Author Archives: Chloe Miller

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Final Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāpare (Thursday) 2nd April 2026

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term, I would like to take a moment to thank our entire school community for your ongoing support. It has been a term filled with learning, growth, and many opportunities for our students to shine.

Solar Project Update

I wanted to share some good news with you all. Last year, we were approached by a company called COG about the potential for solar arrays to be installed on our school buildings.

The advantages of this include:
  • Reduced carbon emissions
  • The school receives power at a discounted rate
  • Zero upfront or ongoing costs for the school
  • An interface to support students’ learning about sustainability through solar electricity generation
Following a period of consultation, I can confirm that the Board has passed a motion to proceed with this initiative. Below is an indicative image showing the proposed locations of the arrays around the school.

COG will now work with the Ministry of Education to complete all required documentation. If everything proceeds as expected, installation will take place next term.

Community Update

You may be aware of the damage to our school that occurred late last week. This has been disappointing for our community, and we are continuing to work through the situation.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has reached out with messages of support, offers of assistance, and information to help resolve the matter. We really appreciate the strong sense of care and pride our community has in our school.

We are continuing to follow this up and will work with the appropriate agencies to bring the matter to a resolution.

Looking Ahead 

Next term brings new opportunities for learning and involvement. We will share key dates and upcoming events early in the term so you can plan ahead. We look forward to continuing to build strong connections with our community.

Thank You

Thank you again for your support throughout the term, whether that’s helping with learning at home, attending events, or simply encouraging your child each day. It makes a real difference.

We hope you all enjoy a safe and relaxing break and look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for the start of next term.

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 1
Fri 3 AprGood Friday - School Closed
Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Mon 20 AprFirst Day of Term 2
Wed 22 AprNgā Puna Wai Tournament (Yr 5-8)
Fri 24 AprWelcome Assembly (Hall 9:10am - 9:30am)
Mon 27 AprANZAC Day - School Closed
Wed 29 AprPSC Aqua-thon Event (Swim & Run)
Wed 29 AprWorld Vision Junior Youth Conference
Fri 1 MaySchool Cross Country Event
Wed 6 MayPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 7 MayRugby Fun Day (Yr 4-5, Burnside Park)
Thu 7 MayU11 NFL Tournament (Yr 4-6)
Wed 13 MayGirls Got Game - Basketball Programme
Fri 15 MayCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 20 MayBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 27 MaySouth Zone Cross Country Event (Yr 5-8)
Fri 29 MayStaff Only Day - School Closed
Mon 1 JuneKing's Birthday - School Closed

Citizen of the Week

Mason - Year 8

Mason, you are a dedicated and skilled student who is showing a strong commitment to your learning. You help create an inclusive and welcoming classroom by sharing your social skills and building positive connections with others. Your sense of fun and great humour bring energy and positivity to our class each day. Thank you for the way you contribute to our learning environment.

Oscar - Year 5

Oscar, you are a fantastic role model in our hub. You give everything your best effort, and your focus and self-management make you a star learner. You are a kind, supportive friend and a respectful member of our class. Keep up the great work!

School Notices

Viewing our School Calendar in Hero

Any events added to our school calendar will now sync to the calendar in the Hero Family app. When logged into Hero, caregivers can view this by going to Events from the Hero landing page or in the menu on the left side of their Hero app.

Dungeons and Dragons Club!

Are you someone who has an interest in Dungeons and Dragons?
Do you know someone who has an interest in Dungeons and Dragons?

We want to begin a Dungeons and Dragons Club at school. We have some keen players - can you help us?

Please get in touch with Sue Leadbetter at: sue.leadbetter@beckenham.school.nz

Our Weet-Bix TRYathlon Tamariki

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This year, we are embracing our te reo Māori and will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), Kīwaha (saying), and Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:

Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!

Mauria te ponoBelieve in yourself and give it a go!
Whakataukī:Whaowhia te kete mātaurangaThis means to fill the basket with knowledge!
Whakataukī:He waka eke noaWe are all in this together!
Kīwaha:Kia Tau!This means relax, or settle petal!
Kīwaha:Kei runga noa atu koe!This means you're awesome!
Kupu:NgahuruThis means Autumn.
Kupu:HarareiThis means to go on holiday.

If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

Chicken Chat

Some of our tamariki visited Ferndale this week to speak with the children about chickens and take them on a visit to the garden area and to see the chickens in their home.  

We would like to share the slideshow the children made to share with our Ferndale Hub Friends.

Potato (the chicken) loves to sit on Seth's knee every time he visits!

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. 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

Canterbury Swimming Championships

We are incredibly proud of our students who represented our school at the Canterbury Swimming Championships. They showed determination, sportsmanship, and excellent effort in the pool, achieving some fantastic results against strong competition from across the region. We had 14 students competing over the two days.

Sailing Success for Samson

We would also like to celebrate Samson, who achieved an outstanding result at the Canterbury Optimist Championships over the weekend, placing 3rd overall. This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the hard work and dedication he has put into his sailing. We are very proud of his success!

South Island Schools Mountain Biking Championships

Our students also achieved fantastic results at the South Island Schools Mountain Biking Championships. In the Cross Country race, Zach placed 1st, Daniel 6th, and Ben 11th. The boys also teamed up for the Year 7/8 Cross Country Relay, taking out 1st place. In the Enduro event, Zach finished 9th and Ben 21st. Unfortunately, Sedas was unwell and unable to race. We are incredibly proud of the effort and determination shown by all of our riders. Thank you to Malcolm Stoney for the incredible photos of our riders.

Huxster Mountain Biking - 2026 Success

Well done to all of our students who participated in the Huxster Mountain Bike Event. It was another great couple of days of racing with plenty of whānau support on the sidelines. The results below highlight some particularly commendable performances.

In the Year 5/6 division, Lexi and Laurien placed 1st in the Girls Team event. In the Year 7/8 category, Zach took 1st place in the Boys race and recorded the fastest overall time across both days of the event. Laura and Ben also placed 1st in the Open Teams, while Jayme and Mietta finished 4th in the Girls Teams.

PTA News

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Easter raffle in any way, by donating grocery items for the hamper or selling raffle tickets. Every little bit helps, and together we raised almost $5000 for new shade sails over the junior playground!! 
Congratulations to our Easter Raffle winners, who all take home Easter hampers, and we hope you all got a look at Cade dressed up in his Easter Bunny outfit in support of our fundraising. Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone! 

