We have spent the last week and a half learning about  WW1 ANZACs. In the process we have been developing our research skills, using a variety of websites including Cenotaph and Papers Past. Our trip to the Airforce Museum built on this knowledge, including a very good session on Gallipoli. The children are about to start a letter writing task that uses the knowledge they have gained from their research. This ties in with our focus for this term: 'We must act to sustain what is valued'.

Dunedin Camp:

It is just over two weeks until we are off to Dunedin. Tomorrow we will be talking with the children about camp. They will bring home a paper notice that will include a gear list. I will also send you an electronic copy of this notice. The first evening meal will be a pasta bake. We would like these to be prepared before we go. Please click here if you would be happy to prepare a pasta bake for 8 people. We will provide ingredients, including a foil baking dish.

Cheese Rolls:

We have exceeded expectations with cheese roll orders. The only things we now need are a parent to help on Wednesday afternoon and three electric knives. Please click this link if you can help us out.
There has been some discussion around packaging and we have decided that one option will be to provide your own packaging. On Monday and Tuesday we will put a tub outside the hall to gather labelled (child, hub and number of orders) containers. For those who don't provide containers, we will use the same packaging we used last year.

Congratulations and good luck:

A big well done to all of those who competed in the Hanmer 4 Hour mountain biking event last weekend. Beckenham had 6 teams entered and took out two 2nd places and two 3rd places. Congratulations to Boyd, Winni, Paolo, Sam, Tamryn and Charlie from our team.

Next week we have children competing in the Canterbury Duathlon on Monday and the Police Competency Test on Tuesday. We know you will do us proud and give of your very best.

School Fair Tomorrow:

There is lots of excitement about the fair tomorrow. We have a number of children who have volunteered to help setup, cleanup or help on game stalls. The hall is the meeting place for these children. If you have yet to send your can of coconut milk or your mystery bottle to the fair HQ, please send these in tomorrow morning, along with your plate of home baking.

Below is the collaborative art produced by your children. Wouldn't one of these artworks look great on your wall? Make sure you place your bid at the fair.

St Andrew's College Open Day:

A huge thanks to all those who are supporting Year 7 & 8 camp fundraising by purchasing cheese rolls. There is only one day left to order your tasty cheese rolls. Orders close tomorrow, Thursday. Cheese rolls will be sent home with your child on either the Wednesday (Koru and Kowhai) or Thursday (Pōhutukawa and Kauri) before Easter. $8 for one dozen or $30 for 4 dozen.

Click here to order your cheese rolls now.

There are only five days left to order your tasty cheese rolls. Orders close this coming Thursday. Cheese rolls will be sent home with your child on either the Wednesday (Koru and Kowhai) or Thursday (Pōhutukawa and Kauri) before Easter. $8 for one dozen or $30 for 4 dozen.

Many thanks for supporting Kauri Whānau with our Dunedin camp fundraising.

Click here to order your cheese rolls now.

We have had another very busy week, with leadership, duathlon and zone swimming sports. A special well done to those children who have stepped up to show they love challenge. It was heartening to see the number of children giving their all during the duathlon on Monday. We are now settling back into routine. Please check out the important messages below.

Leadership Week:

Last week was filled with lots of learning, laughter and leadership experiences. We have had such good feedback about the Year 7s, from their day leading in the junior classes. The Year 8s really made the most of the opportunities on their two day camp. See the photos at the end of this post. A big thanks to Simon, Cory and Nicola, who helped out over the two days. Also thanks to Sandy and Jarred for stepping in when my voice disappeared! 

World War One Inquiry:

This week we have leapt into our inquiry: 'Walking with an ANZAC'. The children have each been given an artefact that links to a New Zealand soldier. This artefact is linked to a website which will guide the children on a journey to research their soldier. There was lots of excitement today when the artefacts were handed out. Tomorrow, Thursday, we are off to the Airforce Museum to learn more about World War One.

Cheese roll fundraising:

Have you ordered your cheese rolls yet? A big thanks to the 13 families from our hub who have. We are aiming for 300 dozen and so far have orders for 95 dozen.  Please click here to place your order.

Our cheese roll making days are two weeks away on Wednesday March 28 and Thursday March 29. We need parent help with supplying equipment and supervisory manpower. Please click here to indicate if you can help.

Comedy Night Fundraiser:

Make sure you have marked Saturday April 7th in your diary. This is the evening of our comedy night fundraiser. Jenny will be contacting the parents who offered to help soon, to get the organisation for this evening underway. We have the comedians  booked and the alcohol licence sorted, so we are well on the way.

Dunedin Camp $$:

The exciting news of the week came when we heard that The Southern Trust agreed to grant us money towards our transport and accomodation costs for camp. We have set a target to raise $2000 from our cheese roll fundraiser and another $2000 from the comedy evening. When all the sums are done, the cost of five days of awesome learning experiences in Dunedin, including accomodation, food and transport, comes out at $160 per child. We are thrilled to be able to get this camp to such a reasonable price. A huge thanks to the Southern Trust and those supporting our fundraising projects.

Being leaders in our junior hubs.

Year 8s unlock the maze, in silence!

Tarryn inspired us with her passion for volunteering.

Catching the bus into town was a great experience. We 'sharpened the saw' at the Margaret Mahy playground.

A bedtime story before settling down for the night.

'Thinking win win', the children worked together on the climbing challenge.

Taking up the duathlon challenge.

Throughout the next two terms we will be passing on information about high school open days.

The link to the cheese roll order form didn't quite make it onto the newsletter this evening, but never fear, here it is.

Order your cheese rolls here.