Author Archives: Chloe Miller

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 18th July 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to Term 3


We've had a fantastic start to the term, and it's been great to see students outside enjoying the winter sunshine. The school feels calm and settled - a reflection of the efforts and contributions of everyone in our community.


Over the course of the holidays, the hall was refurbished, the Kōmanawa block was completed, trees were trimmed, and two new shade umbrellas were installed in the junior playground. Thank you to the Board and PTA for their support in helping make these improvements happen.


Working Bee - This Sunday


A big thank you in advance to those members of our community and staff who will be taking part in the working bee this Sunday. Giving the school grounds a refresh will make a visible and positive difference for everyone.


If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late! Please use the link below to sign up and get involved.


https://shorturl.at/gl6OF

Welcome Assembly
This morning, we warmly welcomed our new students, staff, and their whānau/families to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. It is a real privilege to have you join our learning community.

We look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the year to support and realise the aspirations you hold for your children.

Mid Winter Breakfast

On Wednesday morning next week, our Annual Mid-Winter Breakfast will take place. This is another wonderful event coordinated by our PTA, offering the opportunity for our community to come together, share kai/food, and make a non-perishable food donation to the City Mission. It’s also a fun chance for students, whānau/families, and staff to wear their favourite pyjamas to school. It would great to see as many of you as possible at this event - look out for more info from PTA coming soon. 

Cycling Success

Last weekend, Zach, Dylan, Archie, and Daniel from our school competed in the South Island Road Cycling Championships. They took part in both the time trials and the road race.

In his age group, Zach finished first - an outstanding achievement! As a team, they placed 7th overall in points, making them the top team in the South Island in the Year 7/8 division.

These students have been fantastic ambassadors for our school - well done!


Have a great weekend and hopefully we see you at our Working Bee. 

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa / Many thanks to you all,

Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Sun 20 Jul - Working Bee (9:00-12:30pm School Grounds)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Mid Winter Breakfast (8:00-8:30am in the Hall)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 25 Jul - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Sun 27 Jul - Backup Working Bee (If rained off on 20th, 9:00-12:30pm School Grounds)
Wed 30 July - Cyber Safety Evening - Behind the Screens (7:00-8:00pm)
Thu 31 Jul - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 8 Aug - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 22 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Mon 25 Aug - Fri 29 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Wed 27 Aug - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 27 Aug - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 5 Sept - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 12 Sept - Staff Only Day

Citizen of the Week

April - Year 4

April, you are a shining star who exemplifies our school values every day. You always approach new learning with a growth mindset and strive to do your best. In our hub, you make a positive difference by being a reliable helper, a trusted role model, and a caring friend to your peers. Kia kaha tō mahi, April!

Britta - Year 6

Britta, you are an extremely kind, friendly, and enthusiastic member of our team! Your bubbly and positive attitude shines through everything you do, and you are consistently hardworking and reliable. You are a wonderful role model to others. Well done, Britta!

School Notices

Parent/Caregiver Evening: Behind the Screens - Internet Safety Tips for Home

Raising kids in the digital age isn’t easy and you’re not alone. Should your child have Discord? What are V-Bucks? Is it safe to let them keep their phone overnight? Join us for a practical, entertaining evening hosted by Attitude that will help you feel more confident about parenting in the online world.

You’ll leave with smart tips, tools you can use straight away, and a better understanding of how to guide your child through the digital space without panic or overreaction. Come find out if you're a Firewall Parent, an Open Source Parent, or a Bluetooth Parent—and why it matters.

When: 7–8pm, Wednesday 30th July.
Where: Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Hall.
Who: This event is for parents/caregivers only.
Cost: Free to attend. A small koha (donation) is appreciated to help support the cost of this event.

Please complete this form to let us know if you are attending.

Parking in the 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. 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.

Food Allergy Guidelines

Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.

To support the wellbeing of these students we have the following guidelines in place which we ask you to 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 also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children just 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.  
  • On the first day of school, caregivers will need to bring their child’s medication to the school office. Caregivers will need to sign a medicine authority form (School Docs). The responsibility of monitoring the expiry dates of medications rests with the parent.
  • 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.

School Working Bee - Reminder Last Chance to Register

We’re organising a working bee to help tidy up and improve our school grounds — weeding, sweeping, pruning, clearing leaves, and general outdoor maintenance. Many hands make light work, and even an hour or two would make a big difference!

When: Sunday 20th July (with Sunday 27th July as a backup if it’s rained off), 9:00 am -12:30 pm
Where: School grounds
What to bring: Gloves, tools (if you have them), and your enthusiasm!

If you can help, please let us know by filling out this quick form:

Staff Only Day

Please note, we have planned a staff only day on Friday 12 September, with a focus on our teaching staff engaging with the refreshed Mathematics Curriculum. Thank you for your advance understanding.

