Author Archives: Sandy Hastings, Principal, Beckenham School

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Monday 31 August 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Whānau Hui this Wednesday - postponed again!

Unfortunately, due to us still being at Alert Level 2, we have had to again postpone the Whānau Hui that was planned for this Wednesday evening. We will advise of a new date once we have further clarity around the changing alert levels.

Face Masks and School

You will be aware that face coverings are now on public transport at Alert Level 2. This does not apply to any child who is under 12 years of age and does not apply to school bus transport.

Public Health officials have advised that children under the age of 6 should not wear face coverings. Children and young people do not need to wear face coverings at school. Other public health control measures are in place including children and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and hygiene requirements. If you want your child to wear a mask, that is fine too and we will support that.

Face coverings are another way we can help keep ourselves and others safe, along with our ongoing school procedures of good hand hygiene (hand washing or sanitiser), cough and sneeze etiquette, appropriate physical distancing, and staying home if we are sick.

We’re continuing contact tracing by having QR code posters at our entrances, so please check in every time you come onsite. If you haven’t already downloaded the NZ COVID Tracer app the Ministry of Health’s website has information to help you do that. We also have a requirement for adults coming on site to sign in on our school app in the office or paper contact tracing sheets at Alert Level 2. 

Thank you for your assistance with this. This will help us with contact tracing in the unlikely case it is needed.

If you have any questions about face coverings or anything else, please get in touch.

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Mathematics in Action...

This is a great example of an OPEN-ENDED mathematics task being undertaken in the Kōwhai Team recently:

Arrays

What do we know about arrays?
  • Are there any arrays in our school community that we can find and share?
  • Take photos of at least 5 arrays
  • Write the two matching number equations that go with this
  • Be ready to present one of your findings to the class
  • Defend how you know it is an array
  • EXTRA THOUGHT: Are there different arrays for the same number?
  • EXTRA THOUGHT: Is it easier to find the total using repeated addition or arrays?
Arrays in the school environment

Important Dates

Wed 2 Sep - Whānau Rōpū Hui  5:30 - 7pm POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Fri 4 Sep - Wacky Wig and Hair Day - gold coin donation please
Thu 10 Sep - BOT Meeting - Staffroom 5:30pm, All welcome

Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Matilda Barr - Year 4

Matilda, you are a pleasure to have in the Kōwhai hub. You are a motivated learner and always try your best at everything that you do. Your calm and quiet confidence makes you a fantastic role model to your peers. You consistently demonstrate our school values, showing a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. Tino pai! 

PTA News



A very very BIG thank you from your PTA for all of your INCREDIBLE SUPPORT of our children as they took part in this years Read-a-thon. We were all blown away by the enthusiasm from all the children and families and just how much money was raised.
Soooooooo… Hats off to EACH and EVERY one of you. To date an incredible

$7079.50

was raised which we will be able to pass onto Sandy and her team!!!
It is not to late to still bring in any final money - please hand it into Jacky in the office.


Readathon joy!

BOT Update

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee

A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If ten per cent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
Beckenham
Christchurch 8023

or email: office@beckenham.school.nz

Community Notices

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

Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 

Are you interested in taking part in the Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival taking part on the weekend of 12/13 of September ? The competition is open to all school children. You can compete individually or in pairs or teams. Courses to suit all range of abilities. Beginners welcome.  Contact Sarah Wright on tandswright@xtra.co.nz for more information.
More details on the competition can be found on the website http://papo.org.nz/

QE11 Swim Club

Are you a swimmer? Do you want to take your swimming to the next level and take part in competitions? Do you want to join an awesome Club and learn from a team of outstanding coaches?
QEII Swim Club is based at the Taiora QEII Aquatic Centre and we are taking registrations for our swim squads for term 4. If you can swim 50m confidently (any stroke) our coaching team would love to help you become a stronger more confident swimmer.
If you are interested in enrolling in the programme please phone  Jeanette at 022 476 7626 or email qeiiswimclub@gmail.com  to arrange a trial. 












Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 14 August 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

What a fabulous end to our Readathon and Book Week we are having today with Book Character Day! It is so lovely to see the children and staff getting into the fun of the day. I haven't managed to capture photos today other than this one... I know teachers will be putting some into their next blogs!


Today marked the end of the Readathon. The PTA will be at the flagpole every morning next week, collecting the readathon cards and money, and giving out bookmarks. Please remember to return the cards and money raised as soon as you can.

COVID Announcement at 5:30pm today

We are all waiting for the announcement by the Prime Minister today at 5:30pm for a clearer picture of what next week might look for us. In the event that we move to Level 3, we would ask that you keep a close eye on your emails and our Facebook page for further information about our plan.