BOT Update

Term 1 Policy Review Closing Soon - 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, our 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.)

Canterbury Rams Vs Wellington Saints - Ticket Discount

We would like to offer your school & community an exclusive 10% discount on tickets for the Canterbury Rams vs Wellington Saints home opening game at Parakiore on the 19th April.

10% Discount – Canterbury Rams vs Wellington Saints - https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/events/RAMSSAI26/venues/CPR/performances/ECPR0000026RA/tickets

We would also like to offer your school community a 25% off to attend the upcoming Canterbury Rams holiday camps & game day clinics for boys & girls. 
25% discount Referral Code on Checkout - TAKEOFF25
 
Canterbury Rams Holiday Camps & Game Day Clinics - Camps & Schools - Canterbury Rams

Table Tennis Canterbury - Free Event

This free event will be held on Sunday, 12th of April at Table Tennis Canterbury Stadium from 9.30am - 12.30pm. Registrations can be made by following the link here.

From Bellies, Babies to Tweens Market - SUNDAY 12 APRIL

Looking to save on quality baby, kids and tween items – or keen to turn your own pre-loved gear into cash?
Come along to the From Bellies, Babies to Tweens Market – a community focused buy/sell market dedicated to all things maternity, baby, kids and tweens. You’ll find a wide range of new and gently used items at affordable prices – all in one convenient location.
Sunday 12 April
9:00am – 12noon
Halswell Rugby League Club, Halswell Domain
It’s the perfect opportunity to shop sustainably, support local whānau and snap up a bargain. Bring your friends, spread the word and mark your calendar! Free entry for shoppers.
To book a stall or find out more, email: fbbtmarket@gmail.com

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 20th March 2026

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Principal's Update

Ngā mihi e te whānau,

It has been a very busy couple of weeks at school. Students have been working hard in the classroom and engaging in a wide range of activities beyond it. At times like this, it can be difficult to keep up with everything that is happening!

Thank you to all our staff for providing these opportunities, and to our community for your ongoing support in making them possible for our students. There is some important information in this newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to read it carefully.

Join a band!


You may have seen a HERO post earlier in the week about opportunities for students to register their interest in school bands. This is a great opportunity for those learning instruments to take their practice to the next level in a highly supportive environment.

If you would like your child to take up this opportunity, please click the link below:

Safety on the Roads

Please note this message relates to a very small minority of our community. We are becoming increasingly concerned about some of the driving behaviours being demonstrated at pick-up and drop-off times. These include making U-turns in areas with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and using designated no-parking areas for parking.

If this behaviour continues, we will seek support from external agencies to help mitigate the health and safety risks to our students.

Digital Technologies Review

As part of this year’s Annual Plan, we will be undertaking a review of how digital technologies are used in our school to support learning. This will include gathering feedback from families, reviewing current research, and considering health and safety guidelines related to digital technology use.

Our aim is to ensure that when digital technologies are used, they enhance learning experiences and outcomes, while also equipping students with the skills and attitudes they need to use these tools effectively and responsibly in the future.

Please look out at the beginning of next term for opportunities to be involved in this important review.

Turf Update

We are pleased to confirm that our new turf will be laid during September and/or October this year. The turf will be a real asset to our school and wider community.

Thank you again to the PTA for their work on this project, and to our community for their generosity through our fundraising efforts.

The turf location and design is shown below. 

Update from the Chicken Palace

 It is hard to believe that the tiny chicks that graced our office space at the end of last year are now on their way to maturity.

Caring for the chickens provides our students with valuable, real-life learning opportunities. Through this, they develop a strong sense of responsibility, empathy, and respect for living things, while also building patience and an understanding of animal welfare. These experiences bring our school values to life in a meaningful and authentic way, particularly in fostering care for others.

Thank you again to everyone who has played a part in making this possible at our school.

Work at School over the holiday break 

Over the holiday break, work will be completed on the exterior of the Old Dental Clinic (PTA Uniform Shop), and the interiors of the Music Rooms, Pūkaki, and Kōmanawa. Please feel free to use the school grounds as usual, but take care around work areas.

Have a great weekend!

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 1
Mon 23 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 7/8)
Tue 24 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 Mar - Sat 28 MarSouth Island School MTB Championships
Wed 25 MarBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 26 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 7/8)
Fri 27 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 1 AprPSC Huxster Mountain Biking Event
Wed 1 AprPTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 2 AprLast Day of Term 1
Fri 3 AprGood Friday - School Closed
Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Mon 20 AprFirst Day of Term 2
Wed 22 AprNgā Puna Wai Tournament (Yr 5-8)
Mon 27 AprANZAC Day - School Closed

Citizen of the Week

Stella - Year 5

Stella, you are a magnificent role model in our hub. You are always positive, kind, and thoughtful towards others. You are an incredibly hardworking student, and you consistently demonstrate excellent self-management skills in all that you do. You are a star, Stella!

Kura - Year 4

Kura, you are a highly engaged student who thrives on a challenge. Your inquisitive mind and confidence allow you to make insightful connections across your learning. You embody all of the Beckenham kete values every day. Thank you for always being an outstanding role model in our team!

School Notices

Parking Reminder - 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park on the street nearby. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children.

Furthermore, please do not park in or use the staff carpark entrance or exit - this is for staff and service vehicles only. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

'EZlunch' Lunch Orders

Our school now uses Ezlunch, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love. The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.

You can view the available menu, linked here.

Hardship Fund Contributions

We know that sometimes families, and others in our community, would like to contribute towards the costs for students whose families might be experiencing some hardship, and are not able to readily fund uniforms, stationery, or even lunches. If you, or anyone you know, would like to make a contribution to our hardship account, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz or simply deposit funds into the school bank a/c, Beckenham Te Kura o Pūtoro Board of Trustees - 12 3148 0131641 000, with the reference "Hardship donation". We will ensure that these funds are used to support those families who need support. 

Getting support from our Hardship Fund

If you are a family who would appreciate some support with uniforms, stationery, or food, please contact the office or email accounts@beckenham.school.nz, and we will do the best we can to support you. We want to ensure that all of our tamariki have everything they need to succeed at school.

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This year, we are embracing our te reo Māori and will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), Kīwaha (saying), and Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:

Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!

Whakataukī:Mauria te ponoThis means to believe in yourself!
Whakataukī:He rau ringa e oti aiThis means many hands make light work. So, let’s focus on working together as a team!
Kīwaha:He reka!This means yum!
Kīwaha:WananeiThis means wicked!
Kupu:WeroThis means challenge.
Kupu:AkoThis means to learn.

