Beckenham School Moving Forward 2019-05-27 12:30:00

 Newsletter - Outdoor Spaces Update 3

26th March 2019

We held a community meeting to discuss the Pūkaki play area on 4th March. It was great to have so many people interested in this first project. This meeting highlighted the need for us to create a space for our school community to be able to easily access the information about the outdoor spaces development around the school and to keep informed of up and coming events.

A tab has been created on the school website for you to be able to access the newsletter updates that we send out all in one place, along with information about the processes we are following and the projects that are currently being working on.

We are aware that the development of the outdoor spaces is taking time as we have had to work with the MOE and having heritage trees on site. As a committee, we are committed to ensuring that we achieve the best possible outcomes for all. Having student voice and involvement is an important element of this process as the children are the ones who will be using the spaces and are our guardians of this land. We also want to ensure that the areas created across the school have a consistent ‘flow’. The school cultural narrative is our guiding theme. The cultural narrative is our story and what makes our space in the world unique. Here is our school cultural narrative if you are unfamiliar with it. It also explains the development and significance of our school logo and building names too.

We have developed a set of protocols to be governed by to ensure the developments across the school are equitable. These are the Beckenham Outdoor Spaces Committee Process Protocols as approved by the BOT:
Guidelines/Process
1.Gathering Ideas (Students) based on set criteria they must

  • Support our cultural narrative
  • Be accessible for all children
  • Support neurodiverse as well as neurotypical students (different spaces for different purposes; busy/quiet spaces)
  • Be achievable 
  • Be within the set budget (organised by the Outdoor Spaces team)

2. Refine ideas and put into 2-3 plans for consideration
3. Expert involvement (landscape architect and playground expert) of review of the plans
4. Confirm the plan- costings, timeline etc.
5. Ensure plans meet safety guidelines
6. Install the project

Here are our latest developments 

Pūkaki Play Space

The plans for the Pukaki play space are all ready to go. We are awaiting a tree report to understand the viability of working on and around the tree roots.

Junior Playground 

The children are currently being asked for their input into the refurbishment of this play area. We plan to repaint and repair damaged and worn areas on the current playground and will add new items to enhance what is already there. The children across the school will be asked for their ideas for what they would like to see updated and added. It is important that we have student involvement as they are the ones who will be using the area. We would like to begin this over the Term 2 holidays and complete this in the first few weeks of Term 2 so the children receive the greatest benefit.

Court Markings

We are aware that we need to add some court games across the school. The senior school are investigating what types of court markings that they would like to install across the school. This may include hopscotches, four square, twister, chess etc. We will send out the plans when they are developed. This will give the children more games to be able to play at break times and maximise the use of our court space.
Examples of court markings
Trees for Canterbury 
We are currently putting in an order from trees for Canterbury for us to use across the school.

Outdoor Spaces Committee

Outdoor Spaces Update 2

Newsletter - Outdoor Spaces Update 2

19 December 2018

The Outdoor Spaces team are currently working on developing a new play space at the end of Pūkaki, on the bark area, for the NE children. At this stage, when the newest members of our school start, the main playground is a distance from their hub and they only have direct access to the inner courtyard. For many, the sheer size of our school is quite daunting so creating a play area close to the hub will help to provide a safe area for them to play.

Over the past few weeks, the children in the NE team have investigated possible play items for this space and designed plans for this area. The children are very keen to have a sand pit (this needs to be covered to protect it from animals and the elements), a fort-like play structure (for their play-based learning and inquiry) and balance beams (for locomotor activities).

Examples of Student Designs

Last week the outdoor spaces team met to review the students’ designs and begin to plan this area. They identified some  potential limitations in the area due to the wonderful trees that inhabit the space. Keeping in line with our cultural narrative and the planting that has already occured in the school, the team now has a plan for this area which is ready for community consultation.

The committee is aware that this is one area of many across the school that require development, and will fund it accordingly. Below is the proposed design for the space.

