Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 10th October 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to Term 4

This week we are trying something different - you can either read the update below or listen to it in a summary podcast here. 

It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final leg of the school year. 2025 has been filled with success and growth across so many areas of school life. At the heart of this is our strong sense of community and the way we work together to ensure the very best outcomes for our children.

Feedback plays a critical role in this process. Throughout the year, we’ve refined our approaches through meaningful engagement with whānau. 

Term 4 is a time for both celebration and planning. As we look ahead to 2026, we warmly invite your feedback on how we can further strengthen our programmes and approaches. Your perspectives help shape the direction of our school and ensure we remain responsive to the needs of our learners and community.

Opening Young Eyes to the Arts

Opening our students’ eyes to the possibilities within the arts curriculum is something we deeply value at our school. This term, we are excited to launch a music and dance programme for our Year 1- 4 students, running every Tuesday throughout the term.

Each week, students will enjoy a ukulele lesson with Paerau Hemopo, a talented musician and member of the band 1 Drop Nation, which is making its mark on the charts. They will also take part in a hip hop dance session with Steph Phillips, a dynamic member of Legacy Dance School. 

Through this programme, we hope to inspire our youngest learners to develop their confidence, creativity, and passion for the arts as they continue their journey through our school.

Attendance - Can we reach our target? 

As you may be aware, the Government has set a national attendance target that by 2030,
80% of students will be at school at least 90% of the time.

This target reflects research showing that regular attendance is closely linked to improved social and learning outcomes.

In 2024, 63% of Beckenham students reached this target. At the start of this year, we set ourselves a school goal of 70% of students attending at least 90% of the time for 2025.

We began strongly, with Term 1 at 76% and Term 2 at 69%. However, Term 3 brought unprecedented levels and types of illness, and our attendance dropped significantly to 49%.

To reach our annual target, we now need 86% of students to attend more than 90% of the time this term. While this is a challenge, we’re hopeful it’s still achievable.

Regular attendance has a big impact on learning, wellbeing, and connection to school. If you need support with strategies to improve attendance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can work alongside whānau to put wraparound support in place.

Measles

Last week, I received information about the measles outbreak in New Zealand from the Ministry of Education and have been asked to share the details below with you:
  • Measles is very contagious and can make people of any age very sick.
  • Watch for measles symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and a blotchy rash. 
  • If anyone in your whānau has measles symptoms keep them home and contact a doctor or Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116.
  • Vaccination is the best protection from measles. Check all whānau are immunised. 
  • Anyone closely exposed to measles who has not received two MMR vaccinations cannot attend their school | kura for at least eight days.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the warm weather!

Ngā mihi,
Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events - Term 4

WEEK 2

Mon 13 Oct - Fri 17 Oct - Walk or Wheel to School Week

Fri 17 Oct - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)


WEEK 3 

Wed 22 Oct - Huxster Mountain Biking Event (McLeans Island)

Wed 22 Oct - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)

Thu 23 Oct - Possible NZEI Teachers' Union Strike (School may be Closed TBC)


WEEK 4

Mon 27 Oct - Labour Day - School Closed

Wed 29 Oct - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm)

Thu 30 Oct - Athletics Day

Fri 31 Oct - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)


WEEK 5

Fri 7 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)


WEEK 6

Thu 13 Nov - Staff Only Day 

Fri 14 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day - School Closed


WEEK 7 

Fri 21 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)

Fri 21 Nov - PTA Colour Run (1:30pm-3:00pm Fundraiser Event)


WEEK 8 

Wed 26 Nov - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)

Thu 27 Nov - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm)

Fri 28 Nov - Whānau and Volunteers Thank you (8:00-8:30am)

Fri 28 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)


WEEK 9

Wed 3 Dec - Kauri Production (1:30-3:00pm Matinee & 6:30-8:30pm First Night)

Thu 4 Dec - Kōwhai Production (11:30-12:30pm) & Kauri Production (6:30-8:30pm Final Night)

Fri 5 Dec - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)


WEEK 10

Fri 12 Dec - Final Celebration Assembly (9:45am-10:30am)


WEEK 11

Wed 17 Dec - Last Day of the Year, School finishes 12:30pm


2026 Term Dates

Citizen of the Week

Maeve - Year 4

Maeve, you always bring positivity, thoughtfulness, care and kindness to our Kōwhai hub. You are hardworking and determined, and you always give everything your best effort. Thank you for always showing our school kete values in everything you do. Ka pai tō mahi, Maeve!