If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

Chicken Chat

Chicken fact ~ Did you know? Chickens are the closest living relatives to the Tyrannosaurus Rex!

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. 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

Swimming Sports Success 

What a fantastic day we had for our Beckenham Te Kura Swimming Sports! It was wonderful to see our tamariki giving their best in the pool and supporting one another throughout the day. Ka mau te wehi! A huge ka pai to all of our swimmers. You should be incredibly proud of the effort, determination, and positive attitude shown throughout the day. 

Results:
Year 5 Champions: Thalia & Jos 
Year 5 Runner-Ups: Jessica & Mati 

Year 6 Champions: Chloe & Laurence 
Year 6 Runner-Ups: Laurien & James

Year 7 Champions: Harriet, Hazel & Haydn
Year 7 Runner-Ups: Clara & Harvey 

Year 8 Champions: Sarah & Sebastian
Year 8 Runner-Ups: Zaria & Samson

Following our school event, a number of swimmers went on to represent Beckenham Te Kura at the South Zone Swimming Competition, where they achieved some outstanding results against strong competition from across the zone. We are very proud of all the students who represented our kura so well. This event was a fantastic example of what can be achieved through determination, resilience, and supporting one another. As the whakataukī reminds us: “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.” Pursue that which is precious, and if you stumble, let it be upon a lofty mountain.

South Zone - Individual Results:
  • Sebastian: 2nd in 50 m Freestyle, 3rd in 50 m Backstroke, 2nd in 50 m Breaststroke
  • Samson Nuttall: 2nd in 50 m Butterfly
  • Sarah: 2nd in 50 m Freestyle, 1st in 50 m Backstroke, 1st in 100 IM
  • Haydn: 2nd in 50 m Freestyle, 2nd in 50 m Backstroke, 2nd in 50 m Breaststroke
  • Hazel: 2nd in 50 m Freestyle, 3rd in 50 m Backstroke
  • Clara: 3rd in 50 m Freestyle
  • Harriet: 2nd in 50 m Breaststroke, 1st in 50 m Butterfly
  • Chloe: 2nd in 50 m Backstroke, 2nd in 50 m Breaststroke
  • Jos: 2nd in 50 m Freestyle, 2nd in 50 m Backstroke, 1st in 50 m Breaststroke
  • Mati: 1st in 50 m Backstroke
  • Thalia: 1st in 50 m Breaststroke, 2nd in 50 m Butterfly
South Zone - Relay Results (4 x 50 m Mixed Freestyle):
  • Year 8 (Sebastian, Vinnie, Sarah & Harriet): 2nd
  • Year 7 (Haydn, Harvey, Hazel & Clara): 1st
  • Year 6 (Laurence, James, Chloe & Laurien): 2nd
  • Year 5 (Jos, Mati, Amelia & Jessica): 2nd

Year 3/4 Miniball - A successful start to the season 

Our Year 3/4 Miniball teams, the Breakers, Ballers, and Boppers, have had a fantastic start to the season. It has been great to see our players developing their skills, working together as a team, and growing in confidence on the court each week.

Miniball is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn the fundamentals of basketball, and our teams have been doing a great job of supporting one another, showing determination, and giving things a go. Ka pai to all of our players for the effort and enthusiasm they are bringing to each game!

Touch Rugby - Fun for all year levels!

It’s been great to see the continued fun and success across our teams! The photos this week feature our Year 0–2 Fire and our Year 7/8 Eels and Pumas, who have been showing fantastic teamwork, effort, and enthusiasm in their games. Ka pai to all of our players for representing Beckenham Te Kura so well! 

PTA News

Easter Raffle 

Our Easter Raffle is up and running! Thank you for all the donations, and any last-minute donations can be dropped off at the office next week. You should all have a raffle sheet now, with 20 tickets to sell to family, friends, neighbours & workmates. Tickets are $2 each with a range of hampers to be won. Extra sheets are available at the office.

Please return all raffle sheets (sold and unsold) to the office by 3pm on Friday, 27 March.

Payment options:
  • Cash - place in an envelope with the raffles sheet in the box in the office.
  • Kindo app - download the Kindo app and pay online (and don't forget to bring your raffle sheet back to the office!).
All returned raffle sheets will go in a draw to win one of three Easter treats.

MoveX Fundraiser

Thank you to all those who supported our MoveX fundraiser last week! It was a great night, and we raised $660 towards the new shade sails. 

Uniform Shop

We're always on the lookout for fleeces at the uniform shop, so if your child is growing out of theirs, we would love to have it. Donations can be dropped off at the office at any time, or come to the shop on Mondays from 2:45pm to 3:15pm or on Fridays from 8:45am to 9:15am.

BOT Update

Term 1 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, our 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.)

Cashmere Netball Club - Looking for extra Players!

Cashmere Netball Club are currently looking for a few extra players in the following teams:
  • Year 6 - Saturday at Hagley Netball Courts, 11am - x 2 spaces available
  • Year 5 - Saturday at Hagley Netball Courts, 11am - x 4 spaces available
  • We are also still taking registrations for year 3 and 4.

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 6th March 2026

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Principal's Update

Ngā mihi e te whānau,

Our PTA plays an important role in supporting our school. Through their work, they raise funds for key school projects and organise events that help strengthen the sense of community and belonging within our school.

Following the successful fundraising for our new turf (which will be installed later this year), the PTA is now turning its attention to the replacement of the shade sails over our junior playground. The current sails are reaching the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced to ensure our students continue to have a safe, shaded space to play.

There are two ways our community can help support this project. The first is to attend the upcoming MoveX evening session, and the second is to contribute to the Easter raffle. Your support of these events will help us move closer to funding this important project.

The existing shade sails will be taken down at the end of this term, with the new sails planned to be installed in time for the beginning of Term 4. This is an important project that supports the health and safety of our students, particularly during the warmer months.

Thank you to our PTA and wider school community for the continued support you show our school.

Details for both fundraisers are below:

Easter Raffle

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA is excited to be running an Easter Grocery Raffle in Term 1, with all funds raised going directly back into supporting our tamariki and school initiatives.

We will be creating one large family grocery hamper along with smaller themed hampers - and we would love your support to help fill them!

