Author Archives: Chloe Miller

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 12th June 2026

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Principal's Update

Kia ora whānau,

School Reports and Learning Conferences

As shared in the last newsletter, school reports will be sent home to families next Friday. Information about Learning Conferences, including how to book a time with your child's homeroom teacher, will be sent out shortly.
Learning Conferences provide an important opportunity to discuss your child's progress, celebrate their achievements, and identify areas of focus for the remainder of the year. We look forward to meeting with you and your child at these conferences.

Property Update 

A number of improvements are scheduled for this term and next:
  • Solar Panels - scheduled for installation in the upcoming school holidays 
  • Artificial Turf near Kōmanawa Building - 7 September (Term 3 - Week 8)
  • New Shade Sails for Junior Playground - Term 3 holiday break
You may have noticed that one of the shade umbrellas near the Junior Playground has been removed. The metal structure is currently being rebuilt following damage caused by vandalism and is expected to be returned to the school today.

Unfortunately, the second umbrella was also damaged and will be removed today for repairs.

Third New Entrants Class

Our third new entrants class will open at the beginning of Term 3. This class will be taught by Elizabeth, with Nicola taking on a full-time role in the class she currently shares with Elizabeth.

If you have a child who will be starting school in Term 3 or 4, or know of someone in this situation, it would be helpful if they could be enrolled as soon as possible. This will support us with planning and ensure we are well prepared to welcome them.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
Thu 18 JuneKoru team - Junior Park Explorers Trip
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
" "Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Sat 27 JuneBingo Night
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
" "PTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyFunky Hair Day
" "Last Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3
Wed 22 JulyMatariki Evening (5:30-7pm)

Citizen of the Week

Moana - Year 6

Moana, you are a kind, caring and enthusiastic learner. You consistently treat others with the utmost respect, and you are an incredibly supportive friend. Thank you for always demonstrating our school values with a positive smile. Well done, Moana!

Zaria - Year 8

Zaria, you are a remarkably capable and positive member of Team Kauri. You role-model our school values, especially 'We Make a Difference', through your willingness to support our school community as a student leader. You show initiative in your leadership roles and foster genuine connections with your peers through your kind actions and words. He tauiraira koe ki ō hoa (You are a role model to your peers). 

School Notices

Save the Date: Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto’s Matariki Evening 

Matariki marks the start of the Māori New Year. This is a time for reflection, connection, and planning for the year ahead. 
We would love to celebrate this special time with you and your whānau on Wednesday, 22nd July (the first Wednesday of Term Three) from 5:30 pm!

More details about the evening will be shared closer to the time, but please see the attached poster for a sneak peek!

40 Hour Challenge – We Need Your Help!

There are still lots of Year 5-8 students who have told us they would like to take part in this year's 40 Hour Challenge but haven't signed up yet.

Please have a chat with your child about whether they would like to be involved and, if so, help them sign up using the link below:

The 40 Hour Challenge takes place from 19–21 June and is a great opportunity for our tamariki to make a difference for children and families in the Solomon Islands.

We have made a fantastic start and have already raised $1,984 towards our school goal of $7,500. Thank you to everyone who has signed up and started fundraising so far.

If your child is not in Years 5–8 but your whānau would still like to support this important cause, donations can be made directly through our school fundraising page here:

Let's keep the momentum going and see how close we can get to our target!

40 Hours? Challenge Accepted!

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

Winter Wellness Reminder

If your child is sick, please keep them home until they are well. This way, we can all work together to minimise the spread as much as possible.

Please call 033371404 or email office@beckenham.school.nz if your child/children are sick.

Staff will continue to promote regular washing of hands, especially before eating, along with ventilating the hubs.

Thank you for your assistance with this.

Celebrating Student Achievement - Pippa!

Trees For Survival Planting Day

Last week, we had the Trees for Survival planting day. We took a group of 29 children, from across Year 5 - 8, and travelled by bus out to a farm in Kaiapoi, and met our sponsors from Accor Hotels, the land owners and their family. 

