Volume 17 .... 4th November 2010
Week 4 .... Term 4


 

Ph: 8381 7166
Fax: 8381 6041
 

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

 

Inside this issue...............
 World Teacher Day
Healthy Life Styles Week
Violin Performance
Fun And Games
Wild Adventures with MS Readathon
Premier's Reading Challenge
Holly's Highlights
Christmas Night
 Maggie Beer Visit
 Parent Club
Canteen
OSHC
Community

From Kyle

Sports Day Tomorrow 5th November
8.15 start and early dismissal, Junior Primary 12.30pm and Primary 1.50pm

Christmas Night -- Put it in your diaries now TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30th
 Be there for our all singing, all dancing and EXPLOSIVE night!

Pupil Free Day -- Using Data to Plan for 2011
 Last Monday we met as a whole staff to look at student achievement data.

We looked at several aspects of this topic including

  1. A new Student Achievement Database that Nikki Smart (Lyn's daughter) has developed for us that will make the tracking of our students' achievement much simpler and easier for teachers. Nikki introduced the program and how to use it and we also spent time entering data from recent student testing.

  2. Merri James led us through a process to look at our recent NAPLAN results and help us to identify our students' strengths in this test and where we need to improve.

  3. We also took all the data on student achievement that we have and used it to look at patterns and trends so that we can make very specific plans for 2011 in what and how we teach.

Some of the outcomes of the day were

  • While we have made progress in Numeracy (which has been our priority for the last 3 years) it is time to refocus on Literacy across the school in particular Reading in the Early Years and Grammar and Spelling in the upper years.

  • We also need to look at writing as an area for improvement across the whole school particularly writing what we call "expositions". The form of writing in next years NAPLAN is an exposition. This is a fancy way of describing a piece of writing that is an argument for a particular point of view or persuading someone about a viewpoint. A bit trickier than a "narrative" which is a made up story. Narratives have been the text type used in NAPLAN tests up until now.

  • Also in writing we need to look at specifics such as paragraphing, punctuation and writing more complex sentences.

  • With Reading we need to be concentrating on comprehension as well as decoding skills with our younger students. Many of them are showing us great skills at actually reading the words but this can often cover up the fact that students don't really understand what the story is about. Our students need to be able to answer questions like who are the characters, what are they like and what is the plot about etc.

All of these things will be appearing in our Site Learning Plan (Strategic Plan ) for 2011 so  that we can continue to build on our students' skills. By this close analysis of data such as we participated in on Monday we can build a plan that uses very Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely goals/targets which will then translate into improved teaching and learning for all.

 

Mrs Kylie Raymond
Principal		 Mrs Judy Davies
Junior Head of School		 Mr Tony Trimboli
 Primary Head of School


 
 

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WORLD TEACHER DAY

Last Friday we celebrated World Teachers' Day with a special assembly at which we acknowledged the wonderful work done by our teachers. The theme was "We dream, believe and achieve ... together." Teachers were presented with certificates, badges, cards and origami medals made by the students, with Juno's help. As in previous years, the local church group provided a wonderful morning tea.

HEALTH LIFESTYLES WEEK

During week four students from all classes have participated in a range of activities linked to Healthy Lifestyles Week. The purpose of the week is to provide students with opportunities to experience some of the less traditional sports and activities that are available in our community. We invite development officers from these sports to the school to promote their product and this year students have participated in ten pin bowling, taekwondo, rugby union, dance and baseball. Students have also enjoyed a series of group cooperation activities from the "Play is the Way" program.

The week will conclude on Friday with our annual sports day.


HLW had a mascot,  Kev Kookaburra,  seen here with Ellie K


Tally C showing some style in Ten Pin Bowling


Chris Diamond and helper taught the students taekwondo

VIOLIN PERFORMANCE

At the JP assembly on Tuesday the violin students performed for both students and parents.  The beginner group played "Hot Cross Buns", "Samba Down" and a fun piece called "Pizzacato Hiccups" where we wore wigs and fancy glasses.  Some of the glasses had flashing lights. Then the advanced violinists played "Happy Go Lucky" and "The Fintstones".