🧺 How You Can Help

We are asking each family (if you are able) to donate one non-perishable grocery item based on your child’s year level:

• Year 0/1: Small Easter treats (e.g. mini eggs, marshmallows, Easter lollies etc)
• Year 2: Sweet baking items (e.g cake mixes, icing, sprinkles etc)
• Year 3: Lunchbox snacks, biscuits & crackers
• Year 4: Bathroom and beauty items (e.g soaps, body wash, hand wash, toothpaste etc)
• Year 5: Breakfast items (e.g cereal, spreads, porridge, honey etc)
• Year 6: Pantry staples (e.g pasta, rice, sauces, canned goods etc)
• Year 7: Drinks (e.g juice boxes, cordial, hot chocolate etc)
• Year 8: Other grocery items (e.g coffee, tea, condiments etc)

Donations don’t need to be big - every little bit helps make our raffle exciting for the tamariki. We truly appreciate any support you can give.

📦 Drop-Off Details

Please drop your item to the School Office over the next two weeks into the Easter box. 

Raffle tickets will go on sale soon for whānau to sell, with the draw taking place in Week 9 before Easter.

Thank you for supporting this PTA fundraiser - your generosity helps create wonderful opportunities for our tamariki.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 1
Wed 11 MarSchool Photos (All Students, Except NE)
Thu 12 MarKauri Team Mount Vernon & Waltham Pool Trip
Fri 13 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Fri 13 MarPTA MoveX Fundraiser
Thu 19 MarCJCA Girls Smash Cricket Festival (Yr 5/6)
Thu 19 MarKōwhai Scooter Skills
Mon 23 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 7/8)
Tue 24 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 Mar - Sat 28 MarSouth Island School MTB Championships
Wed 25 MarBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 26 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 7/8)
Fri 27 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 1 AprPSC Huxster Mountain Biking Event
Wed 1 AprPTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 2 AprLast Day of Term 1
Fri 3 AprGood Friday - School Closed
Mon 20 AprFirst Day of Term 2

Citizen of the Week

Max - Year 8

Max, you are an extremely positive and enthusiastic member of the Kauri hub. You consistently demonstrate the school values and you approach everything calmly and thoughtfully. You are a natural leader through your actions. Tino pai!

Corben - Year 6

Corben, you are a wonderful friend and a dedicated, hardworking student. The contributions you make to our learning environment are thoughtful and genuinely valued. Keep sharing that fantastic smile and continuing to make our classroom such a positive, welcoming place for everyone.

School Notices

Road Patrol

No matter the weather, our dedicated Road Patrol team is out there keeping us safe as we cross Sandwich Road. This week, they have had a refresher session with Constable Meg. They are doing a great job.

Please make sure that you cross the road at this designated space. Sandwich Road can be a busy place at drop-off and pick-up times.

We Get There Together.

Our School Timetable

TimeActivity
8:30 am – 8:55 amStudents arrive at school and prepare for the day
8:55 am – 9:00 amStudents go to class, and the morning roll is taken.
9:00 am – 10:30 amLearning time
10:30 am – 10:50 amPlay time
10:50 am – 11:00 amKai time (morning tea)
11:00 am – 12:40 pmLearning time
12:40 pm – 1:20 pmPlay time
1:20 pm – 1:40 pmKai time (lunch eating), the afternoon roll is taken.
1:40 pm – 3:00 pmLearning time
3:00 pmHome time
3:15 pmClearing bell rings (any children that are not collected by this time report to the office)

Public Health Nurse Notice

My name is Holly and I am the Public Health Nurse for your school. The Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) work with tamariki and their whānau where health and wellbeing concerns impact on their home and school lives. 
Please contact me if you have any health concerns for your tamariki.

waea pūkoro: 03 383 6877 ext: 99628, 0272843397 
īmēra: holly.cummings@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This year, we are embracing our te reo Māori, and will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), Kīwaha (saying), and Kupu (word) each week. Here is the last two weeks new te reo we have focused on:

Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!

Whakataukī: Whakarite ngā kete mō te haerenga! - This means filling our kete for the journey. Who knows where this saying can be found?
Whakataukī: Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te aroha - This means it’s the thought that counts. 

Kīwaha: Paia! - this means Awesome!
Kīwaha: Mē he tē! - this means like a boss!

Kupu: Āe - this means yes.
Kupu: Kāore - this means no.

If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

Chicken Chat

Our silkies are settling well into their routine and life here at Beckenham Te Kura. They are well cared for and have an incredible roster of students who are part of the 'Chicken team' taking care of their cage cleaning and water/feeding needs throughout the week. Monday to Thursday are timetabled 'chicken experience days' for the tamariki, and on Fridays, the chickens have a rest day. 

Chicken fact ~ Did you know? Chickens can eat egg shells, and it helps them to lay more eggs!

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. 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

Embracing the Challenge at the New Brighton XRace

Last weekend, Jess and her Dad took part in the XRace in New Brighton, and it was an exciting day all around. Jess was thrilled to finish first place in her age group — a fantastic achievement!

For those unfamiliar with XRace, it’s a family adventure race filled with mystery challenges and fun obstacles that teams must complete together. Along the course, Jess and her Dad tackled activities like a three-legged race (not easy when Dad’s legs are so much longer!), crossword puzzles, piggyback rides, and plenty of running between stations. Most importantly, it was a fun and memorable day out for both of them.

It was also great to spot around half a dozen other Beckenham tamariki taking part alongside their adults. Seeing so many members of our community involved and enjoying the challenges was fantastic, and they were all clearly demonstrating one of our school values — “We Love Challenge.”

Year 0–2 Touch Rugby: Beckenham Fire & Beckenham Sharks 

Our Year 0–2 Touch Rugby teams, the Fire and the Sharks, have been having a fantastic time on the field! The tamariki have shown great enthusiasm, teamwork, and determination each week as they learn the game and support one another. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow while having lots of fun playing touch rugby together. Ka pai to all our players! 

Year 7 Relay Team Takes 1st at South Zones!

Congratulations to our Year 7 relay swimming team (Hazel, Harvey, Haydn, and Clara) who placed 1st at the South Zones swimming competition. This is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to their teamwork and effort in the pool. We are very proud of how they represented our school.
I will share more results and highlights from South Zones in the next newsletter, so keep an eye out for those!

PTA News

MoveX

We're looking forward to seeing you at MoveX next Friday, 13th March, 6pm to 8pm. We will have the place to ourselves, and the more the merrier (and more funds for the school). Grab your tickets here! Just $20 for 2 hours jumping, bring friends and family. Supervising adults don't need to pay. 