IF we move to Level 3, we will be communicating with you this evening about:
  • making our Learning @ Home site available again for home learning
  • arranging for students to borrow Chromebooks again, if needed
  • setting up '@School Bubbles' for children of essential workers
In preparation, we have asked teachers to ensure that children who already have BYOD or assistive technology devices bring these home today, along with chargers. All children are being asked to bring home at least one exercise book, and writing tools/pencil case, and library books.

Whilst we all hope that this isn't what next week will look like, we have done this before and our systems and procedures are ready to meet this possibility.

Community Conversation options next week

Whilst we plan for the worst, we hope for the best... Next week we have three opportunities for you to come along to school and be part of a conversation around our future focus.

Tuesday 18th August    5:30pm - 7:00pm       Whānau Rōpū Hui - children welcome

Tuesday 18th August    7:15pm - 8:30pm        Community Forum

Friday 21st August        9:00am - 10:15am    Community Forum

We hope that each family is able to be represented at one of these events.

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 18 Aug - Whānau Rōpū Hui 5:30pm - 7:00 pm - Staffroom
Tue 18 Aug - Community Forum - 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Fri 21 Aug - Community Forum - 9:00am - 10:15am; Staffroom
Sat 22 Aug - Quiz Night - Hall
Wed 26 Aug - PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - All welcome.
Fri 28 Aug - Kauri Ski Trip

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Iris Beumelberg - Year 6

Iris, you are such a valued member of our Pōhutukawa Team.  You are a quiet achiever who works hard, leads by example and supports others to succeed in their learning.  You choose kindness every time, and are thoughtful and respectful.  Thank you for being yourself and living our school values every day.

School Notices

Board of Trustees - Notice of Casual Vacancy

The Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Carmel Wade as a Parent Trustee. The Board wishes to publicly thank Carmel for her support of our school and Board and wish her and her family all the very best with their permanent relocation to Auckland.

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee
A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If ten percent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
BeckenhamChristchurch 8023

or email: office@beckenham.school.nz by 12noon, 17 September 2020.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Thomas Lyall who has been awarded a leadership scholarship for Cashmere High School.  These scholarships are highly sought after and this is a significant acknowledgement of the leadership Thomas has given to our school, and the recognition of his potential. Well done Thomas!


Otis Yeoman has had the honour of his artwork being published in Toitoi, a journal which features articles and artwork from young writers and artists. 
Toitoi celebrates the ideas, imaginations and creative spirit of our young writers and artist and reflects the cultures and experiences of life in New Zealand.
Congratulations Otis! (Story and illustration below)

Caught a Baby Pig!

Dad and his friend went for hunt out the back of our farm and chased a pig for a bit.  After catching it, they made their way back from the bush to the truck and saw another mob of pigs.  The pigs ran away but one baby pig was too slow.  Dad couldn't catch it so one of our dogs, Mungo, grabbed it.  She was about to rip the bay pig into little bits when Dad took it from her.
Dad took the baby pig home and we fed her some milk from a little lamb bottle.  We kept her in a bucket with blankies and I go up at one o'clock in the morning to feed her.   I did that for several days.  Once we knew she was going to survive, I named her Bacon.

Words by Ryan Campbell, age 12
Pictures by Otis Yeoman, age 11, Beckenham

 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.

Student Council News

Wacky Wig and Hair Day - Friday 4th September

Raising funds for the Child Cancer Foundation. 
Glam up your hair and bring a gold coin to donate to the Child Cancer Foundation.


Sports News

Last week Jenny and Sandy received the following email from the Head of Sport at Hillview Christian School, which we felt was most worthy of sharing. Congratulations to all of our great sportspeople who model our school values in their games.

Hi Jenny and Sandy
I just had to write a note to compliment your wonderful tamariki from Beckenham at sport yesterday at Beckenham Park. In the game that I was part of the Beckenham Year 7/8 B Hockey team were outstanding in their behaviour and we were blown away at the end of the game when they came over and talked to us and suggested a Player of the Day from our team. I also had a report that the Year 5/6A Beckenham Hockey team were outstanding in their Fair Play and encouragement. Please pass on our thanks to those teams. We really appreciate the opportunity to play sport locally and Jenny and the Beckenham team do a great job in setting up the fields and making us feel welcome.
Thanks
Paul