Proposed Design Plan
We invite you to email Matthew McDonald matthew@odab.co.nz with any feedback regarding this plan by Friday 18th January. The aim will be to start this area at the beginning of Term 1 2019, so the children can utilise this space as soon as possible.

Beckenham Outdoor Spaces Committee




Newsletter – Outdoor Spaces Update 1

Newsletter - Outdoor Spaces Update 1
November 2018

An Outdoor Spaces Committee has been established to help guide and oversee the development of the outdoor spaces at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. The PTA has done an INCREDIBLE job over the past 2-3 years dedicating their fundraising efforts to enable us to develop the outside areas across the school.

The committee comprises of: Matthew Macdonald (BOT), Paulette Newton (staff), Amanda Wolt (PTA), Natalie Doering (parent) and Carmel Wade (parent/architect).

The committee has been meeting each fortnight and so far has worked together to:
Develop a set of guidelines and processes to enable the school to achieve the best outcome for our students. 
Identified the purpose of the outdoor spaces so there is a natural ‘flow’ across the school. Criteria:

  • Reflect the school’s cultural narrative
  • Accessible for all
  • Fun and meet the needs of all students
  • Able to grow as the school grows. 

3. Identified areas across the school for development and begun to create a timeline for these.
4. Present and ask for school engagement in the process. We have met with the Student School Council about using the school logo - Matau (hook) - to influence the shape of the renewed play space at the centre of the school. They were very excited about this!

We understand that this will be an ongoing plan that will have a number of smaller projects within it. The costings for each of the projects will need to be worked through. The fundraising the PTA has done will be a wonderful contribution towards getting these plans underway, but we don’t assume for a moment that it will cover the total costs! We will be making grant applications and seeking further funding from a variety of sources. Ministry of Education operational funding that the school receives each year is not able to be used to support significant capital investments such as these.

As the children are the Kaitiaki (guardians) of the school grounds and will be the ones using the spaces, it is essential they have a strong voice in this process. Much of the planning and design work will be developed and generated by the students, which is an authentic learning experience. This is such an exciting opportunity, and one that we know will take time to plan to ensure we get the best outcome possible. 

The first area that we hope to develop with the students is Pūkaki (new entrants hub). The students have begun the process of generating ideas for this area. We hope to share the ideas before the end of term and work towards development early in term 1.

We will put regular updates in the school newsletter to keep you informed of proposed plans, and at times we will be seeking your input and ideas and offers of support for working bees as we action different areas across the school.





Kōwhai News Week 1 Term 2

Welcome back, everyone!

We are really looking forward to seeing the children on Monday and hearing all about their amazing adventures over the past two weeks.

This term we welcome Dorinda to our teaching team. She is super excited to be working full time with our tamariki and we are so pleased to have her incredible talents at our disposal! Our home groups are all beginning in new spaces this term so the children and teachers have an appreciation of the areas in our learning space.
Kate- The Breakout Room
Rowe-Nook
Nick-Gallery
Dorinda- Atrium

What's on this term?

This term we will be learning about inventions and what it means to be innovative. We have some really cool learning experiences for the children to explore these ideas and we will also integrate this into our Literacy programme.

Reading

This term, children reading Level 20 and below will continue to have a guided reading session every day with their teacher and will take home a browsing book for reading fluency each night.

Children reading above Level 20, will be asked to have a chapter book that they can comfortably read and for enjoyment. If your child is reading a chapter book at home, please send this to school on Monday in their book bag. Each day after morning tea, the children will DROP and READ for 15minutes. This will also be the book they will read at home at night for 15-20 minutes.
We would encourage you to discuss what your child had read to you to ensure they understand any new vocabulary and to monitor they are comprehending what they are reading. Continuing to read to your child is invaluable!

School Photos

Apologies, in the madness of packing up the hub in preparation for getting the carpets cleaned, the school photos didn't get sent home. These will come home with your child on MONDAY and will be found in their book folder. Please make sure your child has their book folder at school.

