Author Archives: Sandy Hastings, Principal, Beckenham School

Beckenham Newsletter 5 February 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

It was amazing for our teachers to catch up with so many of you over the two learning conference days. Thank you so much for making the time to set the year up so well for your children and to ensure that you met with teachers. We know that the children have been mostly excited (and a bit nervous for some) about being back at school, and we hope you have had happy children at the end of each day yesterday and today.

Please remember that any concerns or wonderings should always be communicated to the child's hom group teacher in the first instance. Email is ideal if you don't see them in passing, and they will always endeavour to respond to you within 24 hours.

We apologise in advance if we have some communication challenges in the upcoming few weeks - we have just this week switched over to a new student mangement computer system and some of our data hasn't switched well from the old system to the new one. It will take Jacky some time to go through the contact forms that you completed at learning conferences and make sure that we have your information correctly in the new system. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

I know our teachers have had a huge week this week, first preparing, then with learning conferences, and then yesterday and today teaching. We are all looking forward to the long weekend and then to establishing a more typical routine next week.

Have a great Waitangi Day on Monday!

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our Staff, Board, PTA, BOSCO picnic from 5-7pm next Friday, 12th Feb. Bring your picnic/fish'n'chips and a blanket, and come along and meet up with other families. There will be some games, including Ki-o-rahi, and a bouncy castle.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates


Upcoming Events

Mon 8 Feb SCHOOL CLOSED - WAITANGI DAY
Wed 10 Feb CSM Outreach Band programme enrolment evening 5-6pm
Fri 12th Feb - School Picnic 5-7pm

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.

School Notices

School Donations, and $5 Stationery Charge

Many thanks to all of the families who have already paid their $5 stationery charge (for either pens or maths exercise books). This is very much appreciated. If you haven't yet paid, please would you arrange to do this next week.

We will shortly be sending out a request for the $150 school donation. Remember that you can claim back 33% of this from the IRD, so effectively this is only costing you $100 per child. If you would like to get organised with a monthly or fortnightly payment for this we suggest the following amounts:
  • fortnightly $5.75 per child = $149.50 /yr (or $10-$12 per Y7-8 child if you want to pay for most of camp across the year. There is no Y5/6 camp this year)
  • monthly $12.50 per child = $150 /yr ($25 per Y7-8 child if you want to pay for most of camp across the year. There is no Year 5/6 camp this year)
Thank you to those families who have already set this up, or who have paid their donations already. 

Sunhats are needed at school EVERY DAY

We are noticing a small number of children do not have their sunhats at school yet - PLEASE ensure that your child has a hat EVERY day. They need this to be able to participate in outside learning activities during the day.

Second Hand Uniform Shop (PTA)

The PTA run an amazing service for our community by offering second hand uniform for sale back to families at a very reasonable price. If you have good quality uniform that your children have grown out of and would like to donat it to the uniform shop, please bring it to the office, or take it to the uniform shop when it is open.
Opening hours:
Mondays & Fridays from 2:50pm - 3:15pm

CSM Outreach Band programme at Beckenham for 2021...

There will be an info session about the CSM Outreach Band Programme this coming Wednesday, February 10th at 5pm in the Pōhutukawa Hub for parents and students (Years 5-8) to come and try the instruments, find out about costs and talk to the tutors.  If you know that your child wants to enrol, or re-enrol for music lessons this year please fill in the link below re Band Enrolment.   Band and lessons will start on the 17th of February.
If you have questions, please email Jody Keehan at: outreachband@csm.org.nz

Kapa Haka 2021

We are very excited to confirm that Whaea Cath Milio will continue as our Kapa Haka tutor this year. We will be offering kapa haka rōpū (groups) from Year 3 - Year 8, and Cath will be supporting the teachers in NE through to Year 2 with their hub programmes.

In the Kōwhai team, ALL children participate in Kapa Haka for Term 1. 
From Year 5 through to Year 8, Kapa Haka becomes optional. Whaea Cath would like to open the Y5/6 and Te Whānau Mahi Tahi rōpū up to newcomers for the start of the year. If your child has not opted into Kapa Haka before, but would like to give it another try, they are able to join in for the first 4-5 weeks. At that point, all of the children will be asked to decide if they want to commit for the rest of the year. 
We hope to see both our senior Kapa Haka groups increase in size up to around 40-45 members.
Please talk with your child (if they are in Y5-8) about taking up this opportunity.