Carice - Year 4

Carice, A true team player, you have an unwavering supportiveness and collaborative spirit. Carice you are always the first to offer help with challenging material and is always considerate of her peers' needs and learning pace. Your contributions make our study groups and classroom discussions noticeably more productive and welcoming.


Jake - Year 6

Jake, your creativity shines through in the way you contribute fresh ideas and inspire those around you. You are self-motivated and put your best effort into all learning areas. You are a kind and loyal friend, and you display our school values daily. Ka pai tō mahi!

School Notices

Walk or Wheel Week

Next week is 'Walk or Wheel to School Week', this is a fun week that encourages primary school children and their whānau to walk, cycle, scoot or skate to school.


This takes place from Monday, 13th October to Friday, 17th October 2025.


Your child will have a small card that they can get signed off by their teacher each day that they "walk or wheel" to school. This will put them in the draw to win some cool prizes!


Whether you join us for one day or the whole week, we’d love to have you walking and wheeling with us.


Here are the themes:

Move it Monday - Let’s get moving! Start your Walk or Wheel to School week with an active way of getting to school!

Travel Together Tuesday - Let’s celebrate walking or wheeling to school with friends and whānau!

Wacky Wednesday - Display something bright; Look Bright, Be Bright, Stay Bright!

Thoughtful Thursday - Walking and wheeling helps create a healthier planet! How else can you help our environment? Maybe you could collect some rubbish on your travels!

Funky Feet Friday - Dress your feet - wear your funkiest socks or jazz up your trainers with glitter, tinsel, feathers - whatever you’re thinking!

Sunhat and Drink Bottle - Reminder

As we enter Term 4 and warmer weather, every child must attend school with a named sunhat and water bottle. Sunhats are compulsory when outside during Terms 1 and 4. Please also remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied as well.


The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,


This section of our newsletter is dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. It’s fantastic to already have three Kauri students sharing how they are embracing We Love Challenge - Nau Mai Te Wero beyond the classroom and pursuing their passions. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!


Ngā mihi nui,

Kate McGregor

Sports Coordinator


Laura Stoney - Interregional Cross Country 

 A huge congratulations to Laura for placing 7th in a highly competitive race at Ascot Park! She was the second-best runner from Canterbury, with the top five spots dominated by Wellington athletes. It was a chilly day, and the 3km course, complete with small hills and hurdles, was no easy feat. Laura's determination and skill were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder of her outstanding effort among such tough competition. Well done, Laura!


Jacob Hamilton - Basketball Success 

 We are incredibly proud of Jacob and his team for finishing 3rd overall! Jacob has worked hard throughout the season, and it’s been fantastic to see how much his game has improved. He was also recognised with a special award for consistently demonstrating the league’s values—a true testament to his character, teamwork, and commitment. Congratulations, Jacob, on a fantastic season! 


Kawariki Taylor - Pool Rescue Competition

A huge well done to Kawariki for his impressive results at the Southern Regionals Pool Rescue Competition! Competing in the Under 14 Boys category, Kawariki placed 3rd overall, with standout performances across multiple events:

  • 1st in the U1 Mixed Obstacle Relay
  • 2nd in the U14 Mixed Brick Relay
  • 2nd in the U14 Patient Tow
  • 3rd in the U14 Brick Carry
  • 3rd in the U14 Swim with Fins

Zach Guise - Cycling Success 

 A huge congratulations to Zach, who took out first place in the U13 Cycling NZ Schools Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships held in Nelson on Wednesday! What an incredible achievement — well done, Zach, for your hard work, determination, and outstanding performance on the track! 


PTA News

Save the date for our next big fundraiser - a Colour Run Friday 21st November! We are currently looking for local businesses or corporate sponsors who would like to support this exciting and fun event, taking place in Beckenham Park.

If you can help, please complete this form. 

Entertainment books are still for sale and available to buy here. There are heaps of savings and 20% of the book cost comes straight back to school.


There's still time to register for the Weetbix TRYathlon which is happening in February. Click here to register with our school group.

BOT Update

Term 4 Policy Review - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)


Creative Kids Art Workshops - Andrea Baker Art

Now enrolling for Term 4: 8 week programme for children aged 8-12 years old.

Thursdays 3.30-5pm. Starting 16 October. 

Also taking enquiries for other days if Thursday does not suit.

Based at The Bull Room, Risingholme, Opawa

Experienced Art Educator - All material provided - Limited spaces

andreabakerart@gmail.com 0212327141








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