It was a beautiful day, the children worked incredibly hard, and had lots of fun. 753 plants were planted from our shade-house / Trees for Survival!

The experience was a wonderful example of our values, We Make a Difference, and We Get There Together, as students contributed positively to the environment, our wider Canterbury community and worked alongside others to restore a local area.

A special thank you to everyone involved in making the day such a success!

Staff Profiles

Welcome Kathryn Sutherland - Kōwhai Team

Hello! I'm Kathryn Sutherland. I've recently returned to Christchurch with my family after living and teaching in London for the last 23 years. I've been working at a school in Halswell since the start of this year, teaching in year 6, and I'm really looking forward to starting at Beckenham! 

PTA News

Midwinter Breakfast 

We’re busy organising the Midwinter Breakfast. This is taking place on Wednesday, 24th June, at 8am in the hall. Bring a bowl, a spoon and a can for the City Mission!  

Readathon

Congratulations to all for another fantastic Readathon! There was loads of great reading done, some great work on collecting sponsors and fabulous costumes at the Book Character day. We raised a grand total of $5,224 for the school, ka pai tō mahi!

Bingo Night!

Tickets are available now (via the Kindo app or click here) for a fun-filled night and a chance to win some great prizes. Look out for the accompanying raffle next week, and there will also be a silent auction during the event.

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

Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the Day

Another fantastic week of Weekly Winter Sport! It has been great to see our students continuing to develop their skills, work together as teams, and represent our kura with pride each week.

Congratulations to this week's Players of the Day, who were recognised for their effort, determination, and the positive way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, sportsmanship, and encouragement shown by all of our students as they continue to grow in confidence and capability.

A huge thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support and commitment. Your encouragement on the sidelines and assistance behind the scenes help make these opportunities possible for our tamariki.

Year ⅚ Flag Football - Ruby & Keira
Year ⅚ Football - Phoenix
Year ⅚ Hockey - Kit, Archie, Freya, Moana & Summer
Year ⅚ Netball - Pyper, Frankie, Florence & Zakyla
Year ⅞ Flag Football - Jeremiah & Tommy
Year ⅞ Football - Amelia & Clarel
Year ⅞ Hockey - Ben, Mitchell & Lily
Year ⅞ Netball - Mia, Hazel, Sristy, Saxton & Seb

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - 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.)

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rātū (Tuesday) 2nd June 2026

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Principal's Update

Kia ora whānau,

Changes to Student Reporting in 2026

This year, schools across Aotearoa New Zealand have begun implementing the refreshed curricula for Mathematics and Statistics, English. 

As a school, we are currently transitioning from the previous curriculum to these new learning frameworks. This means that teachers are using updated teaching approaches, assessment practices, and learning expectations to support student progress and achievement.

We would also like to acknowledge the significant work our teachers have undertaken as part of this transition. Over the past 18 months, staff have engaged in extensive professional learning to develop their understanding of the refreshed curriculum and adapt their teaching, assessment, and reporting practices. This has involved reviewing programmes, learning new approaches, and carefully considering how best to support student progress within the new curriculum framework. We are grateful for the commitment and professionalism our teachers have shown throughout this process.

What will reports look like?

This year, reports will include progress descriptors for Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. These descriptors indicate how your child is progressing in relation to the expectations of the refreshed curriculum for their year level.

For other curriculum areas, teachers will provide learning stories that celebrate your child's learning, growth, strengths, and next steps. These learning stories are designed to give families a rich picture of the experiences, skills, knowledge, and competencies their child is developing across the curriculum.

What does this mean for my child?

Because the new curriculum has only been in place since the beginning of 2026, you may notice differences in your child's reported achievement or progress compared with previous years. In some cases, these differences may reflect changes in curriculum expectations rather than changes in your child's learning.

Teachers use a range of evidence when making judgements about student progress, including classroom observations, learning conversations, assessment tasks, and formal assessment tools. These sources help build a comprehensive picture of each learner's strengths, needs, and progress.