Kapa Haka will happen on Friday mornings. Te Whānau Mahi Tahi from 9-9:45am, followed by Pōhutukawa Kapa Haka from 9:45 - 10:30am. These groups meet in the north BOSCO room.

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Basketball Hoops

Our tamariki have asked for more basketball hoops so that they can practise shooting at break times. One idea they had was creating a backboard for one side of the double-sided netball hoops. We would love to hear from anyone interested in supporting us with this project. Please email Jenny at jenny.diggle@beckenham.school.nz

Parking in the 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the stretch of road adjacent to the Admin building on Sandwich Road 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.

Clarification of dates for the start of the 2021 school year…

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Kia ora koutou

My apologies for any confusion caused by a couple of incorrect dates for next week's events in the newsletter yesterday.

This information below is correct:

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 2 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb PTA Mtg - Green Room 7:30pm - all welcome
Thu 4 Feb Classes begin
Fri 5 Feb Welcome Assembly
Mon 8 Feb School Closed Waitangi Day
Fri 12 Feb Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Picnic - Everyone welcome

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.


Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto – Start of Year Newsletter for 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Welcome back to what is nearly the start of the 2021 school year. Whilst we don't complain about having warm weather, let's hope that it isn't quite this hot when school starts back next week! I hope that you have all managed to get some time to relax with your whānau at some stage over the summer break.

This newsletter is designed to give you a heads up on lots of important, need-to-know information to ensure that you and your children have as smooth a start to the school year as possible.

Staff have been heading back into school this week, with all teams having met in the last day or two. Our five new teachers have also been participating in an induction programme over the past two days, led by our senior leadership team. All of our staff will be onsite from tomorrow as we have three staff only days on Thursday, Friday and Monday, preparing for the year ahead! 

We will be starting with an exciting morning of sustainability and science, utilising the outdoor environment to understand the links with our cultural narrative. All staff will be involved in this, so the office will be closed in the morning and will open officially at 1pm.

Over the three days we will also be spending time learning how to utilise our new Student Management System. We have a major session planned for our teachers to learn more about the Science of Reading / Structured Literacy approach that we are continuing to understand and utilise to support our teaching of literacy this year. Our staff will also be engaging with some Kapa Haka and increasing their personal commitment to learning more Te Reo Māori.

New teachers induction 'How we do things at Beckenham'!
from left: Quynh Nguyen, Caitlin Worfold, Meagan Mathers, Sue Leadbetter, Nicola Reddecliffe & Lisa Collier

Learning Conferences - next week on Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd Feb

It's not too late to book a learning conference for next week. Every team in the school is slightly different this year, so this is an important opportunity to meet the teachers in your child's team and talk about the upcoming year of learning, even if your child has the same teacher as they had last year.
Please log onto www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and, using the code 4ga7w, log in to the site and book a 30min conference with your child's new teacher.
We only have a limited number of booking slots, so we do ask that separated parents do work together to book a single learning conference for their child so that all families are able to book a time.
Before you attend the learning conference, you might want to think about these questions and discuss them with your child:

Getting ready for your start of year Learning Conference:
  • Talk with your child about what they enjoy learning at school – what they feel they are good at.
  • Are there any barriers/challenges that get in the way of them learning?
  • What would they like to get better at?
  • What kinds of things help them to learn best? (e.g. where they sit, people they do/don’t work with, need for breaks/food/exercise, etc.)
  • Is there anything about your culture, religion, family situation etc that would be helpful for us to know to be able to support your child?
  • Any wonderings, questions?

Stationery 

If you have not yet purchased your child's stationery, you can download the stationery list from the school website.
When you come to the learning conference, please bring $5 with you to pay for two maths books ($2.50 for each book) if your child is in Years 3-8, or for special handwriting whiteboard pens if your child is in NE or Year 1/2 You can also pay for these items at the school office using eftpos before or after your conference.
Pencil Cases: if your child brings a pencil case to school, please keep these small - the storage spaces are not big enough for large, fluffy pencil cases!

Classes begin on Thursday 3rd February

Please ensure that children are dropped at school between 8:30 and 8:55am. There is no supervision before this time. Hubs will be open each day from 8:30am.
As always, we encourage you to foster your child's independence by letting them take their own bag and belongings into the hub to get sorted for the day.
There will be a teacher outside the hub each morning (NE, Y1/2 & Y3/4) if caregivers need to talk with a teacher. The other teachers will be in the hub greeting the children and helping them get set up for the day. 