Community Notices

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


Subsidies for neighbourhood events held between 23 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.
'Summer with your neighbours' is about bringing people together. It's an opportunity to organise a small get-together or local gathering to get to know your neighbours.
The Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board is making small subsidies available towards neighbourhood gatherings in its Board area.
Apply online at: ccc.govt.nz/GetTogether
Or request a hard-copy application form by phoning CCC Call Centre 941 8999.
Applications for subsidies close on 6th September 2020


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 14 August 5-6pm (Colour)
Friday 11 September 5-6pm (Bees)
Friday 9 October 5-6pm (Life in the past)
Age: This is aimed at 5-12 year olds and their family members of any age.
Cost: Free, no bookings required





COVID-19 Alert Level 2 update Tuesday 11 August 2020

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Kia ora e te whānau


Following the Prime Minister's announcement late this evening about the confirmed cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in NZ, we are required to move to Alert Level 2 tomorrow (Wednesday 12th August) and remain at that alert level for the rest of this week.

I have spoken with Ester, our Board Chair this evening and we have synthesised the available information from the various communications from Health, Education and the Prime Minister's messaging.

What this will mean for you and your children tomorrow, and for the rest of this week is:

  • School is open and functioning (pretty much) as normal!
  • The MOE website (updated tonight) states: 
    • It is safe for all children and students to be onsite (some children vulnerable to illness may choose to remain at home).
    • Anyone self-isolating, waiting for a test result or who is ill, must remain at home.
  • Our handwashing, sanitising and surface cleaning routines will be stepped back up to the gold standard again immediately
  • Unless it is an emergency, we are asking everyone who are not staff, itinerant teachers or students to stay off site - this means a return to dropping off and picking up at the gate. We will have teachers at the gates to support children to transition into school.
  • If you do have to come on site for any reason, please visit the office FIRST and sign in using either our digital sign-in register or the paper register. Please ALSO use the national COVID Tracer App to register by scanning a QR code on one of our entry doors.
  • If your child is unwell, please keep them at home.
  • Assembly will be cancelled, however BOOK CHARACTER DAY on Friday will still go ahead.
  • If you have a meeting booked with a member of staff, they will be in contact with you to either reschedule this, or book it via a ZOOM.
  • As we did at Alert Level 2 last time, the CSM Outreach music lessons and band programme will continue at school, with distancing as required.
As always, please keep sick children at home, AND remember to let the office know you are doing this. (We purchased a new cellphone this week for our text messaging so the issues that we have had around receiving text messages from parents last week should now be resolved.)
The school cellphone number is 021 027 94107 or you can email office@beckenham.school.nz

At this stage, there has been no public health message suggesting that we should adopt the wearing of masks. We are aware that New Zealanders have been asked to prepare for this possibility over the past week. We are expecting that this may become a public health recommendation going forward and encourage you to prepare your family for this possibility. 

If you have any questions or worries, please contact us by phone or email and we will respond as quickly as we can.

We've got this!

Sandy and the team


Mini-Newsletter, Friday 17th July 2020

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Reminder: Term 3 starts on Tuesday 21st July.

Monday is a Staff Only Day and school will be closed.

Road Works on Eastern Terrace

We have been advised that the section of Eastern Terrace between Fisher Ave and Sandwich Road (where the ponds are) will be closed off for wastewater work being undertaken by Citycare. There will still be pedestrian access along this section, and through the parks.
Please allow the extra time needed if you are planning to drive to school, and be aware that you won't be able to park on this section of road. If you are able to walk or bike to school with your children, this would be a great option.

Year 6 Caregivers & Whānau meeting, Thursday 23 July

This is an important opportunity for all caregivers of our Year 6 students. Come along and find out how our Year 7/8 team cater for the learning needs of intermediate aged students.


Year 8 Whānau meeting with Joe Eccleton, Cashmere High School, in the Staffroom, Monday 27th July 6pm

Come along and meet Joe Eccleton, Principal of Cashmere High, who will be speaking about what Cashmere High can offer your Year 8 students, as they transition to high school in 2021.

Basketball 3 on 3 champions 

(final week of Term 2)
The ‘Beckenham Warriors’ came away with a hard-fought win in the final of the Year 5/6, A Grade Competition on Wednesday night at Pioneer Stadium. The team had gone right through the whole competition with only one loss. Luckily, in the final, we were back up against the same team that had previously beaten us… but this time we put it right! A huge thanks to Jamie for all your time spent coaching and for your expertise on the sideline. (Quinn, Robbie, Bella, Lola)


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 26 June 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Learning Conferences - this coming Tuesday and Thursday

This coming week, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, we will be having mid-year Learning Conferences.
This meeting is designed to be a three-way conversation between you, your child and their home group teacher about their learning and wellbeing.
At the conference, you will receive a Learning Snapshot in place of a mid-year report, which will be a brief, written synthesis of some of the discussion you will have had about your child's learning.

