Our staff are all looking forward to welcoming everyone back to school tomorrow.
We understand that there has continued to be quite a high level of illness across the community during the holidays, particularly heavy colds and respiratory infections, and viruses. Please do keep sick children at home for their own well-being and the well-being of others.
Tomorrow (Monday) 9:15am - new building opening
We are very excited to be opening our new double learning block 'Hangere' tomorrow morning at 9:15am. If you are able to stay and join us, please feel welcome to do that. Children need to be at school before the bell at 8:55am so that they can be in their hub when the roll is taken. Teachers will bring children over to the courts in front of the new building at 9:10am, ready for the opening at 9:15am.
Year 7/8 Choir will happen as usual at 8:15am in the Kauri theatre tomorrow.
Year 6 whānau evening - Introduction to the Kauri Hub
The Board has approved an additional Staff Only day during Term 4 which will happen on Tuesday, 26th October. This is the day after Labour weekend, giving you the opportunity to make a four-day weekend for your family if your work commitments allow.
This day will count as one of the eight days, over three years (2020 - 2022) that were allocated to schools to use through the Collective Agreement negotiations between the teachers' union and the Ministry of Education last year. Last year we only used one collective agreemet day, this year we will have used four days, leaving us three days to use in 2022.
BOSCO have advised us that they will be OPEN on this date, and they will provide more details soon for whānau who want to take advantage of their services.
Karakia Kai from our Hāngī
What a great evening everyone had at the Whānau Hui and Hāngī on Wednesday evening. Thank you to all who were able to attend and participate.
As part of the hāngī, we learned the karakia kai 'E Rongo E Rongo'. Some families have asked for the link and the words... they are here if you would like to listen and learn this with your whānau.
E Rongo, e Rongo (Rongo - guardian of cultivated foods)
Homai ngā tipu (Provide us with your fruits)
Hei whakakī te tīnana (To sustain our bodies & provide)
Hei oranga (wellbeing)
Au eke au eke
Hui e, taiki e (Unified, connected and blessed)
We are looking forward to holding more hāngī in the future, and to being able to cater for more participants.
Teaching our young people to be respectful
As part of our daily learning activities, both explicitly and informally, we focus on the ways that we can show respect to one another, both at school and in the wider world we live in. The recent news around the issues being faced by teenagers at Christchurch Girls High School regarding sexual harassment has highlighted again the importance of teaching our young people to ask for help if they are experiencing any kind of targetted behaviour that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable. It is important that our young people do not accept this kind of behaviour as 'normal'.
At a day-to-day level at school, we have been talking more about the negative impact on others of swearing.
Swearing at people and using a raised, aggressive voice, is a form of put-down and intimidation. We are calling out this behaviour and appreciate you talking about this at home with your children.
New Building Opening
We are expecting to have the handover of our new building in the next week. This means that it will be available for our children to use from the beginning of next Term.
We will be holding the official opening of the new 'Hangere' building at 9:10am on Monday 26th July, the first day of Term 3. Please ensure that your children are at school before the 8:55am bell, and that they go to their hubs first so that they can be marked present on the roll. Teachers will bring everyone over to the new building as soon as their rolls are done. All whānau are most welcome to join us for this special celebration!
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Week 10: Thu 8 Jul - South Zone Winter Sport Fri 9 Jul - Celebration Assembly & Band Concert (11:50am -12:40pm) Fri 9 Jul - Last Day of Term
School Holidays
Term 3, Week 1:
Mon 26 Jul - First day back at School Mon 26 Jul - New Building Opening (9:10am) Wed 28 Jul - PTA Meeting (7.30-9.30pm) Thu 29 Jul - South Zone Winter Sport (12.00 - 3.00pm) Fri 30 Jul - Welcome Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am)
Josh, your kind, caring and thoughtful nature shines in all that you do. You have a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards all areas of learning and you are a fantastic role model to other students. You are self-motivated and you constantly strive to be the best you can be. Kia ora mo tō mahi!
School Notices
Sushi Meets Dumplings - Lunch orders
Next term, we will be trialling a new lunch provider on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (the days Lunchonline doesn't deliver). It is "Sushi Meets Dumplings" which is based at Beckenham Central shops. The cut-off for placing orders will be 9:00am on the day. More info to come!
HERO - School Accounts & Donations
Thank you to all of you who have logged onto our new app "HERO" and have paid, or part-paid your accounts and donations. We really do appreciate every bit that you are able to contribute towards enriching the experiences that we are able to offer the children.