Swimming

THANK-YOU to all the wonderful parents who have kindly offered their support at our swimming lessons. Rowe and Kate are taking over the organisation of this and will be in touch to confirm the days that you are needed. We only need one more parent for Wednesday 22nd May. If you can help, please fill in this form.

XCountry

We have our school cross country on Monday 6th May. Our start times are at approximately Year 3- 2.15pm and Year 4 - 2.20pm. We do need the help of some parents on the day to be course marshalls. If you are able to help us, please fill in this google form ASAP so we can ensure the safety of the children on the day. On Monday, we will walk the children around the course so they know where to go.  Here is the map of the route they will run for your reference.
The track is as follows:

  • Start at the cricket pavilion facing school
  • Run towards school
  • Turn right to run parallel alongside school
  • Turn right to run away from school running in front of the tennis courts
  • Turn right to run along the back fence behind the row of trees.
  • Turn right to join the gravel path that runs in front of the cricket pavilion.
  • Stay on the gravel path and follow it along the ponds and back up to the school for a second lap of the park.
  • Turn right and run behind the tennis courts.
  • Turn right to run along the back fence behind the row of trees.
  • Turn right to join the gravel path that runs in front of the cricket pavilion.
  • Turn right, guided by the cones into the finishing shoot.
  • After crossing the finish line stay in order and line up at your year group’s
Reminder from school newsletter 12 April
Early closing - Tuesday 7th May
As you may be aware, the negotiations between our teachers' union, NZEI, and the Ministry of Education continue with no agreement yet in sight. We are hosting a paid union meeting at Beckenham on Tuesday 7th May (replacing the meeting that was cancelled last term following March 15th events). We will be closing at 1:45pm on that day and request that you arrange for your children to be collected at 1:45pm, please.

That's all for now! Have a wonderful week ahead

Kōwhai Teaching Team

Kōwhai News Week 10 Term 1




Hi everyone, 
It's hard to believe that the term has come to an end. We have really enjoyed getting to know all our families over the past few weeks and have been impressed with the way the children are learning and working together in our hub. We hope you all have a great two-week break and an enjoyable and safe Easter. Apologies, for not handing out our school photos this afternoon. We were busy packing up the hub as our carpets are being cleaned. If you desperately want/need your photo during the holidays, please contact Paulette and she will attempt to arrange to get to you or sharing them with you.



Welcome to Dorinda
We are really lucky and excited to have Dorinda Hampton joining our team next term while Paulette is acting DP in Sandy's absence. Dorinda brings a wealth of knowledge and skill and we feel very lucky to have her teaching full time in Kōwhai. The children are looking forward to having her work with them too, especially the ones she taught last year.
Choir
Today the Kōwhai choir performed at the school Celebration Assembly. We were impressed with how well they performed as many of the children were extremely nervous with performing in front of an audience. We are aware that many of our parents work, so here are some videos of the children singing. A huge thank you to Dorinda for providing this opportunity for our tamariki. She came in especially today to conduct their performance.




Swimming
As you will have read, we have our swimming lessons next term at Aqua Gym. So far we have only had 8 responses from parents offering to assist us. We still need more parent help for our mornings at the pool to enable us to go. If you are able to assist, please use this google form to let us know what days you can help us. Thank you so much!

Passion Time
Each Friday, we offer the children the opportunity to pursue some 'Passions'. Next term the children have been offered the choices of Te Reo extension, French, German, Sport, Paper Crafts, Thorrington Rest Home and Robotics. If you would like to come along and take a small group of children for a Passion, we would love to hear from you. Next term, our Passions Time will be each Friday from 9.30am-10.30am. 

Mini ball
A HUGE thank you to Jamie Day, Dean Ingils and Nigel Easson for giving their time to coach mini ball teams this term. The children have absolutely loved this opportunity to play mini ball and it has been wonderful to see their skills grow over the course of the term. We will offer mini ball again in Term 4 so keep an eye out in Term 3 for mini ball information. 
FYI_ Please make sure you return your child's mini ball shirt to the school office next term.

Well, that's all for now.  See you all in two weeks time!
Kōwhai teaching team