Easter Grocery Raffle

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA is excited to be running an Easter Grocery Raffle in Term 1, with all funds raised going directly back into supporting our tamariki and school initiatives.

Drop-Off Details

Please drop your item to the School Office over the next two weeks into the Easter box. 
Raffle tickets will go on sale soon for whānau to sell, with the draw taking place in Week 9 before Easter.
Thank you for supporting this PTA fundraiser!

Entertainment Book

And finally now is good time to order an Entertainment Book with $30 coming back to the school for all purchases in March. 
To get your membership follow this link here.
Ngā mihi nui,
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA

BOT Update

Welcome, New Board Member - Iwi Representative - Jess Tarawa

Term 1 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, our 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.)

Speaking 4 the Planet Competition 2026

The theme this year is based on SDG 2: Zero Hunger - Seeding Change: Feast for the Future.
Here is a link to the information booklet which offers support in getting to grips with the theme as well as detailed requirements for the 3 sections:
  • Prepared Speech, 
  • Spoken Word Poetry 
  • Visual Art
Registrations of interest to compete can be made via this Google Form link before Friday 24th April. Finals day is Friday June 26th at Tūranga. 
If you have any questions or concerns, please email chchnzaee@gmail.com

Free Kid's Easter Holiday Programme

Celebrity Netball - School Discounted Tickets

The Cancer Society has created a discounted promo code for our school community who would like to attend a Celebrity Netball Game at the new Parakiore Recreation & Sports Centre.

The event is an exciting, feel-good community event, it is the One Goal: Beat Cancer Harcourts Grenadier Celebrity Netball Game. 

This high-profile, high-energy event brings together sports stars, media personalities, and local legends for a fun, action-packed match, all in support of the Cancer Society.  Keep an eye on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cancersocietysouthern as we announce the players.

Two star-studded teams, captained by iconic Kiwi personalities, will battle it out on court to raise awareness and funds for families facing cancer. Every goal helps people stay at the Canterbury Cancer Centre while they receive life-saving treatment.

Unlock your exclusive 33% discount by booking via the link below and entering the password (special rate: $20 per adult and $10 per child – 14 years & under).

URL: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=ONEGOAL26&EP=PLAYER26

Password: PLAYER26

Please note: this code is valid until Monday, 16 March, so be sure to book early. We’ve made it easy and affordable for everyone to be part of the action.

The venue:
Parakiore Recreation & Sport Centre — the largest aquatic and indoor recreation and leisure venue of its kind in New Zealand.

Event programme – Sunday, 22 March 2026

1:30 pm – Doors open
1:30 – 3:00 pm – Coaching sessions & pre-game entertainment
2:30 – 3:30 pm – Celebrity introductions
3:30 – 4:30 pm – The Celebrity Netball Game

Celebrate International Women’s Day – Women & Girls "Have A Go" Table Tennis NZ Event

Celebrate International Women’s Day by joining the Women & Girls "Have A Go" event in Canterbury.
  • Sunday 8th March 2026 
  • 10:00am – 4:30pm
  • Table Tennis Canterbury, 294 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
This free event is part of a nationwide TTNZ initiative encouraging women and girls of all ages and abilities to try table tennis in a fun, welcoming environment. No experience is needed and all equipment is provided.

For more information and to register, follow this link:
https://tabletennis.org.nz/tournaments/national-tournament-calendar/women-and-girls-have-go

Sydenham Rugby Club Registrations are open!

Follow the link here

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 20th February 2026

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Principal's Update

Ngā mihi e te whānau,

It has been an outstanding start to the year, with so much already achieved in a short time. Our students have settled confidently into their learning spaces, new staff and whānau have been warmly welcomed, and there is a strong sense of belonging and purpose across the school. Over the past weeks, our main focus has been on building positive relationships, establishing routines, and setting clear expectations for success. As we now move into the next phase of the term, our focus shifts fully to the implementation of rich learning programmes, with a clear intention: to support every ākonga to grow, thrive, and reach their potential in 2026.

Keeping Our Children Safe on Sandwich Road

A reminder that student safety is everyone’s responsibility, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day.
  • The speed limit in the Beckenham Loop is 30km/h - please ensure you are travelling at or below this speed.
  • Kiss and Go parks are for quick drop-offs only - they are not for parking.
  • Please do not stop or park on yellow lines when dropping off or collecting children.
  • Take extra care when driving through the pedestrian crossing, especially in wet weather.
This week, our Road Patrol students were hit with waves of water when vehicles travelled too quickly through the crossing in the rain. Our Year 6 leaders take their responsibility seriously, and we need drivers to model the same level of care and respect.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

Kapa Haka, Mentoring & Music

We are thrilled to welcome back our Kapa Haka tutor Cath, who is looking forward to building on the success of last year. Kapa Haka continues to be a source of pride for our school, strengthening identity, culture and confidence.

We also warmly welcome back Paerau from Tuahiwi Education, who will be mentoring students in Years 5 - 8 to support engagement and attendance. We are fortunate to have both of these skilled educators working alongside our tamariki.

Music lessons are now underway, with a significant proportion of our students involved in a wide range of instruments and vocal tuition. It is wonderful to see such strong participation in the arts across the school. Thank you to the tutors from CSM and OCSM who provide such a valuable outlet for creativity within our school. 

Property Update - Ministry Pilot Programme

We are pleased to share that Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has been accepted into the Ministry of Education’s pilot programme for retrofitting walls into open-plan learning spaces.

Work in the Pūkaki and Kōmanawa blocks has been approved, with the aim of completing the retrofitting as soon as possible. This will support improved acoustics, flexibility, and learning conditions for our students and staff. We look forward to sharing progress with you. Work has begun to explore concepts retrofitting walls in the Tahaki and Parenga buildings.

Weetbix TRYathlon

We want to wish all of our students representing our school in the Weet-Bix TRYathlon this Sunday all the very best.

Our school has a proud tradition of being well represented and successful at this event. A huge thank you to the PTA for organising the school gazebo as a focal point for our collective efforts and support on the day.

Good luck to all competitors - we are proud of you!