(Click here if you haven’t yet set up HERO on your phone, and download the app)
To see your current statement, log onto HERO and click on Finance
We had a fantastic turn out for our first Whānau Rōpū Hui this year. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated Matariki with us. It was great to see tamariki of all ages, whānau, and friends socialising and having fun together. We enjoyed making harakeke weaving and Matariki stars, learning about māhinga kai and the Matariki macarena, and practising poi skills and chalk drawing. We hope to see you at our next Whānau Rōpū Hui, later this year!
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.
Headlice
We have had head lice reported in Koru, Kahikatea, and Kōwhai hubs. Please take a moment to check your child's head for eggs and lice, and treat accordingly. If you find any evidence of head lice please treat your child before sending them to school, to prevent spread - and make it more comfortable for them!
Gastro bug in Christchurch
Community and Public Health have noted an increase in the number of gastrointestinal illness cases reported in schools and Early Childhood Education centres.
There is currently an increased possibility of children and teachers developing symptoms. Children and teachers who develop vomiting and/or diarrhoea should not attend school and can return once they have been symptom free for 48 hours.
Dental Care during the School Holidays
The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays. The clinics will offer check-ups, treatment and relief of pain sessions by appointment only. To make an appointment please call/email our Contact Centre which operates between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the holidays.
The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:
The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.45pm for school-age and preschool children. If your child has dental pain because of an accident, please contact your dentist in the first instance.
To book an appointment at one of our clinics please call, 0800 846 983, or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Maka Ake
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.
Staff Profiles
Sports News
Cross Country Challenge at Hillview Christian School
Our top cross country runners from the junior school competed in an interschool cross country challenge at Hillview Christian School on Thursday this week. The team was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as we set off. Everyone lived our school values, taking on the challenge and running as hard and as fast as their legs could carry them, and caring for and supporting each other. Thanks to the awesome team of parent helpers, as well as Otis and Layla, our Year 8 students, who did an amazing job of helping and caring for our team throughout the event.
A special congratulations to the following children on their results:
Maximus Olykan (Year 2 boys) - 2nd
Ben Stoney (Year 3 boys) - 5th
Laura Stoney (Year 3 girls) - 1st
Bianca Ashworth (Year 4 girls) - 4th
KidsCan Funrun
Wow! What an amazing effort by around 100 of our children, from our newest of new entrants through to our Year 8s, today at the student organised FunRun for KidsCan.
Thank you to the Year 8 students who came up with this amazing idea to support KidsCan, and to everyone who got behind the idea and supported them by either running or sponsoring.
Please help your child get their sponsorship money into school this week, either by bringing it to the office or by paying it into the school bank account with both your child's name and 'FunRun' as reference.
Bank account number: 12-3148-0131641-00
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Whānau/Family support
Qtopia offers support and education for whānau with LGBTQIA+ children and young people under 16 years of age. This group is peer support based and gives parents a chance to talk through everything that is happening for their young person and whānau. Click here to find out more about what support is available for you, and your young people.
Imagination Station will be running heaps of epic LEGO classes at Tūranga this July holidays, AND visiting Upper Riccarton, Fendalton and Aranui Libraries with heaps of LEGO classes! We’ll be running basic LEGO Technic Starter classes, remote controlled race cars, an introduction to robotics with LEGO WeDo2.0, an exciting battlebots class with our new LEGO SPIKE Prime robotics and our famous LEGO movie making workshops. If you’re interested, find more info and reserve your space at imagination-station.org.nz or give us a call on 027 438 2106.
Studio One Performing Arts, your local dance school, is currently giving Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Acro lessons in your area. The school’s director is teacher, choreographer & ex-ballet dancer Patricia Paul A.R.A.D. (London). Ballet lessons from 3 years through to Advanced, and all levels in Jazz and Contemporary starting from age 7. For all enquiries please phone 372-9191 or email info@studioone.co.nz
Now open Monday to Friday 8.30 PM - 2:30 PM for children aged 2 to 5 years.
An inspiring, unique, caring, unrushed community-based preschool.
High adult to child ratios. Fully qualified, experienced teachers. Individual learning programmes. Exciting natural outdoor garden.
Visitors are always welcome.
Art Classes for Children
Is your child passionate about art? Would they like to extend their creativity through learning a range of new art skills and techniques? Maybe Kat's holiday painting workshops or after-school art classes are just what you've been looking for. Kat's Art Studio is located at 171 Waltham Rd. Art tutor Katrina is a professional artist and tutor who has over 10yrs experience teaching children art. For more details, please visit www.katsartstudio.co.nz
Family Fest Christchurch - 23-25 July 2021
Event Hire is very proud to be hosting Family Fest Christchurch again this year, however we have decided to go bigger and better this year since we SOLD OUT last year! We are holding the event at Pioneer Recreation Centre this year, allowing us a bit more space than last year. There will be two, three hour sessions each day. 9am-12pm and then 1pm-4pm for each of the three days.