Understanding the Progress Descriptors

Schools across New Zealand are now using common progress descriptors to show how students are achieving in relation to the expectations for their year level.

Emerging

Students at this stage:

Are beginning to understand some learning ideas for their year level with significant support.
Can sometimes use what they have learned but usually need assistance.
Are making meaningful progress that aligns with their individual strengths and needs.

Developing

Students at this stage:

Are beginning to understand key learning concepts, often with some support.
Can recall and apply learning in familiar situations with guidance.
Are making progress towards the expectations for their year level.

Consolidating

Students at this stage:

Are increasingly able to use learning strategies independently.
Are becoming more confident at remembering and applying their learning.
Are beginning to transfer their learning to new situations.
Can reflect on their learning and identify ways to improve.

Proficient

Students at this stage:

Consistently use effective learning strategies independently.
Can apply their learning successfully in a variety of situations.
Often transfer their knowledge and skills to new contexts.
Explain their thinking clearly and contribute ideas that support the learning of others.

Exceeding

Students at this stage:

Demonstrate advanced understanding and thinking.
Make connections across different learning areas and situations.
Extend and deepen their ideas independently.
Apply their learning creatively and thoughtfully to complex challenges.
Critically evaluate and test ideas to build deeper knowledge.

Questions?

We recognise that curriculum and reporting changes can raise questions for families. If you would like to discuss your child's progress or achievement in more detail, we encourage you to contact your child's teacher. They will be happy to explain how your child is progressing and the evidence used to make these judgements.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for every child.

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 3 JunePTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 4 JuneTrees4Survival Planting Day
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Fri 5 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 10 JunePSC Artistic Gymnastics (Chch School of Gymnastics)
Thu 11 JuneWhakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Fri 12 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
" "Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 18 JuneKoru team - Junior Park Explorers Trip TBC
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Sat 27 JuneBingo Night
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
Wed 1 JulyPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyFunky Hair Day
" "Last Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3

Citizen of the Week

Sarah - Year 8

Sarah, you make a positive impact at school through your kindness, reliability, and thoughtful approach to others. You lead by example, helping to create a supportive and inclusive environment for your peers. Kia manawanui, Sarah.

Aelara - Year 3

Aelara, your kindness is infectious. Your gentle and caring nature makes you a pleasure to be around. You are a loyal and supportive friend who consistently looks to includes others. You have a focused work ethic and you approach every challenge with a positive, fun-loving attitude. Tino pai Aelara!  

School Notices

40 Hour Challenge: Go Offline. Make a Difference.

19–21 June | Be Part of Something Bigger
This year, World Vision are inviting young people across Aotearoa to take part in the 40 Hour Challenge and make a real difference for children and communities in the Solomon Islands.

Through this year’s challenge, participants will raise funds to help children access enough nutritious food to grow up healthy and strong. Fundraising will support families with tools, seeds, and training to grow crops that can survive a changing climate. It will also help communities protect gardens from rising sea levels and support efforts to bring fish back closer to shore.

Your support can make a real difference:
  • $30 will train a mother in nutrition.
  • $98 will provide seeds and farming tools so families can continue feeding their children despite rising seas and unpredictable crops.
  • $178 will help a young person start a business with their peers, building skills and earning income.
Our Year 5–8 students had the opportunity to sign up during Week 5. We would love your support in helping them sign up, choose a challenge, and begin their fundraising journey. Click the link here to join our school's fundraising page.

Whether students decide to go completely offline for 40 hours or create a challenge of their own, every effort helps create change.

40 Hours? Challenge accepted.

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

Not taking part in the 40 Hour Challenge but would still like to support our school fundraising efforts? Here is the link to our school fundraising page.

You can also view the video link here.

Sustainability - We Care! We Make A Difference!

Along with Cashmere High School students, an initiative started by the sustainability club at Cashmere High School, a group of 7 Beckenham students helped recently with planting along the Cashmere stream. 