Ngā mihi nui
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 1
Wed 25 FebBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 26 FebSchool Swimming Sports Event
Fri 27 FebCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 4 MarPTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 5 MarZone Swimming Sports
Wed 11 MarSchool Photos (All Students, Except NE)
Thu 12-13 MarKauri Team Sleepover TBC
Fri 13 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Fri 13 MarPTA MoveX Fundraiser
Thu 19 MarCJCA Girls Smash Cricket Festival (Yr 5/6)
Thu 19 MarKōwhai Scooter Skills
Mon 23 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 7/8)
Tue 24 MarCanterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 5/6)
Wed 25 Mar - Sat 28 MarSouth Island School MTB Championships
Wed 25 MarBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 26 MarCanterbury Swimming Event (Yr 7/8)
Fri 27 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 1 AprPSC Huxster Mountain Biking Event
Wed 1 AprPTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 2 AprLast Day of Term 1
Fri 3 AprGood Friday - School Closed
Mon 20 AprFirst Day of Term 2

Citizen of the Week

Zelda - Year 4

Zelda, you are an outstanding role model in the Kōwhai hub. You are a focused learner and you put every effort into producing quality work. You are also a kind and caring friend and you help to make a difference by working hard to keep our hub tidy and clean. Thank you, Zelda!

Atticus - Year 5

Atticus, you are a standout member of our classroom and a natural role model for your peers. You consistently balance a helpful, supportive nature with a bright sense of humor that brings genuine joy and laughter to our kura. Most impressively, you have a unique ability to make those around you feel comfortable and included, creating a positive atmosphere for everyone. Keep it up Atticus!

School Notices

Financial Statements

You will have received your student's financial statement last week. We greatly appreciate all contributions you are able to make towards donations to help make a positive difference to our curriculum and the activities we are able to provide.

Donation payments, including camp and ski trip donations, are able to be submitted for the Donation Tax Credits from the Inland Revenue. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments if you meet the eligibility criteria. Payments made by 31st March can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31st March 2026.

If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or if you wish to find out more about setting up payment instalments and claiming the donation tax credits, you can refer to the Finance and Annual Donation page of our website.

Student account payments may be made in part or full to the school bank account - ASB Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board - 12 3148 0131641 000 using your child's name as a reference.

The school office also has Eftpos facilities available.

If you have any queries, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz

Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles

Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied, and with a named school hat and drink bottle. Hats are compulsory in Term 1 and Term 4.

Reminder - 'EZlunch' Lunch Orders

From Term 1, 2026 our school will be using Ezlunch, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love. The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.

Parents/caregivers can order using the Kindo app (iPhone and Android) and choose from a range of convenient payment options, including card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and more. The system also includes helpful allergen alerts and automated reminders, so no one misses out on lunch day.
Ezlunch is free for schools, reduces admin time, and makes it easier for families to stay organised.

We’re excited to offer this service to our school community.

Parking Reminder - 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park on the street nearby. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children. Furthermore, please do not park in or block the staff carpark entrance or exit - this is for staff and service vehicles only. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Food Allergy Guidelines

Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.
To support the well-being of these students, we have the following guidelines in place, which we ask you to please follow.
  • All students should only eat lunches and snacks that have been provided by their caregivers.  
  • Bottles, other drinks, and lunch boxes provided by caregivers should be clearly labelled with the name of their child.  Home group teachers and caregivers will decide where the children’s bottles and lunch boxes will be kept during the day to ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
  • Parents are asked not to bring food into school to be shared with other children.  Whilst we understand that there are times you want to celebrate special events for your children with their friends at school, e.g., birthdays or being awarded prizes, by bringing food and treats for them to share, we have a policy of children only eating the food that their whānau have prepared and sent with them.  We have a number of students with food allergies, and we also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children to eat food they have prepared. From time to time, there may be an event that teachers have organised that will involve food (cultural or learning activities), and they will have advised families in advance that this will be happening.  
  • At the beginning of each year, caregivers will need to check the expiry dates on any medication to be held at school.  
Caregivers may be asked to come and talk to staff about their child’s specific health needs and ways we can support them at school.
We will inform you during the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change. 
Our full allergy policy and guidelines are available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under Information - Policies - SchoolDocs, then search ‘allergy’.
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them in the first instance with your child’s home group teacher.

Medication at School

If a child requires medication at school on a long- or short-term basis, parents/caregivers need to complete a medicine authority form with Jacky, Alisa, or Chloe in the office. Procedures are followed to ensure that it is kept securely, and administered appropriately.

Any medication that is required to be kept at school on an ongoing basis, expiry dates need to be checked regularly by parents/caregivers. If the school notices an expiry date is due, parents/caregivers will be advised.
Parents/caregivers are asked to please update the school on any medical/health information about their child by contacting the school office.

Public Health Nurse Notice

My name is Holly and I am the Public Health Nurse for your school. The Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) work with tamariki and their whānau where health and wellbeing concerns impact on their home and school lives. 
Please contact me if you have any health concerns for your tamariki.

waea pūkoro: 03 383 6877 ext: 99628, 0272843397 
īmēra: holly.cummings@tewhatuora.govt.nz

School Uniform

Our school uniform has been thoughtfully designed to be affordable, inclusive, practical, and flexible for all students. It is gender-neutral, allowing students to mix and match items according to their preferences and comfort.

Many uniform items are easy-wear and available at a wide range of clothing stores, giving families the freedom to choose based on their own preferences. 
For your convenience, the school has partnered with Mainland Uniforms to stock and supply uniform items. These can be purchased in-store at their Peterborough Street location or online at http://www.mainlanduniforms.co.nz.
While Mainland Uniforms offers monogrammed polar fleece jackets and sweatshirts with the school name, these monogrammed items are not compulsory.

If purchasing uniform items from other suppliers, we simply ask that they are consistent in style and colour with the school’s uniform guidelines.

We aim to provide a uniform that supports student choice and comfort while maintaining a sense of belonging and school identity.

Uniform - Choose from:

Plain black culottes
Black and white gingham culottes
Black and white gingham dress
Plain Black track pants
Plain Black shorts
Red polar fleece jacket
Red polo shirt (long or short-sleeved)
Red fleece sweatshirt
Plain red zip Merino top

School Footwear
School shoes must be practical, safe, and suitable for active children. Flat shoes in brown, black, blue, or white are acceptable. Plain runners (sports shoes) are also suitable. 
We ask that any branding or writing on shoes be kept to a minimum.
Students should not wear jandals, crocs, platform shoes, or boots that extend above the ankle. 

Hair Accessories
Plain black/red headbands, ties, ribbons or clips.