Kupu Māori o te Wīki:

This term we are continuing looking at a new kupu (word) and a kīwaha (saying) of the week. Something new we are going to do is look at the waiata each week. Give them a go! Remember, Nau mai te wero, We Love Challenge!

Kīwaha: Paia! - This means Awesome!

Waiata: Māori Alphabet.

Kupu: Makariri - this means cold.

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.

BOSCO

BOSCO is looking for new members to join our committee. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Harriet Takamore via email or pop on in when you have the chance to chat.

You would be joining a lovely bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the service BOSCO provides and being a part of its future.

BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings.

If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.

A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.

Harriet Takamore | Programme Leader | BOSCO Incorporated

office@bosco.org.nz | 027 645 6632

BOT Update

2025 Triennial Elections

The nomination process for our School Board elections has started and nominations are now open. We have 4 spaces for parent representatives on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Board. We have appointed Schooled Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for the election, they will be handling the election process and you will see communications directly from them.

The School Board is a key part of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto because they do a lot of important things behind the scenes that, while they may not be visible, are really important to keeping Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto running. Our School Board oversees the development our strategic plan, consults with our community about things that matter, makes sure our finances are being spent wisely and ensures that we are giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. Our board is made up of six parent representatives, the Tumuaki/Principal and a staff rep elected by the staff.

Everyone who is eligible to vote in the election will receive a nomination pack (either via email or post). The info pack will contain everything you need to nominate yourself or another member of the community. (If you are going to nominate someone else, just make sure they know about it and will accept the nomination!). It will also include information about who isn't able to be a School Board member.

They will use your contact details for the provision of election services for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto only and your details will be deleted 60 days after the election date as required by legislation. 

If you have any questions about the election process or need extra forms, or want a copy of the nomination form in Te Reo Māori or another language, just contact the Returning Officer from Election Pilot directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz.

Don't leave things to the last minute, because elections close at 12 noon on Wednesday, 6th August. You can email in your nomination, complete it online at www.boardelections.nz or fill it in and drop it off to the school office. You can also send in a candidate statement and smiling photo with your nomination as well.

A copy of the electoral roll is kept at the school office and is available to be checked during usual school office hours. 

Voting will end at 4pm on our election date Wednesday, 10th September.

We will continue to keep you updated through the various stages of the election process.

Term 3 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”.
This term, the scheduled review focuses on student wellbeing and safety policies within the Health, Safety, and Welfare Policy section. If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Staffing Update

Nau mai haere mai ki te Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto kaimahi. 

Alisa 

Welcome to Alisa, joining our admin team as Office Support.
Alisa was born and raised in Christchurch and lives locally with her husband and two primary school aged children. She loves to bake, cook, watch her children's sports and get outdoors walking with friends in her spare time. She is looking forward to getting to know our kura community. Feel free to introduce yourself next time you are in the office.

Jenny

Welcome back to Jenny - joining our Kahikatea Year 1/2 team. Jenny has previously worked at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto for a number of years.

Sports News

South Island Road Racing Championship

Congratulations to the members of our team for the South Island road cycling championships who won silver in their team trial event. They showed great sportmanship, working together as a team, crossing the finish line all together. Furthermore they also placed 7th out of 31 schools in the overall scores tally!

PTA News

Thank you to everyone who ordered Cookie Time cookies, every little bit helps! Hopefully they have all been picked up now and there are some happy children! 
We’re currently supporting the Working Bee with some new bark and sand. 

Midwinter Breakfast Next Week! 

All students are invited to school for breakfast next Wednesday 23rd July. Breakfast will be served from 8am to 8.30am. Bring a bowl and a spoon and a can for the City Mission. 

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop has moved back into the PTA hub and is looking great with new paint, carpet and shelving. Come and check it out! 

Opening times:
Monday 2.45 to 3pm & Friday 8.45 to 9.15am

Community Notices

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

Storybox Drama - Afterschool Drama Classes

Storybox Drama offers after school drama classes to children 5-12yrs old.
Our classes are perfect for children new to drama. We provide a playful approach, with a focus on story, imagination and creative process.
Our learning is focused around a story, and we unpack the themes and ideas explored in the book over the term.
In Term 3 we will be exploring the story of Peter and the Wolf by Ayesha Rubio. Perfect for children who love animals and are curious about the natural world.

Find out more & enrol here: https://tinyurl.com/3b5yzay2

Term 3 classes:

Wed 23 July to Wed 10 September (8 weeks)

Wednesdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm (1 hour), $180

Somerfield Community Centre, 47 Studholme St, Christchurch









Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 27th June 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

Term 2 has been a busy and rewarding time, with lots of achievements and opportunities for our students to shine. One of our school values is WE GET THERE TOGETHER - Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe, and since I arrived at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, I’ve seen this value in action in so many ways.