Everyone enjoyed the performance!


The beginner Group and their glasses


The Advanced group practicing for the performance

FUN AND GAMES

Mrs Huxtable runs a program called "Fun and Games."  Each week a number of students have fun balancing on beams, building their strength with throwing activities and other motor skills activities.


Ella G balancing on the beam

WILD ADVENTURES IN THE
MS READATHON!

A big thank you to the families and friends of Happy Valley School who supported the participants on their Great Wildlife Adventure!


 
 

Page 3

Happy Valley Primary School students have gone WILD with their reading and raised $541.00 for people with MS.
There is still time to return sponsorship money and receive a MS Readathon Wildlife Adventure certificate and cool reading rewards.  Visit www.msreadathon.org.au for full details.
Congratulations to our school's Wildlife Adventurers:
Ryan B, Shania S, Mikayla S, Kalell K, Kellie M, Holly P, Olivia W.

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the PRC and who received certificates and medals.
 753 schools and 115000 students participated.  Happy Valley was selected as a school of high achievement and will receive books and a certificate in honour of this attainment.
Two students, Nour Sadaka and Holly Weatherall from Mrs Whisson's and Ms Knight's class, by reading the most books, will represent the school at a special Premier's Reception.  WELL DONE GIRLS!

Holly's Highlights  


Sam and Ben working on the bike

  
Holly's Highlights  

What a great couple of weeks!
The boys' mentoring program has started and has been very successful so far.  Matt and Sam are doing a great job, and we have received some great feedback which is always encouraging.
Sam's group have taken on the project of restoring old bicycles; a good way to engage the boys in something positive, away from the technology that drives their world.  If you happen to have any old bikes or scooters lying around at home that you would like to donate towards this project, please let me know.
Last Tuesday I was invited to attend the Year 7 transition day for students attending Reynella East High School next year.  I joined them for the last part of the day which consisted of strategic games led by the Youth team from Edge Church.  The games were designed to activate the students in working as a team to complete each mission.  A great way to move our thoughts from thinking about ourselves, to working as a community to accomplish things.
Looking forward to all that the next couple of weeks is going to bring.

  

Hope to see you at Sports Day on Friday -- GO TEAMS!!

Holly

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

We are very busy getting ready for Christmas Night. This year, Junior Primary classes will be performing a Christmas musical, again based on the story of the Nativity, but with a slightly different perspective. The choir will be singing a selection of songs and other classes will also be performing.
Notes will be going home in the next days about donations for the Christmas Raffle. Please watch for these.

We will again be seeking your help to make the evening a success. Governing Council helpers and some other volunteers will be collecting gold coin donations to help with the cost of the fireworks display, which seems to increase each year.

Keep a watch on future newsletters for more information.

SALVATION ARMY COLLECTION

Families should by now have received a red note about the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer program. You may have noticed that, as well as food, the Salvation Army are also requesting gifts, particularly for teenagers. There will be a collection box in the front office, but you may also bring gifts on Christmas Night. Many thanks in anticipation.
 


 

MAGGIE BEER IS VISITING HVS

We are most fortunate to have the fantastic South Australian cook, food author, restaurateur and television personality Maggie Beer, paying our school a quick visit
         next Tuesday afternoon, the 9thNovember.
 Maggie is the SA Ambassador for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Programme. After her tour of our garden and new kitchen area she will address us at a whole school assembly at about 1.45 pm.
Parents and friends are most welcome to attend to hear her speak (or maybe even sign a book or two you may have!). If so, just let Amelia in the front office know so that we have ample seating provided.