It was an awesome group effort of about 40 people on David Attenborough’s 100th birthday. Our students did a great cleanup of the banks, as well as helping with planting and putting the equipment back. The grasses will help to cool the stream for the eels, absorb runoff, and the draping leaves provide some habitat for small aquatic life. 

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction or saying, and a 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:Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teiteiSeek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain. This means to aim high and be persistent with what you want to achieve.
Whakataukī:He rā whatiwhati kōThis means a day of hard work.
Instruction:HurihuriTurn around.
Instruction:Homai te pakipakiGive us a clap!
Kupu:WhetūThis means star.
Kupu:HuawhenuaThis 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.

Chicken Chat 🐔

'Our Chickens' Page on the School Website

Our chickens now have their own page on the school website! Please feel free to take a look - more regular chicken updates are to come.

Chickenstock 2026 

Last Saturday, 23rd of May, a large and passionate crowd gathered at the Climate Change Campus to support the chickens and trainers selected for Chickenstock - Christchurch’s premier chicken athletics event.

One of the largest teams competing was made up of Silkies and their dedicated trainers from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, led by Director of Chickens, Sue Leadbetter. The team and its supporters stood out for their care, commitment and determination to help their chickens put their best foot forward, and in the right direction.

A standout performance came from Waffles, expertly supported by Ryland. For just under two minutes, on the obstacle course and in front of a large crowd, Ryland and Waffles appeared to become one as they navigated obstacles placed in their way. As Waffles stepped onto the finishing stump, the crowd erupted, with chants of “We love Waffles!” ringing through the venue.

Thank you to all members of our school whānau who attended and supported the event. It was a wonderful example of community spirit, encouragement and pure joy.

Results:
  • Seth and Potato - 1st place in the high jump
  • Ryland and Waffles  - 1st place in the obstacle course
Here are some highlights from the day:

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

Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the Day

What a wonderful first week of Weekly Winter Sport! It was fantastic to see our students representing our kura with enthusiasm, teamwork, and positive attitudes across all venues.

A special congratulations to our Players of the Day, who were recognised not only for their skills and effort, but also for the way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the sportsmanship, resilience, and encouragement shown by all of our teams.

Thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support — we couldn’t do it without you!
  • Year ⅚ Hockey - Elsie S, Aubrey, Freya, Nataly & Finn
  • Year ⅚ Netball - Ross, Emma D, Sage & Carice
  • Year ⅞ Flag Football - Nick
  • Year ⅞ Football - Josh
  • Year ⅞ Hockey - Woody, Constantin & Daniel
  • Year ⅞ Netball - Grace, Britta & Jacob

Year 7/8 Warriors Celebrate First Pioneer Basketball Win 🏀

A huge congratulations to our Year 7/8 Warriors basketball team, who secured their first win of the Pioneer Basketball competition on Friday night! 

The boys showed fantastic teamwork, determination, and resilience out on the court, and it was awesome to see all their hard work pay off. A special shoutout also goes to their coach, Dom from Cashmere High School, who is doing an incredible job supporting and developing the team each week. We really appreciate the time, energy, and enthusiasm he brings to the role. Well done team — we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings!

South Zone Cross Country Success

Yesterday, we sent 44 students to Hansen Park to compete in the South Zone cross country and came away with some phenomenal results. A big congratulations to the following 12 racers who have qualified to represent the South Zone at the Canterbury Cross Country:
  • Year 5: Amelia
  • Year 6: Laurien, Chloe, Laurence & Ethan
  • Year 7: Haydn & Clara
  • Year 8: Laura, Misha, Ben, Zach & Jacob

PTA News

Save the date - Saturday 27th June - Bingo night!

The PTA and Kauri team are hosting a fundraising Bingo night! If you have a business and can help with any silent auction or bingo prizes, please let us know by completing this form:


Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pta@beckenham.school.nz

As always, thank you for your support!

Our Next PTA Team Meeting

We are meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, 3rd June, at 7.30pm in the staffroom. Newcomers are always welcome! 