Hats
Children can choose either plain red or plain black wide-brimmed or bucket hats - these can be purchased from a range of suppliers.

House Shirts
House shirts may be purchased through the school office for $30. These are not compulsory. 
House shirts may be worn on Fridays and designated house activity days instead of the red polo shirt.

Thermals
Plain red or black thermals may be worn during winter terms 2 and 3 under polo shirts.

Jewellery
One piece of jewellery of cultural significance may be worn under clothing. It may be displayed on formal school occasions.
One pair of plain ear studs can be worn. Sleepers are not appropriate for school as they can catch and tear the earlobe. No facial or body piercing is permitted. 

Nail Polish and Makeup
Wearing nail polish or makeup is not part of the school dress code and is generally not permitted during school hours. Exceptions may be made for special occasions such as drama productions, fashion parades, or kapa haka performances.

Special Activities Require Specific Clothes
Year 7 and 8 students are required to wear closed-toe shoes and have their hair tied back when participating in Technology classes in the Foods and Product Design rooms at Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate.

Sports Uniforms
We maintain a stock of sports uniforms available for loan to students who are representing the school in sports competitions.

Swimming
Students are required to wear togs or tankinis for swimming; bikinis and underwear are not permitted.

Gumboots
Children are encouraged to wear gumboots on wet days, and to bring a pair of slippers, or suitable inside shoes, to change into in the classroom.

Second Hand Uniform
An extensive range of reasonably priced second-hand uniform items is available through our School PTA Uniform Shop, open: Mondays 2:45pm - 3:15pm and Fridays 8:45am - 9:15am.

Seniors’ Jacket (optional)
Senior jackets are worn only by students in Years 7 and 8. They are available from Mainland Uniforms and are an optional part of the school uniform.

Welcome Alisha - Student Teacher

We are very lucky to have a speech-language therapy student completing a placement at our kura this term. Her name is Alisha and she will be supported during this placement by Lisa Collier (speech-language therapist and teacher). She will be on site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

"A little bit about me, I am 21, and while originally from Amberley, I spent most of my life growing up in Waimate, completing my primary and secondary schooling there. My mother is an early childhood teacher, and my father works for the district council. I have two younger brothers, one 19 and the other 16. I have recently moved to Timaru, so university for me is part correspondence and part travelling to Christchurch for placements. In the last few months, I’ve started work as an early childhood relief teacher in my spare time. When I’m not studying or working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family or my new kitten Monty. I love baking and cooking, creating art, reading, or playing guitar. My career aspirations are to work with tamariki in early intervention services in rural areas such as Timaru and the surrounding districts, helping to extend access to services for those with already limited opportunities. I get so much joy from working with tamariki, and being able to help not only those with speech and language difficulties but all tamariki, to fully express and advocate for themselves through any means of communication allowing them to be their truest self and reaching their own full potential is one of the greatest end goals of what I hope to achieve for every tamaiti I meet."

Celebrating Student Achievements - Mihi-Rose

Well done to Mihi-Rose for her incredibly brave performance. Recently performing for 700 children and staff at Rangi, accompanied by Ranui on guitar. 

Her Aunty is a teacher there, and originally the song was just going to be for the te reo class, but it ended up being an assembly performance! Mihi-Rose was incredibly brave and memorized some complex te reo lyrics.

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. 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

PTA News

We’re looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Weetbix Tryathlon this Sunday 22nd February! Come and find the gazebo to meet up with everyone and enjoy an ice pop after the Tryathlon!

MoveX Fundraiser – Friday 13th March 

Get ready for an action-packed evening of fun at our Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA MoveX Fundraiser!
Join us on Friday 13th March from 6–8pm for a high-energy session at MoveX that’s open to all ages. Bring the kids, bring your friends, and come along for a fantastic night of jumping, laughter and community fun — all while supporting our school.
  • Tickets are $20 each (supervising adults do not need to buy tickets)
  • Limited to 150 tickets – so get in quick!
To secure your spot, simply fill out this Google Form and complete payment. 

We’d love to see as many of our school whānau there as possible. Don’t miss out —book your tickets today!

BOT Update

Term 1 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, our 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.)

Community Piano Lessons

Hi my name is Aimee. I am a piano teacher with over 20 years experience. My studio is in Cashmere. Please contact me on 021 136 2865 or aimeeaiken@gmail.com

For further details follow this link. 

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Final Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāpare (Thursday) 5th February 2026

Posted on by

Principal's Update

Ngā mihi e te whānau,

We have experienced a wonderfully settled beginning to the 2026 school year. This year we are starting the school year with a new organisation of our learning spaces, and our students and staff have adapted extremely well to this new way of working together.

A heartfelt thank you to our staff who did so much work in the lead-up to students arriving, and to our whānau for ensuring your children were so well prepared to return to school.

Waitangi Day 2026

As we acknowledge Waitangi Day, we take time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand and to reflect on what it means for us as a school community. At Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, our commitment to Te Tiriti is reflected in how we value partnership, protection and participation in our everyday practice - through culturally responsive teaching, the growing use of te reo Māori, strong connections with whānau, and learning environments where all ākonga feel seen, respected and able to succeed.

Welcome to Our New Staff Members for 2026!

We are excited to introduce the newest members of our team for the upcoming year:

Sarah Spence - Kahikatea Team
Kate Meder - Pōhutukawa Team

Sarah and Kate have shared a brief bio in this newsletter, so you can get to know them a little better.

Welcome Assembly

We are looking forward to welcoming our new ākonga (students) and their whānau (families) to our school next Friday. It is always inspiring to see the many cultures and countries represented in our flag ceremony.

Staff Only Days

In the lead-up to the start of the school year, staff spent three days engaged in professional learning and preparation. One of these days was facilitated by Autism New Zealand, where staff completed the Tilting the Seesaw course.

The remaining days were spent together focusing on Setting Up for Success, with key themes of ensuring consistent approaches across the school, building strong relationships, and maintaining high expectations to support every student’s success.

Learning Conferences

Thank you for taking the time to meet with your child’s homeroom teacher, either last Friday or Monday of this week. We see these conferences as a fundamental step in developing strong learning partnerships that will support your child to thrive throughout the year. If, for any reason, you were unable to attend, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher so that an opportunity to connect can be arranged.

Attendance

As you may know, one of the government’s key education targets is for 80% of students to attend school for more than 90% of the term. This is a goal we are committed to achieving as we start the school year, and we are committed to supporting all of our students in maintaining regular attendance.