Transition support

Our staff have created a transition slideshow which is shared here for you to look at with your child(ren). We know that some children will be new to Beckenham and others will benefit from knowing about people and routines in advance. We hope that this will provide a sense of some of the things that are staying the same, and what might be changing or new.


Health & Safety

Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles - 

Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied, and with a school hat and their drink bottle. 

COVID-19 Precautions

Please remember that ALL adults who come on site need to use the QR code to sign in using the school's COVID-19 QR code. These are on hub doors and the office door and there is one outside the library and Pūkaki for when you come onto the school site to pick up children.



We will be using hand sanitiser daily at school - if your child can't tolerate the variety we use at school, please supply your own, and email the teacher to let them know.

Children with Health needs, Emergency Plans and/or medications

If your child has medication that needs to be kept at school it is very impportant that you come into the office and set up a new plan with Jacky for the administration of this. All medication held on site should have been sent back home to you at the end of last year. Please check expiry dates on medications before you bring it in.
If your child has an emergency medical plan for asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, siezure, allergies or any other critical medical emergency, and you have had that plan and or medication updated over the holidays, please also bring that into the office.

Uniform

Please ensure that your child has appropriate uniform ready for the start of school. You can check our uniform guide on the website.
The PTA run a second hand uniform shop from the PTA building behind the caretaker's garage on the corner of Sandwich Road and Eastern Tce. 
The Uniform shop will be open on 
Tuesday 2nd Feb from 10-11am,11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-2:30pm
Wednesday 3rd Feb  from 10-11am and 1:30-2:30pm

Normal term time opening hours will be Mondays & Fridays from 2:50pm - 3:15pm

Building Update



As some of you will have noticed if you have walked past the Eastern Tce end of the school, the old Room 19/20 - Hangere Block has been demolished over the holidays, to make way for a new New Entrant double room hub that will be being built this year for our growing roll, by the Ministry of Education. Whilst this building work is ongoing, the normal Eastern Tce access to school will be closed off. You will still be able to access school from Eastern Tce by using the public path that comes up between the school and the Adventure Playground. The bike shed behind Kōmanawa will still be available.

The Kōmanawa block (New Entrants) has had a much needed toilet refurbish over the holidays as well!

The Treemendous play area will be out of bounds for the duration of the building work.

Welcome Assembly - Friday 5 February 9:15am - 9:30am

 At 9:15am on Friday 5th Feb we will hold our first 'Welcome Assembly' for 2021. At this assembly, we will formally welcome all of the children, families and staff who have joined our school since the last welcome assembly was held on Fri 16th October 2020. We encourage whānau to stay and join us, particularly if you are new to the school - this assembly is to welcome you! The PTA will provide morning tea and an opportunity to meet other families immediately after the assembly.

Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Family Picnic: Friday 12 Feb from 5-7pm

Bring along your picnic or your fish and chips and meet other families, along with our PTA, Staff and BOSCO teams. There will be a bouncy castle and some other games too.


Help needed - simple sewing job.

We are looking for someone who could make some very simple curtains to cover the front of some cupboards in a classroom, please. Nothing fancy - they will be hung on a curtain wire.
We also need some slip covers to be made for some quarter round seats that are starting to look a bit shabby. We can provide an example to cut a simple pattern from. We will provide the material that are required. If you think you could help with one or both of these jobs, please contact Jacky by emailing office@beckenham.school.nz

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 2 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb PTA Mtg - Green Room 7:30pm - all welcome
Thu 4 Feb Classes begin
Fri 5 Feb Welcome Assembly
Mon 8 Feb School Closed Waitangi Day
Fri 12 Feb Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Picnic - Everyone welcome

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week, from Tuesday. 

Sandy and the refreshed and ready-to-get-going team at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto!

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto newsleter Friday 4 December 2020

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We are getting close to the end of the school year, and what a year it has been. COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on our community but together, we have risen to the challenge.

I want to thank you once more, for all you have done to keep yourselves, your whānau and our community as safe as possible. Through reinforcing good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, staying away if sick and seeking medical advice, we have kept operating safely, and our tamariki have, importantly, continued to learn. 

I also extend a specific thank you to all those in our community who have worked in health services and on the frontline to support New Zealand’s defence against COVID-19. They and their families and whānau have sacrificed so much to contribute to our own safety and to support the return home for more than 70,000 New Zealanders. 

You may not be aware of the extent of the work our frontline community do to keep us all safe including regularly being tested, constantly monitoring for symptoms, keeping a close track of their movements, maintaining physical distancing and holding off hugging loved ones when they get home until they have had a shower and changed clothes. 