The recent rain that caused so much flooding and damage to Mid and North Canterbury areas also had the potential to cause flooding in our Beckenham part of the world too. However, it would seem that the work that has been done over the past few years on improving the river has paid dividends. It was quite extraordinary to experience that much rainfall, and to see the Ōpāwaho stay largely within its banks around the loop. We at school were very grateful for that, as no doubt many local homeowners were too.
Some of our Year 5/6 students put together a 'thank you' video which has been sent to the Council...
Celebrating PRIDE week
This week has been PRIDE week in New Zealand Schools. It has been interesting seeing the growing interest in this conversation at a primary school level across New Zealand. I believe that this demonstrates our growing understanding of the critical importance of being inclusive and valuing diversity, rather than merely tolerating it, or worse, fearing or condemning it.
Celebrating Pride in Every School
Whakanuia te uenuku ki ia kura
Supporting rainbow young people and their whānau to have a sense of belonging in their schools and communities.
Thanks to Anne Chin and the Diversity group for the fabulous displays in the library to support Pride week.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Week 8: Tue 22 Jun - Structured Literacy Parent Seminar (7-8pm) Wed 23 Jun - Canterbury Cross Country (Halswell Quarry 9am-2pm) Wed 23 Jun - PTA Meeting (7.30 - 9.30pm) Thu 24 Jun - South Zone Winter Sport Thu 24 Jun - Structured Literacy - Parent Seminar (9-10am) Thu 24 Jun - Board of Trustee's meeting (5.30 - 7.30pm) Fri 25 Jun - Celebration Assembly (12.00-12.30pm) Fri 25 Jun - PTA Sausage Sizzle (1:20pm)
Week 9: Mon 28 Jun - Winter Tournament (Hagley Park North) Tue 29 Jun - Year 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Hillview Christian School, 12-3pm) Wed 30 Jun - Whānau Rōpū Hui and Hangi (5-7pm) Thu 1 Jul - Postponement date for 0-4 Cross Country Challenge Thu 1 Jul - South Zone Winter Sport
Week 10: Thu 8 Jul - South Zone Winter Sport Fri 9 Jul - Celebration Assembly & Band Concert (11:50am -12:40pm) Fri 9 Jul - Last Day of Term Fri 9 Jul - Celebration Assembly & Band Concert (11:50am -12:40pm) Fri 9 Jul - Last Day of Term
Charlie, it is always heartening to see that you show the "We care' and "We get there together' values by giving help to others, often without being asked. You are always in the right place at the right time and are a role model in this area. The effort you put into your learning shows a great desire to always be and do the best you can. Kia ora mo to mahi!
School Notices
Teachers Paid Union Meetings - Next Thursday 24th June
Next Thursday all of our teachers who are union members (almost 100%) will be attending one of two paid union meetings that are being held (conveniently for us) in our school hall. The first meeting is at 10am and the second will be at 2pm. This means that we have booked a number of relievers for that day to release the teachers for one of the two meetings.
As the meetings will also be attracting many teachers from other schools in the area, car-parking in the afternoon is likely to be very hard to find.
Structured Literacy Parent evening
We are very pleased to have Caroline Morritt, our Resource Teacher of Literacy working in our school over the next two weeks. Caroline is going to run parent sessions around Structured Literacy over this time.
The access to period products initiative aims to provide free period products to children and young people in all state schools and kura across New Zealand during 2021.
Access to period products is a necessity, not a luxury. The need to access period products exists for every young person who experiences menstruation including young women, girls, transgender, and gender diverse youth, in ways that meet diverse needs and cultural perspectives.
If you have a young person who is in Year 5/6 or Year 7/8 who experiences menstruation, we would appreciate you getting together with them and taking the time to complete this form. More information to come.
Whānau Rōpū Hui and Hangi
We would like to welcome you to our first Whānau Rōpū hui of 2021. The hui will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 30th June, in the Kōwhai Hub.
Nau mai haere mai! Come along, get to know other tamariki and whānau, enjoy some kai, and get involved in this important aspect of our kura. Come to the staff room first and get a cup of tea to bring over to the Kōwhai hub if you would like. The hui will coincide with Matariki, a time of renewal and celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are going to come together to connect, celebrate and learn. All welcome, for more information please click here.
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.
Guinea Pigs in the Library
Our furry friends were being well looked after in the library, by our kind and caring students. They were well educated on all things Minecraft - and provided with a little kai (food) too.