In this newsletter, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fantastic work of our PTA and the contributions they make to our school. This group supports our community by bringing people together and raising funds that benefit all our students. This year, the PTA has generously helped fund:

$7,000 towards new kapa haka uniforms

$10,000 for bus transport for Education Outside the Classroom activities

$7,000 for blackout blinds in the hall

$8,000 towards a new projector for the school hall

We really appreciate all the time and effort the PTA puts in. If you can, please get behind the events and initiatives they organise. The PTA is always looking for helpers at events.

If you can’t make meetings regularly but want to help out, consider joining the PTA support group. This group helps out at events throughout the year and is important for the PTA’s success.

To join the PTA support group, please follow this link:

Working Bee
Another way to get involved is the upcoming Working Bee on Sunday, 20th July. We’d love as much help as possible on the day. Thanks to Kate and Erin for organising this event! If you’re interested in helping, please register using the QR code below.



Holiday Work at School

Over the school holidays, some work will be happening around the school, including:
  • Painting the outside of the Kōmanawa Block
  • Painting inside the School Hall block
  • Installing two permanent shade umbrellas on the junior playground
  • Tree work near the carpark and in Treemendous
Families are welcome to continue using the school grounds over the break but please take care around the work areas.

Lastly, a big thank you to our whānau for your ongoing support. Your involvement and encouragement really make a difference. I also want to thank our teachers and support staff for their hard work this term - even though it’s been a shorter term, their dedication has been constant.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa / Many thanks to you all,

Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Fri 27 Jun - Funky Hair Day 
Fri 27 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 27 Jun - Last Day of Term 2
Mon 14 Jul - First Day of Term 3
Fri 18 Jul - Welcome Assembly, Week 1 (9:15-9:45am in the Hall)
Sun 20 Jul - Working Bee (9:00-12:30pm School Grounds)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Mid Winter Breakfast (TBC)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 25 Jul - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Sun 27 Jul - Backup Working Bee (If rained off on 20th, 9:00-12:30pm School Grounds)
Thu 31 Jul - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 8 Aug - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 12 Sept - Staff Only Day

Citizen of the Week

Khloe - Year 3

Khloe, you consistently demonstrate our school values throughout your learning. You always try your hardest in all areas of learning, your work ethic is impressive! You are a fantastic role model to others. You are an absolute star. Tino pai!

Pippa Chapman - Year 6

Pippa, your positive attitude shines through in everything you do. You are always striving to grow your skills and knowledge. You are a truly amazing friend—empathetic, caring, and always there for others. Thank you for being such a reliable and positive presence!

School Notices

Kupu Māori o te Wīki:

These are our whakataukī (phrase), instructions and kupu (words) for the last couple of weeks. Give them a go! Remember, Nau mai te wero, We Love Challenge!

Whakataukī: He rā whatiwhati kō - This means a day of hard work.

Instruction: Hurihuri - turn around.

Kupu: Huawhenua - this means vegetables.

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.

Matariki Evening

Thank you for a fantastic Matariki Evening!

Matariki is a time to share kai (food), reflect on the past 4 seasons, celebrate with whānau, and look forward to what is to come as the days get longer. 
Thank you to everyone who attended our Matariki evening on Tuesday 17th June. It was a very special celebration, and it was awesome to see whānau connecting with our kaiako (teachers), as well as with other whānau.
A massive thank you to the PTA for having a delicious sausage sizzle, the kaiako (teachers) who organised wonderful workshop activities, and to all our tamariki (children) for their exceptional kapa haka performances. Mānawatia a Matariki!

Kōwhai trip to Rhodes on Cashmere for Matariki

School Working Bee - More Information

We’re organising a working bee to help tidy up and improve our school grounds — weeding, sweeping, pruning, clearing leaves, and general outdoor maintenance. Many hands make light work, and even an hour or two would make a big difference!

When: Sunday 20th July (with Sunday 27th July as a backup if it’s rained off), 9:00 am -12:30 pm
Where: School grounds
What to bring: Gloves, tools (if you have them), and your enthusiasm!

If you can help, please let us know by filling out this quick form:


Staff Only Day

Please note, we have planned a staff only day on Friday 12 September, with a focus on our teaching staff engaging with the refreshed Mathematics Curriculum. Thank you for your advance understanding.

Community Dental Service Holiday Clinics July 2025

The Community Dental Service will be closed for the upcoming school holidays.

Closed from:      Friday 27th June, 
Reopening on:   Monday 14th July.

Five of our community dental clinics will be open during this School Holiday period:

Aranui (240 Breezes Road)
Woolston (11 Hopkins Street)
Kaiapoi (65 Raven Quay)
Ashburton (38 Elizabeth Street)
Timaru (18 Woollcombe Street)

If your child is experiencing any dental pain/discomfort, you can call us on 0800 846 983 and/or email: commdental@cdhb.health.nz and one of our clinicians will contact you.

Parent/Caregiver Evening: Behind the Screens – Internet Safety Tips for Home

Raising kids in the digital age isn’t easy and you’re not alone. Should your child have Discord? What are V-Bucks? Is it safe to let them keep their phone overnight? Join us for a practical, entertaining evening hosted by Attitude that will help you feel more confident about parenting in the online world.

You’ll leave with smart tips, tools you can use straight away, and a better understanding of how to guide your child through the digital space without panic or overreaction. Come find out if you're a Firewall Parent, an Open Source Parent, or a Bluetooth Parent—and why it matters.

When: 7–8pm, Wednesday 30th July.
Where: Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Hall.
Who: This event is for parents/caregivers only.
Cost: Free to attend. A small koha (donation) is appreciated to help support the cost of this event.

Please complete this form to let us know if you are attending.

Congratulations to...

...the following students who have been selected from auditions for 'The Lions Christchurch Schools' Music Festival 2025':

Mia White - Senior Choir
Ben Stoney - Orchestra (violin)
Joshua Cornfoot - Concert Band (saxophone)
Matthew Scallan - Concert Band (trombone)

Thank you...

A big thank you to everyone in our community that kindly helped by supplying us with your Gib contributions.

BOSCO

BOSCO is looking for new members to join our committee. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Harriet Takamore via email or pop on in when you have the chance to chat.

You would be joining a lovely bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the service BOSCO provides and being a part of its future.

BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings.

If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.

A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.

Harriet Takamore | Programme Leader | BOSCO Incorporated

office@bosco.org.nz | 027 645 6632

BOT Update

2025 Triennial Elections

Every three years, all public schools in Aotearoa hold elections for their School Boards, and this is going to happen again in 2025.

The School Board is a key part of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto because they do a lot of important things behind the scenes that, while they may not be visible, are really important to keeping Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto running. Our School Board oversees the development our strategic plan, consults with our community about things that matter, makes sure our finances are being spent wisely and ensures that we are giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. Our board is made up of six parent representatives, the Tumuaki/Principal, a staff rep elected by the staff, and an appointed whānau Māori or Ngāi Tahu iwi representative.

The Board has appointed Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for our election and the election is to be provided online. Important things like the nomination and voting forms will be sent to you by email directly by Election Pilot. If we don’t have an email address for you don’t stress, because Schooled Election Pilot will send these out to you by post so you don’t miss out.

There are a lot of rules around School Board elections that need to be followed, and the main ones are the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Education (Board Elections) Regulations 2022. Your name and contact details have been provided to Election Pilot to enable them to deliver election services for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, as required by legislation. 

They will use your contact details for the provision of election services for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto only and your details will be deleted 60 days after the election date as required by legislation. If you have any questions about the election process, then the best people to talk to are the team at Schooled Election Pilot. You can contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz.

We will continue to keep you updated through the various stages of the election process, and our election date is Wednesday, 10th September.

Sports News

Canterbury Cross Country Results

What an awesome day we had at the Canterbury Zones Cross Country! The kids did such a great job. They ran their hearts out and were brilliant representatives of our school.

Here’s how our runners placed:
  • Year 5 Girls: Laurien (8th), Chloe (41st)

  • Year 6 Girls: Jayme (44th), Clara (101st)

  • Year 6 Boys: Max (20th), Haydn (51st)

  • Year 7 Girls: Laura (3rd), Misha (55th)

  • Year 7 Boys: Ben (29th)

  • Year 8 Girls: Bianca (16th)
They all gave it their best and showed awesome spirit on a pretty tough course. It was a great day. 

Hillview Cross Country Challenge

On Tuesday 24th June, our top-placed students in our Year 0-4 School Cross Country had the opportunity to take part in the Hillview XC Challenge, held at Hillview Christian School. We had 48 tamariki take part, putting in every effort to do their best. It was fantastic to see the determination on everyone's faces as they strove to get to the finish line, showing our School Kete Value, 'We Love Challenge'.

We had 5 children finish in the top 5 from Years 0-4:
  • Yr 0-1: Erin (1st), Greyson (3rd)
  • Yr 3: Florence (3rd)
  • Yr 4: Hunter (3rd), Amelia (3rd)
A massive congratulations to everyone who took part in this awesome event, and a huge thank you to all the whānau who attended/supported. 


PTA News

Family Portraits - Save the Date!  

Over the weekend 6th and 7th September (Father's Day!) we will have a professional photographer at school. For $25 you get a 10-15 minute photo session and a 10”x13” (253mmx330mm) studio quality, colour or black & white, family portrait, normally valued at $60.00. All the $25 fee comes back to the school but you will be able to buy more prints, portraits and digital copies.  Look out for more information next term. 

Cookie Time Fundraiser 

Thanks to all those who have placed orders for cookies.  The cookies will be available for collection during the first week of term 3, day and time to be confirmed.

Uniform Room

Our Uniform Room is moving back to the PTA hub behind the garage at the corner of Sandwich Road and Eastern Terrace next term.  Opening times remain the same - Monday: 2:45-3:15pm and Friday: 8:45-9:15am.

Community Notices

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

Franklin Writers Competition

We invite students to enter the 2025 Franklin Writers Competition. We’re looking for the best short story (up to 500 words) on the theme of Crossroads.

We have a special prize for the best young writer, and the opportunity to be published in our annual anthology, Easy Reads.

The closing date is 13th July 2025 (end of holidays) and it’s open to all NZ residents.

July Holidays Winter Writing School Opportunities

We have school holiday places available to for keen young writers.

Sarina Dickson
Administrator and Editor, Write On School for Young Writers
schoolforyoungwriters.org


Shrek Jnr Matinee Invitation - Hillview Christian School  




Continence NZ - Free Education Day

Christchurch: 11 July 2025, 9:30am - 4:30pm, Russley Golf Club, 428 Memorial Ave, Burnside, Christchurch. You can register here.



Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 13th June 2025

Posted on by

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou,

There's so much exciting progress as we approach the end of Term 2! A heartfelt thank you to all the families who took the time this week to attend a learning conference with their child. We truly appreciate your time and your commitment to strengthening the partnership around your child's learning and aspirations.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our PTA for their ongoing efforts in bringing our community together and raising valuable funds to support the purchase of resources that enhance our school. Last weekend’s book and clothing sale in the school hall was a great success. A big thank you to everyone who donated items and took the time to attend the event - we’re grateful for your support!

Matariki is the Māori New Year, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades) in the winter sky. It is a time to reflect, remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. Families and communities come together to share food, stories, and traditions. Matariki is a special time for learning, connection, and renewal. 

To celebrate Matariki we would like to invite all our community to our Whānau Rōpū hui next Tuesday 17th of June from 5:00 pm. The PTA will be having a Sausage Sizzle on the night for a small koha (donation). 

Outline of the night:

5:00 pm - Welcome & Performance in Māpuna, the Hall - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi.

5:25 pm - Matariki activities begin in Hubs.

6:10 pm - Matariki activities finish in Hubs, whānau to head back to the hall.

6:15 pm - Pōhutukawa and Kōwhai Kapa Haka performance in Māpuna, the Hall.

We hope to see you there!


Have a great weekend.

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

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 17 Jun - Matariki Evening (5pm-7pm)
Thu 19 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 20 Jun - Public Holiday, School Closed (Matariki)
Wed 25 Jun -  Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 25 Jun - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 27 Jun - Funky Hair Day 
Fri 27 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 27 Jun - Last Day of Term 2
Mon 14 Jul - First Day of Term 3
Fri 18 Jul - Welcome Assembly, Week 1 (9:15-9:45am)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Mid Winter Breakfast (TBC)
Wed 23 Jul - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 25 Jul - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Thu 31 Jul - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)

Citizen of the Week

Matilda - Year 6

What a star you are, Matilda! In the Pōhutukawa hub, your independence and dedication shine brightly in all your learning. You tackle everything with such resilience, always pushing yourself to explore new concepts and work diligently. It's wonderful to see your eagerness to understand deeply. Ka pai, Matilda!

Tish - Year 8

 Tish, you consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic. You face each lesson with focus, determination, and a desire to succeed. Always eager to deepen your understanding, you seek clarification when needed, ensuring you grasp concepts fully. Tish, your commitment to growth and learning inspires those around you, creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom. Anō te pai! Fantastic,Tish!

School Notices

New Guitar Tutor - Matthew Stevenson


Hey there! I’m Matt, offering Guitar/Bass/Ukulele lessons.

Pricing: One on one 20min lesson  (tutor and one student) - $24.50
               Two on one 30min lesson (tutor and two students) - $19 per student
Styles: Rock, pop, jazz and most other styles
Suitability: Years 5-8

A bit about me:
I graduated with a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Ara Institute of Canterbury in 2018. With over 10 years of teaching experience, I genuinely enjoy sharing my passion for music. Besides lessons, I work with bands, ukulele orchestras, and various ensembles.

Teaching Info:
My teaching approach revolves around setting goals; at the beginning of each term, we discuss the songs, techniques, and styles students are eager to learn, and we tailor our lessons to achieve those objectives.

To Register Interest:

Student Council

The Student Council is excited to announce a special event to support a great cause (the Kaimanawa Horses) - Funky Hair Day, happening on Friday 27th of June, or the last day of school!

We’re encouraging all students to come to school with their craziest hairstyles. Use hairspray, gel or anything to make your hair as funky as possible! It’s a fun way to get involved while making a difference.

This term, the student council are raising money to support the Kaimanawa horses, a species of horse in the North Island. These wild horses, of which there are about 300, are sadly being slaughtered. The funds we raise will go towards helping them find safe, loving homes.

We ask that students bring a gold coin donation. Every contribution will help provide care and protection for these special animals.

Ngā mihi,
Oscar on behalf of the Student Council

Head Lice

Unfortunately we have had a growing number of cases of headlice reported across the school, spread throughout various age group hubs.

Can you please check your child's head for eggs and live lice regularly and treat accordingly if detected.

The following link has very helpful information about headlice and how to treat it.


Matariki Evening

We would like to invite you to our Whānau Rōpū hui next Tuesday.

Matariki is the start of the Māori new year and a time of reflection, connection and planning for the year ahead. We would like to celebrate with you and your whānau on Tuesday the 17th of June from 5:00pm. The PTA will be having a Sausage Sizzle on the night for a small koha (donation). 

Outline of the night:

5:00 pm - Welcome & Performance in Māpuna, the Hall - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi.

5:25 pm - Matariki activities begin in Hubs.

6:10 pm - Matariki activities finish in Hubs, whānau to head back to the hall.

6:15 pm - Pōhutukawa and Kōwhai Kapa Haka performance in Māpuna, the Hall.

We hope to see you there!


Kupu Māori o te Wīki:

These are our whakataukī (phrase), instructions and kupu (words) for the last couple of weeks. Give them a go! 

Whakataukī: Whaowhia te kete mātauranga - this means to fill the basket with knowledge!

Instruction: Tō ringa ki runga - put your hand up

Kupu: Huarākau - this means fruit.

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.

BOSCO

BOSCO is looking for new members to join our committee. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Harriet Takamore via email or pop on in when you have the chance to chat.

You would be joining a lovely bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the service BOSCO provides and being a part of its future.

BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings.

If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.

A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.

Harriet Takamore
Programme Leader
BOSCO Incorporated
office@bosco.org.nz
027 645 6632


Garden Club Compost

A message from the GARDEN CLUB.

This is to show you what happens to plastic when it goes into the environment. 
Recently the garden club dug into the lovely compost bins & amongst lovely new soil was enormous amounts of plastic.
We found yoghurt potties, zip lock bags, pens, whiteboard markers, bubble wrap, popcorn & chip packets! 
This is all rubbish that was put in the compost bins. It doesn’t break down. 
Some of it can get shredded into little bits of plastic that then damages the eco-system.
We want to use this compost to grow healthy vegetables & give back to nature.

If you want to see it, come look behind the garden shed in the Garden Club area. 
No, to any form of plastic in the compost bins.

Let’s look after our environment!
Because ….We Care!




Special Congratulations to one of our Students - Hamish McCrae

Hamish took part in football trials over the April holidays and has been selected by the West Ham United Foundation to go to their Australian National Football Camp 2025 this coming September. There he will be coached by top class coaches from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Hamish has worked really hard and we are very proud of him!

PTA News

CookieTime Fundraiser



Back by popular demand. The PTA are selling CookieTime Rookie Cookies. Look for an order form in your child’s bag or Online Order Here. Extra forms are available at the office.

This CookieTime Fundraiser features the 25g Rookie Size version of the famous Original Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Made with real Chocolate and real ingredients, this size is ideal for lunchboxes, handbags and coat pockets. 
 
$20 per bag for 20 Individually wrapped delicious cookies.
 
Orders close Thursday 26th June 2025. Please put your paper forms in the box in the office.
Collection will be the 1st week of next term at the School Hall. Date to be confirmed and advised.

Book & Clothing Sale


Thank you for helping us make this event a success. From the donations we received, to the amazing parent helpers. We hope you enjoyed the Sale.

We raised $3,700 towards this year’s fundraising goals.

We have donated the remaining items to local charities, Clothed in Love and City Mission. 

BOT Update

Policy Review

  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.)

School Holiday Drama Workshops - Storybox Drama x Heather McQuillan 

Friday 4 July, 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Somerfield Community Centre, 47 Studholme St, Christchurch
$60

Come explore key ideas in Avis and the Promise of Dragons and Avis and the Call of the Kraken through process drama with author Heather McQuillan and Storybox Drama. There will be chocolate and surprises too! 

Find out more and register here:




KiwiVolley School Holiday Programme

Canterbury Volleyball is excited to be running our holiday skills session for Primary aged children through the 2025 School Holidays.

It will be a fun, action packed morning where we will cover all the basic skills of serving, passing, setting and spiking with lots of fun games and drills.

These sessions will be great for any children from Yr 5 to Yr 8 of any ability.

Children will get to learn all the skills in a fun way, play a lot of game like drills and get to meet heaps of new friends while playing volleyball!

All sessions are 10am - 12 pm on the following dates:

Tuesday 1st July + Wednesday 2nd of July 

Tuesday 8th + Wednesday 9th of July

Where: Pioneer Stadium

Cost: $20 per day or $30 for two days per week



SCHOOL HOLIDAYS EVENT - Kid's Winter Retreat!

I am running a Kid's Winter Retreat with some awesome talents in the upcoming school holidays and would like to invite all kids/families in need.

aroha nui
Lou / The Children's Imagination Academy




Badminton Holiday Camp

Term 3 Holiday Camp - Open to ALL ages!

Enrolment for our weeklong high intensity badminton training camp is now open! 
Limited spaces available so get in quick!

Enrolment link below:

*Application closes Friday 4 July 2025, BAPN T&Cs apply*

See you all on court! 
BAPN Team
 
Willie Chen
BAPN | CZW Limited | Director
Mobile: +64 210 224 5655 | willie.chen@mybadmintonshop.co.nz

Hagley College Year 9 2026 Enrolments - CLOSING SOON


Enrolment applications for Hagley College Year 9 2026 are closing soon, on Thursday 19 June at midday – ahead of the long Matariki weekend.

Our close-off date is firm and we will not be able to receive any new applications after this date. We are also aware that our closing date is quite a bit earlier than for many of the other high schools, so I am just hoping to avoid anyone missing out.

If you are keen but haven't put an application in yet, go to:
https://www.hagley.school.nz/enrolment/year-9-enrolment/ and click the button to start a new application as soon as possible.

Any questions can be directed to me any time at the below number or email address. I do also have paper copies of the enrolment form here for families who are unable to apply online (though we may be cutting it a little fine to rely on physical post at this point).

Thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it.

Ngā mihi

Lisa Amer
Junior College Enrolments
Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College
DDI: 03 364 5134
lisa.amer@staff.hagley.school.nz



Matariki at The Arts Centre

With Matariki around the corner, we're letting you know what's on for students and whānau during this special time of year. 

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre is working with artists to celebrate Matariki from 7–22 June, with a vibrant programme featuring live performances, visual art, kapa haka, Tīrama Mai, an evening mākete, delicious kai, and so much more.

For tamariki and their whānau, we have a kid’s concert, Matariki for tamariki; wānanga/workshops making whetū harakeke (flax stars), tī rākau and poi making, and porotiti making. There is also kapa haka performances in the Great Hall, an evening mākete (with 60 stallholders over the Matariki long weekend) and Tīrama Mai light displays and storytelling. These events range from being free - $25+BF per child.

We thought you might be interested in sharing details of these activities with your students and their whānau via your newsletters, social media, and other communications channels. Attached is a small flyer you can use.  

The full programme and booking details can be found at https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/matariki-2025/

We hope to you can join us in celebrating.

Ngā mihi,

Arts Centre team


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāpare (Thursday) 29th May 2025

Posted on by

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou,

As you will be aware, our school will be closed for instruction tomorrow to allow our teachers to participate in Rā Kaimahi 2025 - Te Mana o Te Tamaiti (Our Kāhui Ako Conference Day), hosted at Cashmere High School. We appreciate the community’s support in enabling our staff to attend this important professional learning event.

Thank you to the 243 families who have already made bookings for upcoming Learning Conferences. 

As a reminder: 

Learning Conferences will take place on:

Tuesday 10 June - between 1:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday 11 June - between 1:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

On both of the above days, classes will finish at 1:00 p.m. We thank you for accommodating this change to support the facilitation of Learning Conferences. Limited supervision will be available at school until 3:00 p.m. and we will be in touch over the next couple of weeks to confirm arrangements for those who require it.

To make a booking, please go to:
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code and use the following code: r3wt9

Or use the QR Code below:

Reports 

Next Friday, school reports will be sent out through HERO. As you read your child’s report with them, it’s important to remember that every child grows and develops at their own pace - and that’s not only okay, it’s completely normal. Progress can look different for each learner, and success isn’t always linear. Celebrating effort, curiosity, resilience, and growth - no matter how small - can make a world of difference in how your child sees themselves as a learner. Your encouragement and belief in their potential are powerful tools that help them thrive.

Have a great long weekend. 

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

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Thu 29 May - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 30 May - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Mon 2 Jun - Public Holiday, School Closed (King's Birthday)
Fri 6 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Tue 10 Jun - Learning Conferences (school closes at 1pm)
Wed 11 Jun - Learning Conferences (school closes at 1pm)
Tue 17 Jun - Matariki Evening (5PM-7PM)
Thu 19 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 20 Jun - Public Holiday, School Closed (Matariki)
Wed 25 Jun -  Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 25 Jun - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 27 Jun - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 27 Jun - Last Day of Term 2
Mon 14 Jul - First Day of Term 3

Citizen of the Week

Abigail Brinner - Year 8

Abigail, you are a hard working and tenacious learner. You apply yourself to every task and experience with the same dedication. Your contributions are not isolated to the classroom either as you are a valued member of our school student leadership team. Thank you for being an amazing role model in our team and school. Ka pai tō mahi!

Maya Buckman - Year 4

Maya, you are a hardworking and diligent learner. You consistently show our school kete values each and every day. You are a kind friend, and your caring and warm nature brightens our hub! Thank you for helping others and being an excellent role model! Tino pai tō mahi, Maya!

School Notices

PTA News

Readathon

Thanks for all your support with the Readathon. It looks like there has been some great reading happening and lots of fabulous costumes were seen. We raised $5,163.30 towards this year's school bus trips.

Book & Clothing Sale

Get ready for some seriously good bargains at our upcoming Book and Clothing Sale on Saturday 7th June, 8am – 4pm.

We are needing some parent helpers:

Saturday (7th June) morning, we need some people to help on the checkouts and some floaters refilling and tidying up tables. 

If you are able to help at any time please fill in this form. https://forms.gle/47wyH91WdvMs91Vc9

Thanks everyone who has already donated. Last week for Donations. We are currently collecting up until 3pm Friday 6th June:

- Gently used adult and children’s clothing (please, no rips or stains)
- Books of any genre
- Puzzles (with all the pieces, please!)

Please drop your donations in the boxes at the school office.

Thank you for helping us make this event a success.


CookieTime Fundraiser

Back by popular demand. The PTA are selling Cookie Time Rookie Cookies. Look for an order form in your child’s bag or Online Order Here. Extra forms are available at the office.

This Cookie Time Fundraiser features the 25g Rookie Size version of the famous Original Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Made with real Chocolate and real ingredients, this size is ideal for lunchboxes, handbags and coat pockets. 
 
$20 per bag for 20 Individually wrapped delicious cookies.
 
Orders close Thursday 26th June 2025
Collection will be the 1st week of next term at the School Hall. Date to be confirmed and advised.

Kupu Māori o te Wīki:

These are our whakataukī (phrase), instructions and kupu (words) for the last couple of weeks. Give them a go! 

Whakataukī:
  • He rau ringa e oti ai - This means many hands make light work. So, let’s focus on working together as a team!
  • Mauria te pono - this means to Believe in Yourself!
Instruction:
  • Ka kite anō - this means see you later!
  • Turituri - be quiet!
Kupu:
  • Manuhiri - this is the word for guests or visitors.
  • Hōtoke - Winter (season)
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.

Matariki Evening

40 Hour Challenge: Go Offline. Make a Difference.

13–15 June | Be Part of Something Bigger

This year, World Vision are inviting the youth of Aotearoa to make a real impact — by going completely offline for 40 hours (or choosing your own challenge) to raise life-changing funds for children in the Solomon Islands.

Why?
Because right now:
  • 1 in 6 children in the Pacific are living in severe child food poverty.
  • Nearly half of kids under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition.
  • 80% of Solomon Islanders depend on fishing and farming for food and income. 
  • World’s 2nd most at-risk country for disasters because of extreme events and sea-levels rise. 
We’re fundraising so communities in the Solomon Islands have what they need to grow strong in a changing climate. Just $28 can provide a family with a vegetable garden — a daily source of food, health and hope.

Our Year 5–8 students will be signing up on during week 5 and starting their fundraising journeys. Let’s get behind them!

40 Hours? Challenge Accepted. 

Sign up. Switch off. Stand up for Pacific kids. 

Child not taking part in the 40 Hour Challenge but still like to donate? Here is a link to our schools fundraising page.


Sports News

Cross Country

South Zones Cross Country Results

What an amazing morning at the South Zones Cross Country! Our Beckenham students truly embodied our school values, offering support to both their Beckenham peers and all competitors.

Here are the results of the students who have qualified for the Canterbury Zones Cross Country:

Year 5: Laurien (3rd) & Chloe (6th)
Year 6: Max (2nd), Haydn (3rd), Jayme (2nd) & Clara (6th)
Year 7: Ben (4th), Zach (5th), Laura (2nd) & Misha (3rd)
Year 8: Bianca (2nd)

Every student gave their best effort! It was a fantastic morning overall.

BOT Update

Policy Review

  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.)

Canterbury Rams Basketball Junior & Senior Holiday Camps

We would like to invite your students who are interested in basketball to attend our upcoming school holiday Rams Basketball Camps.  We have a Junior Camp for School Years 5 – 8 and a Senior Camp for School Years 9-13.  The participants receive coaching from Canterbury Rams basketball players!  The camp is suitable for all levels of basketball players with the emphasis on fun & learning new skills!

Canterbury Rams Holiday Basketball Camps Registration - Camps & Schools - Canterbury Rams

The Rams basketball season is in full swing, if you have never been to a game or would like to check it out please see below our game ticket link.


Christchurch Holiday Program

Looking for an engaging and educational holiday activity? AkoTech's Holiday Programs at University of Canterbury, Christchurch, offer hands-on experiences in coding, logical problem solving, and AI entrepreneurship. Students can explore their interests in project-based learning with technology. Programs run throughout July from 9 AM - 4 PM. Learn more and register at www.akotech.nz