If you would like to help the PTA  but can’t make the meetings, please join the PTA Supporters Messenger Group. 

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - 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.)

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 15th May 2026

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

This week I attended some professional development where I was asked to reflect on what drains my optimism as a leader and what restores it. I was very quick to answer what fills my bucket - connecting with our staff and students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful school community, and I feel very privileged to be part of it. The care, commitment, and positivity shown by our students, staff, and whānau every day make our school a very special place.

There is some important information in this newsletter, so I hope you have time to read through it carefully.

Upcoming Reporting

As part of our ongoing professional learning, teachers have been developing their knowledge and confidence in reporting student progress and achievement against the Ministry of Education’s new curriculum and descriptors for English and Mathematics.

This work has focused on making accurate, strengths-based judgements about student learning and includes opportunities for moderation through professional dialogue. Particular attention has also been given to identifying clear next learning steps for students.

In our next newsletter, we will provide further information about the new descriptors, what each of them means, and what our updated student reports for 2026 will look like.

Book Character Day and Readathon

It was fantastic to see so many students dressing up today as their favourite book characters. Today’s celebrations, along with the current Readathon kindly organised by the PTA, reinforce the importance of reading and developing a love of books.

The benefits of reading are well researched and documented. Research consistently shows that habitual reading, especially reading for pleasure, is linked to improved health and well-being, greater academic achievement, enhanced cognitive function, and even longer life expectancy.

Thank you to our PTA for supporting this wonderful initiative, and thank you to families for continuing to encourage reading at home. Keep encouraging your children to read, it truly makes a difference!

Digital Learning Survey

Thank you to the 130 parents who provided feedback through our recent digital learning survey. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your voice and perspectives with us.

Our first step has been analysing the information gathered. From this, the key message emerging from the survey is a desire for a more intentional, transparent, and balanced approach to the use of digital tools in learning.

Our next steps will involve completing a research review and gathering further feedback from both teachers and students. Following this, we will develop a pathway forward to ensure our digital learning practices are the very best they can be for our learners.

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 20 MayBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 22 MayKahikatea Hansen Park Walk (9:30am-1:30pm)
Wed 27 MayYear 5-8 South Zone Cross Country Event
Fri 29 MayStaff Only Day - School Closed
Mon 1 JuneKing's Birthday - School Closed
Wed 3 JunePTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 4 JuneTrees4Survival Planting Day
Fri 5 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 10 JunePSC Artistic Gymnastics (Chch School of Gymnastics)
Fri 12 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
Wed 17 JuneBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
Wed 1 JulyPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyLast Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3

Citizen of the Week

Kyle - Year 8

Kyle, you consistently demonstrate all of our school values in everything you do. You show genuine kindness and inclusion in every setting, making others feel welcome and supported. You are a loyal friend with an honest and caring nature, and you approach every challenge with a positive, fun-loving attitude. Kyle - well done!

Nina - Year 6

Nina, your gentle and patient nature makes you a pleasure to be around, and this shows in the culture you set in the learning space. You consistently impress by how you stay deeply concentrated on your tasks, showing a level of focus that leads to wonderful results while also bringing your fun and outgoing energy. You have a fantastic balance of personality and diligence; you should be very proud of your progress.  

School Notices

Public Health Nurse

My name is Holly, and I am the Public Health Nurse for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. 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

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.

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction or saying, and a 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:He rau ringa e oti aiThis means many hands make light work. So, let’s focus on working together as a team!
Whakataukī:Mauria te ponoThis means to Believe in Yourself!
Saying:Ka kite anōThis means see you later!
Instruction:Turituri!Be quiet!
Kupu:ManuhiriThis is the word for guests or visitors.
Kupu:HōtokeWinter (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.