In 2023, the Education Review Office (ERO) published Attendance: Getting Back to School - A Guide for Parents and Whānau. Overall, ERO reported that ‘We found lots of evidence that regular attendance has a big impact: the more often children attend school, the better they do at school, the happier they are, and the better they are set up for life.’
This guide also offers practical tips for whānau to help support their child’s regular attendance, many of which you may find useful to implement at home:
  • Talk to your child about how school is important for their future, and how it is important to go every day. Be positive about school!
  • Make sure your child knows that you care if they are going to school.
  • Only take your child out of school when there is a really good reason, like if they are sick.
  • Have a consistent morning routine, not too rushed.
  • Help your child to be prepared for school, like making sure they have done their homework the night before.

Morning Drop-Offs

To help your child start the school day positively, we encourage parents to leave once they have dropped their child off at the classroom, ideally before the bell rings at 8:55 a.m. This supports a smooth transition from being in your care to settling with their homeroom teacher, ensuring they are ready for learning.

A reminder of our 2026 term dates can be viewed here: 

Have a restful weekend.

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming Events Term 1
Fri 6 Feb - Waitangi Day - School Closed
Tue 10 Feb - Year 7&8 Technology Starts
Wed 11 Feb - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:00pm, Staff Room)
Fri 13 Feb - Welcome Assembly (9:10-9:30am, Hall)
Tue 17 Feb - PSC Triathlon
Wed 18 Feb - Kōwhai Top Team Event
Wed 25 Feb - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 25 Feb - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room) TBC
Thu 26 Feb - School Swimming Sports Event
Fri 27 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 4 Mar - School Photos (All Students, Except NE)
Thu 5 Mar - Zone Swimming Sports
Thu 12 Mar - Kauri Team Sleepover TBC
Fri 13 Mar - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Thu 19 Mar - Kōwhai Scooter Skills
Wed 25 Mar - Canterbury Swimming Event Year 5&6
Thu 26 Mar - Canterbury Swimming Event Year 7&8
Wed 25 Mar - Sat 28 Mar - South Island School MTB Championships
Wed 25 Mar - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 25 Mar - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room) TBC
Fri 27 Mar - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 1 Apr - PSC Huxster Mountain Biking Event
Thu 2 Apr - Last Day of Term 1
Fri 3 Apr - Good Friday - School Closed
Mon 20 Apr - First Day of Term 2

School Notices

Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles

Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied, and with a named school hat and drink bottle. Hats are compulsory in Term 1 and Term 4.

EZlunch - Reminder Lunch Orders

From Term 1, 2026 our school will be using Ezlunch, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love. The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.

Parents/caregivers can order using the Kindo app (iPhone and Android) and choose from a range of convenient payment options, including card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and more. The system also includes helpful allergen alerts and automated reminders, so no one misses out on lunch day.
Ezlunch is free for schools, reduces admin time, and makes it easier for families to stay organised.

We’re excited to offer this service to our school community.

Parking - 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park on the street nearby. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children. Furthermore, please do not park in or block the staff carpark entrance or exit - this is for staff and service vehicles only. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Offsite Learning Agreements

Kia ora whānau,
If your child will be attending any Board approved offsite learning, please would you email pa@beckenham.school.nz to request an 'Offsite Learning Agreement' form be emailed to you to complete, sign, and return to school. This year we require an agreement be completed each term.

Examples of Board Approved Offsite Learning:
  • Mind Plus
  • Farm / Forest School
  • Offsite tutoring
  • Regular Speech Language Therapy, Counselling, Play Therapy etc.
  • Riding for the Disabled

Staff Profiles

Kate Meder - Pohutukawa (Year 5/6) 

Kia ora koutou,

Ko wai au?
Ko Aoraki tōku maunga,
Ko Waitaki tōku awa,
Ko Takitimu tōku waka,
Ko Kāti Māmoe tōku iwi,
I tipu ake au i Darfield
Kei Ōtautahi tōku kainga inaianei.
Ko Meder tōku ingoa whānau,
Ko Kate tōku ingoa.

Kia ora, I am super excited to be joining Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto this year! I grew up in a small town called Darfield, and I now live in New Brighton. I have spent the past 8 years teaching at Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate, which I loved and learnt so much from. I am looking forward to teaching in a full primary and getting to know the school community. When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy being outdoors, reading, travelling, and spending time with whānau and friends. Please feel free to come and say hello if you see me around school!

Sarah Spence - Kahikatea (Year 1/2) 

Kia ora, tēnā koutou,
My name is Sarah Spence, and I will be teaching in the Kahikatea hub this year.
I'm so excited to join the team and get to know the tamariki and their whānau better.
My previous job role was as an ECE head teacher, and my passion is based in social and emotional resilience and supporting tamariki to achieve the absolute best from their school years. 
This can look different for every child and I cannot wait to work alongside you all to make this happen.
In my spare time I love Clubbercise, hill walking with my boys, reading and caring for my guinea pigs.

Chicken Chat

In fluffy news! The chicks are now settled into their incredible henhouse behind BOSCO, in amongst the vegetable and fruit gardens. 

We now have 8 Chinese Silkie chickens living at our Kura, 4x white, 1x black, 2x lavender and 1x ginger (buff). They have Elvis Presley hair styles, feathery ugg boots and fluffy coats all over.

The chickens ascend their chicken ramp every evening to perch and roost inside together until the dawn breaks and they file back down the ramp. Once on the ground, they go about their busy days, scratching and pecking curiously, sunbathing and snuggling in groups, eating and drinking, and enjoying their ever-changing happy new home.

Sports News

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. 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

PTA News

To stay up to date with the PTA, please check out our Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Facebook page, linked here. Or come along to one of our meetings - all welcome.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, 11th of February, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, in the Staff Room.

MoveX Fundraiser Coming Soon!

Please also keep a lookout for a fun MoveX fundraiser coming soon on Friday, the 13th of March.

BOT Update

Term 1 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, our 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.)

Love Letter to the World Poetry Competition 2026

Details:
  • free entry and no limit on the number entries;
  • max 30 lines/poem;  
  • entries as a PDF attachment to an email to: Lindsay@resilienz.co.nz, and must have “Poetry Competition” as the subject line.
  • Emails must be received on or before Valentine’s Day 2026 – Sat 14th Feb.
  • Junior and open categories – junior must still be 13 or under on 14th February.
For more information please view: