safety and swimming program, will be conducted at various locations from Tuesday 5^th until Wednesday 13^th January 2010. Enrolment booklets containing all details are available from the school, swimming centres and the SA Water Vacswim office. Please refer to the website for up to date on-site enrolment details.

For more enrolment location information visit www.vacswimsa.com or call the VACSWIM office on 7424 7650.

READ ON THE WILD SIDE!
The City of Onkaparinga Libraries' extremely popular Summer Reading Club program is back again in 2009!

This involves kids reading books and recording titles on reading records to go in a State draw. They will also accrue points which can be used for bidding on prizes at an auction at the end of the summer. Participants are also encouraged to borrow reading materials from the libraries and write book reviews for additional points.

This is a great way to maintain your child's reading skills and enthusiasm for books over the long summer break.

We initiated this exciting prize auction format for our Summer Reading Club last summer with excellent results and hope to build on this for this summer's program.

	Last year 632 children registered to participate
	633 completed reading logs were handed in
	6330 books read
	over 150 book reviews received
	219900 points accrued

Please come along to the Read on the Wild Side Launch, Saturday 5 December, 12pm - 2pm @ Ramsay Place, Noarlunga Centre - a bonus 250 points if you register at the launch!

Otherwise, drop into any City of Onkaparinga library to join or find out more information.