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

BTKOP Cross Country - Champions & Runners Up

Our school cross country was a fantastic success, with students showing determination, resilience, encouragement, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day. It was wonderful to see so many tamariki challenging themselves and supporting one another across every race. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our Cross Country Champions and Runners-Up listed below — an incredible effort from all involved. Congratulations also to Fisher House, who took out the Inter-House Cross Country Cup this year!

Koru:
Champions: Thomas & Devon
Runners-Up: Max & Izzy

Year 1:
Champions: Arthur & Tallulah
Runners-Up: Rafael & Athena

Year 2:
Champions: Greyson & Erin
Runners-Up: Max & Sadie

Year 3:
Champions: Hugo & Leah
Runners-Up: Bear & Hanaē

Year 4:
Champions: Beau & Florence
Runners-Up: Mason & Violet

Year 5:
Champions: Hunter & Amelia
Runners-Up: Jos & Stella

Year 6:
Champions: Ethan & Laurien
Runners-Up: Simon & Chloe

Year 7:
Champions: Haydn & Jayme
Runners-Up: Lucas & Clara

Year 8:
Champions: Zach & Laura
Runners-Up: Ben & Misha

PTA News

Readathon - Thank you

Thank you for all your hard work on the Readathon! If there are any last-minute forms or sponsorship money to return, you are welcome to bring it next week - we still have plenty of bookmarks!
 
Sponsorship money can also be paid directly into the account:  
PTA-Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto 12-3148-0244558-00

PTA Supporters Group

We’re always looking for people to support our fundraisers and events, so if you’re keen to get involved (but can’t attend meetings), you can join our Supporters Group:

Help us tidy up the school grounds!

We would love you to join us for a garden and outdoor space tidy up (and BBQ!) on Sunday, 24th May at 10am. Meet at Tree-mendous with your gardening gloves and tools!

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - 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.)

ACTT Parent Seminar (Mandarin)

Many children growing up in New Zealand today are navigating life between two cultures. This Mandarin-language seminar explores how parents can better understand “third culture” children and create a safe space for communication and connection at home.

Saturday 16 May
1:00 PM
Halswell Library

Free childcare available for children aged 5–12. Please scan the QR code on the poster to register.

ACTT亲子讲座

在新西兰长大的孩子，往往生活在两个文化之
间。本场中文讲座将帮助家长更理解「第三文
化」孩子的内心世界，并学习如何建立一个让
孩子愿意沟通与表达的安全空间。

5月16日（星期六）
下午1点
Halswell 图书馆

提供5–12岁儿童看顾服务。
请扫描海报二维码报名。

Spaces Available at Pebbles

Dear Families,
We are pleased to share that we currently have spaces available in our Kea Room at Pebbles Montessori Cashmere (26 Colombo Street), for children under 2 years of age.

Our centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm, including throughout the school holidays. We close for a two-week period over Christmas each year.

At Pebbles Montessori, we warmly welcome all enquiries. You can get in touch via the online enquiry form on our website linked here. We would love the opportunity to show you around our centre, introduce you to our teaching team, and give you a chance to observe our Montessori philosophy in practice.

If you would prefer to speak with us directly or arrange a visit, please feel free to call us at any time on 021 274 1967. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your family to our community.
Kind regards,
Pebbles Montessori Team

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 1st May 2026

Posted on by

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

A big thank you to all those who attended our cross country event today. It was fantastic to see such strong community support, and even better to watch our students giving it their all in the sunshine at Beckenham Park. Events like this really highlight the spirit and energy of our kura.

Important Strategic Review - Use of Digital Devices for Learning 

We are beginning a strategic review of the use of digital technologies in our school. This is important work as we consider how digital tools can best support learning, wellbeing, and balance for our students. We value your voice in this process and invite you to contribute by completing the survey linked below. Your feedback will play an important role in shaping our future direction. Ideally we would get feedback from every whānau/family in our school. 