NOTE that school finishes at 2pm on each of these days. If your child is booked into BOSCO for either of these days, they will be able to go to BOSCO from 2pm.
If you need your child to be supervised on either day, please contact Jacky in the office so we know to expect them, AND ask your child to go to the hall foyer at 2pm on those days to sign in to the supervision programme until 3pm. Children at BOSCO and in supervision will not be playing outside between 2 and 3pm.

If you haven't yet done this, please book a learning conference time for each child you have at school.
The learning conference bookings are for 15 minutes each (NOTE that in Year 7/8, even though you will be booking for 15mins, the conference will take 30 mins as your child has a bigger role in the discussion at the intermediate year level.) If you have more than one child to book for, please do not book back to back time slots, as you will lose some of your time in moving from one conference to the other.

The conferences can be booked by going to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and entering the code yseec

Thank you, PTA!

A huge "Thank You!" to our PTA for the energy and commitment they put into ensuring that our School Disco happened this year. Thank you also to the staff and `whānau who came along to support with supervision and ensured that the children were safe and having a great time.


Staffing Update

At the start of next term, we will welcome another new teacher to our Koru Team (NE/Y1). Sari Farrant will join Jo, Elizabeth, Stacey and Sophie until the end of the year, to be the point of contact teacher for our fourth New Entrant home group.

Sari Farrant - new NE teacher

New Entrant Enrolments for 2020 and 2021

If you have a 3 or 4 year old at home whom you are intending to enrol at Beckenham, we would really appreciate if you do that this coming week. Whilst their 5th birthday might seem like a long way away, we are required to 'predict' our 2021 roll at the end of this week in our formal 'roll return' to the Ministry of Education, and this prediction will be more accurate with actual enrolments on our system.
If you have friends or neighbours with 3 or 4 year olds and you know they are planning to enrol at Beckenham, please let them know that we would like to hear from them sooner, rather than later! Many thanks.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Monday 29 June - Zones Cross Country event at Halswell Quarry.  9am - 12:45pm
Tuesday 30 June - Learning Conferences - School closes 2pm
Thursday 2 July - Learning Conferences - School closes 2pm
Friday 3 July - Final day of Term 2.  School closes at 3pm

Term 3 begins TUESDAY 21 July. (Staff only day on Monday 20 July)

Monday 27 July - Year 8 whānau meeting about Cashmere High (see below)

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Hatsumi Yuge - Year 4

Hatsumi, You are a role model in our hub who naturally demonstrates our school values and you are always willing to lend a hand or help others.  You display a positive attitude to all aspects of learning. You show initiative and drive to do the right thing and help make the Kōwhai Hub a happy place to work. Your bright smile and warm friendliness everyday is appreciated by everyone around you. We love having you in our team!   

School Notices

Lost property from the mid winter breakfast

Please come to the office to claim these items.

Year 8 whānau meeting - learning about Cashmere High...

Joe Eccleton, Principal of Cashmere High, will be coming to speak to interested whānau about Cashmere High on Monday 27 July from 6pm - 7pm at Beckenham. Diary the date - more information to come.

Term Dates for 2021

At our Board of Trustees meeting this week, we finalised the Term dates for 2021. Click here to see these on our website.

Sports News

It is great to have sports news to share after the long period of no sporting activities.

This week we had a number of teams participate in a zone basketball competition at Hillview Christian School.
Congratulations to our senior girls who won their competition!


Zones Cross Country

These kids were superb representing BeckenhamTe Kura o Pūroto at the Zones Cross Country.  Some toe to toe action!




Congratulations to Jonty Mitchell, who placed 4th in the zones cross country, earning him a place at Canterburys next term.


PTA News

Again - a huge thanks to our PTA for the mid-winter breakfast and the school DISCO - both held in the last two weeks. We really appreciate everything you do for our children and community.

Community Notices

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


The Big Planting Day!

An opportunity for families to get to know your local reserve, plant some plants and meet some of the regular Friends of Farnley volunteers.
19 July (last Sunday of school holidays)
9am -12pm 
Meet at Farnley Reserve
Bring your own shovel and gloves if you have one (make sure they are named).  Wear warm clothes, sturdy footwear and bring your own morning tea.
This is a community planting day.  Parents need to also attend and supervise their own young people.



Free Martial Arts for Taekwon-Do School Holiday Programme

Monday 13th July 2020 to Friday 17th July 2020
Visit  http://www.riccarton.itkd.co.nz/   for more information