I am sure you will join me in giving a special thank you to those individuals for all they have done for us.

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year. Stationery lists and home group team and teacher information for 2021 sent home.

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Fern Newick-Taylor - Year 7

Fern, you consistently demonstrate our school values in all that you do. You are kind and inclusive towards others, you embrace opportunities to learn and you show perseverance in the face of challenge. You can always be relied upon to role model positive behaviours for learning and you apply a growth mindset to any situation. Thank you for the wonderful contributions that you bring to our Kauri whānau. 

School Notices

Gift giving at the end of the year

We are aware that gift-giving is one way that people often choose to show appreciation and that this is particularly so at Christmas or the end of the school year.


We talk with the children about the importance of showing appreciation in an ongoing way through words and actions, rather than necessarily through the buying of gifts. Our teachers talk with the children about the value of making and writing cards or small gifts. In that same spirit, we also appreciate hearing that what we have done has been appreciated, and we do not expect parents or students to buy gifts for staff.

Hats

Even though we are in the final days of school, sunhats continue to be a compulsory uniform item. We have very large numbers of children wanting to borrow hats, which we do not have available. Without hats, they miss out on participating in outside activities both during class time and during break times. Please ensure your child comes to school with a hat EVERY day. Please ensure your child's name is written on the inside of their hat. Thank you.

Healthy Opāwaho



Did you know that everything that goes into stormwater drains ends up in our river?  Our Healthy Ōpāwaho student leaders are monitoring one of the drains in our school, and picking up nearby rubbish. Last week, they found a drink can, a broken plant pot, several food wrappers, a broken pencil, a crayon and more.  We want a clean and healthy river...and we don’t want this rubbish entering it!  You could help our river by: 
  • when you go for a walk take a bag and gloves and pick up rubbish you see
  • pick up any dog poo when you’re out walking your pup
  • wash your car on the grass not on the road, so the toxins don’t run into the drains and river
Watch this video for more information:




Healthy Ōpāwaho Ambassadors, picking up litter...

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Lost Property



There is a significant amount of lost property that has accumulated over this term.  Please take a moment to have a look and see if any of it belongs to your family. Lost property is located on either the library deck, or inside the library.  



Mobile Phone Recycling

We continue to have the dropbox at the front desk of admin for people to drop off unwanted mobile phones.  These are mailed to the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme and Sustainable coastlines organisation.

BOSCO

Join us this December holidays for not only Christmas fun like pass the parcel and making beautiful Christmas cards but we will also have a BYO wheels day, pot painting, some baking and a day filled with water fun. Book now to avoid missing out or contact Juanita on 027 645 6632 or email office@bosco.org.nz


Sports News

Canterbury Athletics

A huge congratulations to the children who represented our kura at Ngā Puna Wai on Wednesday. True to any Canterbury level competition, the standard of entries was very high. An example of this was the longest jump of the day by a Year 8 student measuring 5.25 metres. It was a pleasure to see our students hold their own against such strong competition, competing with ambition, integrity and sportsmanship. 

Congratulations to JJ Mathias, Caitlyn McIntosh, Grace Monk, Jonty Mitchell, Ava Howard, Billy Murfin and Zoe Clarke. 

Congratulations to Billy who placed 2nd in the 60 m sprint. Billy ran an amazing race, with just a hair between him and first place. 

Mountain Biking

Congratulations to Morgan Lee, who finished 2nd in Gravity Canterbury’s Dave’s Race last weekend. For most of us, just looking at the course he raced down would make our stomachs turn.

Community Notices

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



Friday Whānau Fun Nights at South Library

An evening of stories, family and fun at the library!

Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, or bring your uncle and cousins – the whole whānau is invited!

Join us on the second Friday of the month for a short storytime, followed by fun, hands-on activities to do as a family. We’ll be building, making, and exploring right here in South library! Come along, create some great family memories, and get your weekend off to a fun start.

Friday 11 December 5-6pm (Christmas)

Age: This is aimed at 5-12 year olds and their family members of any age.

Cost: Free, no bookings required


Christchurch Netball

Christchurch Netball Centre are running netball skill and development sessions in Term 1 2021.Please visit their website to find out more.




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 20 Nov 2020

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Lots of important information in this newsletter... including some staffing information, an update from the Board on the new strategic plan, and lots of dates to put in your calendar for the upcoming final weeks of the school year!