Please fill in the 5 question below to contribute your voice to the future of learning at our school: 

Chicken Update

You may have seen earlier in the week that some of our chickens will be competing in the Christchurch Premier Chicken Athletics Event, Chicken Stock. Adding to the excitement, yesterday we had our first eggs produced by the chickens! This created a real buzz across the school, with students eager to see and learn more about the process.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 6 MayPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 7 MayU11 NFL Tournament (Yr 4-6)
Fri 8 MayCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 13 MayGirls Got Game - Basketball Programme
Thu 14 MayTeam Kauri Trip to Cashmere High School
Fri 15 MayBook Character Day
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

Julia - Year 4

Julia, 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, Julia!

Maya - Year 5

Maya, you are the kind of person who makes our school feel like a community. You show kindness and empathy every day, and you’re always quick to help others and include everyone. You take on challenges with confidence and treat everyone with respect. Thank you for being such a positive role model.

School Notices

Pedestrian Crossing and Road Safety on Sandwich Road

We know that everyone is keen to keep our tamariki safe as they travel to and from school. To support this, please always use the pedestrian crossing when crossing the road. Please do not cross over the road outside of the crossing. This is especially important during the busy pick-up and drop-off times with increased traffic around the school. 

Please also remember that the 3-minute 'Kiss & Go' drop off zone on the school side of Sandwich Road is MAX 3 minutes - not enough time for you to get out of your car and go into school to drop off or collect your child, or to sit waiting in your car. If everyone uses this area as a quick drop-off/pick-up point, then all of the traffic will flow more smoothly, and the surroundings will be much safer for our children. 

Thank you for working together to keep our tamariki safe!

September Staff Only Day

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date for our upcoming Staff Only Day in September has changed. The original date of 11th September has been rescheduled to 4th September. 

Term 2 Reminder - 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 has 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 only 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.  
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 throughout 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.

Ezlunch - School Lunch Deliveries

Ordering Ezlunch through Kindo is quick, easy, and one less thing to think about in the morning. You order from home (or on the go), and your child's lunch is delivered to school, ready to eat.
Here's how:
1. Log in to the Kindo app (or set up an account at shop.kindo.co.nz)
2. Pick from the menu on your school's available days
3. Your child collects their lunch at school

Order & win! 
Every Ezlunch order placed between 27 April - 22 May goes in the draw to win 1 of 5 x $50 Kindo credits each week. Order here: mykindo.co.nz
T&Cs apply. 

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction, 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:Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te arohaThis means it’s the thought that counts.
Whakataukī:Whakarite ngā kete mō te haerenga!This means filling our kete for the journey.
Instruction:Whakarongo maiThis means listen to me
Instruction:Titiro maiThis means look at me.
Kupu:HīkoiThis means walk
Kupu:ArohaThis means love

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.

Staff Profiles

Welcome Stacey Hurst - Assistant Caretaker

Hi, I’m Stacey. I moved to New Zealand two years ago with my family from Western Australia. My three children currently attend Beckenham School.

I have been working as a professional gardener for the past 20 years. I look forward to learning more about native plants of New Zealand and love seeing all the restoration work to bring back native habits throughout Christchurch and the rest of the country.

Chicken Chat

Chicken Stock - Poultry Athletics Competition

As shared earlier this week via Hero - 'Our school chickens continue to be a real highlight around the kura! A big thank you to the students and whānau who are giving their time to ensure these chickens receive such high-quality care in our school environment.
We’re excited to share an egg-citing opportunity… a few of our chickens have been selected to compete in Christchurch’s premier chicken athletics event – Chicken Stock! 

It would be fantastic to see as many of you there as possible to support Potato, Ripeka, and one more soon-to-be-named representative as they proudly represent Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in events such as:
  • The Egg Pull – a true test of strength as chickens attempt to pull a tray of 12 eggs across the arena
  • The High Jump – clearing increasingly difficult obstacles until only one chicken remains
  • The Maze – sounds simple… but is it?
  • Chicken Dressage – precision routines (yes, really!)
  • Roundest Chicken – the quest for the most perfectly spherical chook
  • The Legendary Stair Climb – the ultimate poultry showdown
  • Best in Show – your chance to vote for your favourite chicken!
You can find more information about the event here:
Please note: the photo attached below has been enhanced (slightly) using Artificial Intelligence.'