Wanted!!
 WE NEED POTS!!  ALL SIZES!!
 There are many activities in the garden that involve the use of pots: experiments, repotting seedlings before they go into the big garden as well as potting plants to sell,


 
 

Page 4

PARENT CLUB

Sports Day Scone Stall
There will be a scone and Coffee/Tea Stall held on Sports Day in the OSHSports Canteen near the oval.
Scones $2.00, Tea/coffee $2.00, Scone with Tea/coffee $3.00.  Perfect for brekky after such an early start to the day.
Rosters have been sorted out, thank you to all.  Anyone who has a spare moment is welcome to help out on the day.
 The next meeting will be Wednesday 24th November at 9am

CANTEEN

Goodness, it has been an extremely busy month and only 5 weeks to go.  Fish Burgers and Tuna Patties are new on the menu and very popular -- and very tasty.
 Sports Day - We will be selling chips, cool drinks and ice-blocks from the OSHSports canteen.  All the pre-ordered lunch orders can be collected from the school canteen by the lunch monitors on the day.

Again thank you to all our lovely volunteers; mums and students.
If any one would like to help us on Sports Day, please just come and see us.
Karen and Andrea.

OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE

Vacation Care booking for the Christmas holidays will be open on Monday 15th November at 7.15am.  Booking forms will be available in the OSHC room or the School Front Office.
 Roxanne Longbottom
 Director 8322 2411 or 0417 898 739

 

 

COMMUNITY

 
 
Twenty20 Blast! 
 
*      Brand new Under 9 club cricket competition, giving young cricketers the opportunity to be part of the Twenty20 

        phenomenon.

*      The clubs involved are Sheidow Park, Marion, Brighton, and Plympton Footballers.

*      Played Monday nights, starts November 15.

*      For more information, contact SACA Competitions Manager Ben Johnswood at bjohnswood@saca.com.au or on 

        8300 3802.
 

BLUE LIGHT DISCO 
The Sturt Blue Light will be holding a Blue Light Disco on Friday November 5th 2010 at the Marion Cultural Centre, Domain Theatre, 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park from 7.30 p.m. until 10.00 p.m.

 
Entry fee is $5.00.   This event is a lock in.
9 - 17 year olds only.
 
Tickets must be pre purchased from the Domain Theatre Box Office
Monday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm.
Canteen open
PRE PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW- LAST EVENT SOLD OUT!
Great prizes and giveaways
 
For further information please contact - Sturt Police on 8207 4774
 

Do you or your child have a sleep problem?

The team of psychologists at SOMNIA are providing treatment for infants, children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing any of the following:

*     trouble falling asleep
*     waking in the night
*     difficulty getting out of bed
*     often sleeping in parent's bedroom
and more ........

For more information please
contact us via:  0415 977 784 or www.somnia.com.au
 

MAKE THE WORLD SMALLER BY 'MATCHING' WITH A STUDENT NOW          
An international high school exchange student wishes to study in Australia from February through June 2011 for the following reasons:

Australian volunteer host family chooses compatible selected international student and makes him/her a family member.

         Tick the box and make it happen!

ASK S.C.C.E FOR THEIR "MATCHING BOOKLET"
MATCH A STUDENT TO YOUR FAMILY.
BOY/GIRL? EUROPEAN/AMERICAN/JAPANESE? SPORTY? MUSICAL? SCHOLAR?
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange 1800 500 501 or scceaust@scce.com.au
http://www.scce.com.au

 

VACSWIM 2011
 Enrolment Dates
December 11th, 10 -- 12noon
January 2nd, 10 --12noon.
Check website for details, locally for times or down load enrolment forms
www.vacswimsa.com or phone 8200 2525


Cricket SA
 Ford Beach Cricket is a FREE cricket event for year 6 & 7 students (boys and girls) during the December School holidays.
13 - 16th December 2010 @ Henley Beach & Seacliff Beach.
Join in for a day of fun in the sand with Streets Cornetto Classic Catches, great prizes and a chance to meet the Redbacks.