Reports

End of Year reports will be sent home on Tuesday next week. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in your child's report with their teacher, please email them to make a time for a catch-up.
Stationery Lists and Home-Groups for 2021 will still come home on the final day of the school year.

Strategic Plan for 2021-2023

A huge thank you to all the whānau, students and staff, who contributed to the consultation process for the review of our Strategic Plan and consultation for our new Strategic Plan. This has been a very big piece of work over two terms and, last night, the board finalised the new Strategic Plan which we are now able to share with you.
This plan will drive our focus and areas of priority for the next three years. We will still have our 'business as usual' - the foundational work that we continue to do all of the time. This strategic plan highlights the areas of priority and, in some cases, new learning.

We intend to be regularly talking about this plan through newsletters so that you are well informed about the work that we are doing. 

You can also find the plan on our website (which may be easier to read than the images below)





Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 24 Nov: Reports come home
Wed 25 Nov: Canterbury Schools Triathlon - Pegasus
Wed 25 - Fri 27 Nov: Pohutukawa Camp at Living Springs 
Wed 25 Nov: PTA meeting - Green Room, 7:30pm
Sat 29 Nov: PTA Top Team Event - Beckenham Park 
Mon 30 Nov & Tue 1 Dec: Kōwhai Rapaki Marae visit                                                            
Wed 2 Dec: Canterbury Primary School's athletics, Nga Puna Wai Park
Wed 2 Dec: Training and Jazz Band Concert at Hillview Christian School 9:15am
Thu 3 Dec - Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Fri 4 Dec: Year 3/4 Noho Kura (sleepover at school!) from 5:30pm
Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year.

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Austin Reddecliffe - Year 4

Austin, you are an enthusiastic learner and always put your best effort into all areas of the curriculum. You consistently demonstrate a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. You are an outstanding role model to your peers. You are reliable, courteous and thoughtful. Well done, Austin!

Taylor Collins - Year 6

Taylor you are an outstanding role model for all learners in our hub. Your quiet leadership and the gentle, friendly way that you work with your peers truly demonstrates our kete values "We Care" and "We Get There Together". You are kind, helpful, thoughtful and you make a difference in our hub every day. Thank you, Taylor, for giving your best to your learning each and every day. Well done!

Staffing Update

Appointments

We have made three new permanent teacher appointments to our staff, all of whom will start at the beginning of next year. 


Meagan Mathers joins us from Wellington where she has been teaching for the past three years at Kahurangi School in Miramar. Meagan originally hails from Christchurch and is looking forward to returning to her home city and being much closer to her whānau and friends here.


Quynh Nguyen (Quing Noo-en) has been teaching in the Wairarapa at Lakeview School and is also looking forward to returning to Christchurch where she has previously studied. Quynh originates from Vietnam. ‘Coming from a very crowded city of almost 10 million people, I have always dreamed of living where it is not too crowded but not too remote either, and Christchurch was a perfect option. I’d bet that anyone who comes to Christchurch will find something they love about this city. Kei Ōtautahi tōku kāinga ināianei | Christchurch is my home.’


Caitlyn Worsfold has recently completed her teaching qualifications and is currently working at St Martins School. "Following my graduation from the University of Otago in 2016, I made the decision to move to London and fulfil my dream to travel. In 6 months I saw many countries, was able to immerse myself in rich European culture and discover my true passion for teaching. Being a fluent speaker of Spanish and French has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, and meet people all over the world. I live an active, and healthy lifestyle through growing my own produce, exercising regularly and enjoying time outdoors."

Retirements and Resignations

Chris Stace, our longest standing Teaching Assistant, has announced her retirement this week, effective from the end of this school year. Chris has a very long history as a Teacher Aide - first at Sydenham School, then moving to Beckenham when Sydenham closed in 2000. We know that Chris has been thinking about this for a wee while now, and that it has been a really hard decision to make. We so appreciate the care and commitment she has given to our school, and especially to all of the children that she has worked with over the years. She will be so missed, and we wish her a very happy retirement. We look forward to seeing her around the school next year in her capacity as 'grandmother' of two of our students.


Rob Proffitt-White has resigned from his appointment as Deputy Principal, effective during the school holidays. Rob has been shoulder-tapped for a once-in-a career opportunity to work for a global education organisation based in Canada, writing materials and doing project work with Universities and school collaborations at an international level, including an education project with UNESCO. We are gutted to be losing Rob after such a very short time, and we also understand the opportunity he has been offered. Rob has committed to continuing to work with us on an ad-hoc basis going forward and we look forward to learning from his new work too.