Literacy Learning and Dyslexia
“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Ashraf Samsudin, spoke at the Sounds-Write Symposium in June 2021, delivering a webinar called
‘Dyslexia, Working Memory and Literacy’. He discussed what dyslexia is, working memory and dyslexia, and simple strategies for effective literacy learning.
Ashraf stressed that in order for a person with dyslexia to learn literacy effectively, there are certain criteria that need to be met in their reading and writing instruction. These include:
-explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness
-phonics instruction that is systematic and sequential
-oral reading that is supported with specific, consistent error correction and feedback to aid fluency
-repetition/ repeated exposure
-explicit instruction in vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling and writing
These areas are illustrated in Scarborough’s Rope (pictured on our science of reading page).
Structured literacy is a term to describe evidence-based approaches to reading and writing instruction. Our structured literacy programme at Beckenham Te Kura ō Puroto, addresses the areas mentioned above, and is crucial for learners with dyslexia. This programme is also beneficial for all other literacy learners, as you can see on The Ladder of Reading infographic. Following a specific scope and sequence helps to ensure our tamariki don’t have gaps in their reading and spelling knowledge, and helps us create a solid foundation to continue to build upon.
We have had an exciting and busy structured literacy journey so far and are continuing to develop our skills and knowledge!
Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe, we are all rowing this waka together.
Speaking 4 the Planet...
... is an art based competition for students to address sustainability issues creatively.
The live event was held last Friday at Tūranga. The theme of Ecosystem Restoration was explored through prepared speeches. Zoe placed second and Cleo was highly commended in the Year 7/8 category.
Otis placed second overall for his visual art submission in the Year 7/8 category.
The consideration and application of the theme was acknowledged in the success of these students.
Congratulations!
Staff Profiles
Congratulations to...
...the students from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto and their families who came out to Ilam to warm our hearts with their music on the 12th of June.
Samson N, Bonnie H and Lillie N played confidently on a big black grand piano. Tahere T played the guitar and sang.
Thank you to all the families for joining us and supporting the Modern school of Music concert.
Regards Margot
PTA News
Mid Winter Breakfast
Thank you to the parents, teachers and the student council who helped out with the Mid Winter Breakfast this morning.
It was wonderful to see our Tamariki in their snuggly PJ's while enjoying a yummy warm bowl of porridge.
We collected a huge amount of cans which have been donated to the Christchurch City Mission.
Midwinter Breakfast!
Sausage Sizzle
The PTA will be holding a sausage sizzle at lunchtime on Friday the 25th of June.
Sausages will be $2 – children who want a delicious hot sausage in bread for lunch can order and pay at the flagpole in the morning before school on that Friday.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Camp Wondergirl is an organisation that inspires, empowers and educates girls ages 8-12 to explore mindfulness, embrace uniqueness, and express their superpowers. Our mission is to make sure every girl knows she is a Wondergirl - powerful, loving, and unique. We offer the tools, support, and community girls need to grow their superpowers so they can flourish into the Wonder Women they are destined to be!
Our signature 5 Day Leadership Programme, Project Wondergirl, runs every School Holidays in Christchurch and the next one is on 19-23 July. Project Wondergirl is a one-of-a-kind, transformative experience for girls to rise up as a leader by expressing themselves fully to make a difference. The girls discover their unique Superpowers and work as a Superhero Squad to create a Video Project that will empower girls all over the world. Activities include Yoga, Meditation & Breathing, Friendship Games, Creative Art Projects, Wondergirl Costume Making and so much more.
A new, web-based school / home communication system with an app for your convenience.
Kia ora whānau
We have been setting up a new computer system at school called "Hero".
This new system is designed to hold all of our student information and to be a communication system between school and families. Ultimately, it will be a one-stop place for most of our communication.
During Term 1, we have initially been using it for taking attendance and collecting other in-school data whilst we develop our understanding of how other aspects of it work.
Today were are able to share this new system with you.
It has taken us a lot longer than expected to get it up and running in other areas, including our accounts, which is why you haven't yet had any personalised request for school donations or camp costs yet this year.
So to begin with, we would like you to log in to HERO, and access your student accounts.
Yes - we are open this morning. Apart from the playground and the crossing on Sandwich Road being underwater, learning spaces are dry and cosy.
Gumboots are a must today, along with extra socks and other extra clothes for those who are likely to get wet in spite of requests to stay out of puddles!
It's likely to be an inside day all day - so children may bring a quiet activity from home to help pass the time during morning tea and lunch breaks.
If you decide to keep children at home today, please email office@beckenham.school.nz or send a detailed text to 021 027 94107
If you are driving to school - please be patient and take extra care on Sandwich Road. Please do not get out of cars in the 3min drop off area. We need this area to keep moving to help everyone.