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

Tennis Success for Matthew

We’re really proud to share that Matthew from Year 6 was selected to represent Canterbury in the Under-12 squad at the National Teams event during the holidays.

Over four days of competition, the team had a fantastic run and finished as runners-up overall. They had some great wins along the way, including tight 5–4 games against Central and Waikato Bays, a 6–3 win over Northern, and a strong 7–2 victory against Southern.

While Auckland took out the final 3–6, the Canterbury team showed real determination and teamwork throughout the tournament, competing well against some tough opposition.

Primary Sports Canterbury Aquathon

The Aquathon was a fantastic event, with students showing great enthusiasm, determination, and resilience throughout the day. It was awesome to see everyone challenging themselves and supporting one another, creating such a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
A quick shout-out to Samson for his outstanding sportsmanship—encouraging others, showing respect, and being a great role model throughout the event.

PTA News

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Readathon is up and running! 

Hopefully, everyone is keeping up with their Daily Reading Target, finding plenty of books to read or share, and getting a few sponsors.  

And why not try to Stop, Drop, and READ together as a whānau!

Additional forms are available from the office. 

The PTA will be at school from Monday, 11th May, to collect sponsorship forms and present a new bookmark to each Reader. 

Book Character Day

On Friday, 15th May, it’s Book Character Day - come to school dressed as your favourite book character!!

PTA Secondhand Uniform Room Hours

The PTA Uniform room is open on Mondays from 2:45 - 3:15pm and on Fridays from 8:45 - 9:15am.

The uniforms are all very reasonably priced, and with the colder weather now here, check to make sure you have a fleece or sweatshirt for your child.

You can pay by cash in the uniform room or by EFTPOS at the office.

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - 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.)

Girls Rugby “Have a Go” Festival Day Sunday 3 May

This fun, girls‑only morning is all about giving rugby a go, building confidence, and having fun with friends in a supportive environment. No previous rugby experience is required.

Event Details
  • Date: Sunday 3 May
  • Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm (approximately)
  • Venue: Burnside Rugby Football Club
 Who Is It For?
This event is open to girls from Rip grade through to Year 8, including:
  • Girls who are brand new to rugby and want to have a go
  • Girls who want to try tackle rugby or build confidence with new skills
  • Current tackle players
  • Rippa players who just want to play, connect, and have some fun
Girls will be grouped by age and experience, so everyone feels comfortable and supported.

What to Expect
  • Fun skill‑based activities
  • Optional contact and tackle‑style sessions (age‑appropriate)
  • Games and “have‑a‑go” opportunities
  • A mini festival atmosphere with plenty of encouragement
  • Support with connecting players to local clubs for future opportunities
We’re also hoping to finish the morning with a BBQ.

How to Register
Register using the link below:
Sunday Girls Festival Day – “Have a Go” Event Registration Link – Fill out form

After School Climbing Club - 5-8 Year old Classes

This term, Boulder Co. Climbing Gym is launching a brand new afterschool bouldering class for 5–8 year olds.

Bouldering is a fantastic activity for young children. It builds:
• Physical strength, coordination, and body awareness
• Confidence and resilience - every problem solved is a genuine achievement
• Problem-solving and focus - kids learn to read a route and think creatively
• Social skills in a supportive and non-competitive environment
• A love of movement that carries well beyond the bouldering gym

2026 Term 2 dates for the 5-8yr old classes:
Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm starting 21st April. Running for 11 weeks.

No experience is needed - our experienced coaches welcome complete beginners and work at every child's own pace in a safe, purpose-built environment. We keep the prices as affordable as possible with options available for non-members and members.

We already run established term programmes for 9-12 year olds and 13-17 year olds, and we're thrilled to now be able to cater to our youngest climbers too. 
Full details on all classes, including days, times, and how to book can be found linked here.

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

Posted on by

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