School Notices


Junior Neighbourhood support

All these girls overcame lockdown time to do something for others. Layla J and Layla W raised funds to feed gorillas at Orana Park, Molly made a newsletter series for her street and Mia made cards to sell and raised money for Charity Voices of Hope.

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

CSM Outreach Band Information Meeting for 2021 tuition

Will your child be in Years 5-8 next year?
Would they like to learn a band instrument?



We are incredibly fortunate to have access to the CSM Outreach Band programme at Beckenham. This programme has been running in our school now for over 12 years. 
Students are able to learn a wide variety of instruments including:
  • flute
  • oboe
  • clarinet
  • saxophone
  • trumpet
  • trombone, 
  • bass guitar
  • percussion
Due to COVID challenges, we won't be having a Blow Test during school time this year, however, there will be an information evening for parent's and students who are new to the CSM Outreach Band Programme and would like to find out more, and possibly try an instrument on Tuesday 1st December, 7-8pm at Hillview School in the Junior Campus Staffroom.  All interested parents and students who will be in years 5 to 8 in 2021 are welcome to attend.    
So we have an idea of numbers, please register using this link Band Information Meeting Regn

BoardTalk

School Donations – A year in review

This year we made a change to the school donation scheme by requesting a flat $150* contribution per child, rather than a donation plus multiple requests for contributions throughout the year.

The Board of Trustees would like to thank the school community for supporting this change.  It has reduced the complexity of managing multiple small contributions for activities and made planning and budgeting more straightforward. Your contribution goes a long way in helping the school to provide rich and varied experiences for your tamariki.  It is not too late to make a donation.  

Don’t forget that you can claim 33% of your donation including donations for camp, back from IRD at the end of each tax year.  Current rules allow claims for up to 4 years in the past.   You’ll find more information at this link to IRD. https://www.ird.govt.nz/topics/income-tax/tax-credits/tax-credits-for-donations

If you do need a receipt you can email accounts@beckenham.school.nz and request one.  You can only request receipts once the tax year has ended.  Please be aware there could be a small delay in receiving your receipts as the school is transitioning the account management to a new member of staff.    

*School camps are additional request on top of the $150 donation’

PTA News

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Top Team and Community Picnic on 29th November has been cancelled as we are unable to get enough helpers. We would like to thank the 3 people who offered to help on the day.
We would also like to thank Platform Designs (poster design) and Smyth & Co barristers and solicitors who were supporting the event.

Community Notices

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

Beckenham Community Christmas Celebration.



Thursday 10th December 2020 5.00-7.00pm
In the grounds of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Free Family Event. BBQ and/or bring a picnic.
Market stalls, Bouncy Castle, Mystery Bottle, Games, Bicycle Smoothie Maker, Christmas carols and other favourites.
Organised by Beckenham locals for the Beckenham community, supported by the Beckenham Neighbourhood Association and Cashmere New Life Church.
Koha towards getting a community accessible AED (defibrillator).
Bottles for the Mystery Bottle (all funds towards the community accessible AED) can be dropped at the school office.

Motivationz Cricket

Motivationz Cricket is running a pre-Christmas holiday programme at St Andrew’s College for boys and girls. Run by Mark Lane, former NZ Cricket General Manager of Cricket Development.
6-7-year olds 17th, 18th and 21st Dec 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This is an entry level programme where we teach the children the basic principles of how to catch, throw and strike a ball. This will be done through fun games and activities.
8-10-year olds 17th, 188h and 21st 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This programme is designed to give the children the basic techniques around batting, bowling and fielding. The technique work will be supported with plenty of drills and modified games to reinforce the learnings.
11-13-year olds 21st and 22th 12.30-4.30pm cost $130
This programme will be developed to cater for the individual needs of the child. There will be some general testing before more specific coaching will take place.
If you would like to book email anthony@motivationz.co.nz your child’s full name, DOB and contact phone number.

The Voice of Christmas: WIN A SMART BEDROOM!!

This Christmas morning on Newstalk ZB - it's "The Voice of Christmas" singing competition... on the 'Crazy Kiwi Christmas Kids Show'... If you can sing, and you’re under 13, call 0800 THE VOICE (that’s 0800 843 864) and sing a Christmas carol or Christmas song as your audition. The grand prize? The ultimate smart bedroom bundle complete with an Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker and Alexa-enabled smart coloured light bulbs! Then tune in on Christmas morning to Newstalk ZB from 6am, to see if you've won!


Christchurch Boys Choir  - Auditions