A very warm welcome to all the new children and their whānau who have recently joined the koru team. We love seeing how our 'golden oldies' are welcoming the newbies into the hub and into their play!
We had such a fun time at the disco last Friday. It was lovely to see children dressed up and having a boogie on the dance floor. Giving the limbo a go was a very popular addition to the disco! Thanks to our wonderful PTA for all the organising that went into the fun event!
Science Topic
For the second part of this term we are learning about different living organisms and what they need to grow. We had a robust conversation last week about how we defined a living thing. We found out that not all living things have eyes and mouths. Last week we planted a bean seed each and are now waiting for it to pop through the soil. We will be tracking its growth over the next few weeks. We also planted a bean seed to keep out of sunlight (in a cupboard) and one that we are not going to water. Do you think they will grow? As part of this topic we will be having a couple of lessons with the Life Education Educator and we'll get to meet Harold the Giraffe, how exciting!
Beckenham's Got Talent
Does your child love to sing, dance, play music or like to entertain in any way? If so, then Beckenham's Got Talent is for them! This is a school wide show where children will audition in their hubs and, if selected, perform in front of the school on the last day of term. If your child is interested in giving this a go then get practising at home and let your child's homegroup teacher know they are keen.
Up coming dates:
4th September school will be closed due to a Staff Only Day
Life Education Van (Harold the Giraffe) will be at school in weeks 8 and 9
The term is well underway now! The Koru children, new and old, are doing a wonderful job engaging in their learning and showing our school values throughout the day, in a variety of different contexts.
Cricket
For the last three weeks, Nicola and Kendall's Home Groups have had Dan from Canterbury Cricket come to school to teach us some cricket skills. We have had a great time having a go at batting, bowling and fielding. This week we put all our skills together to play a game of cricket!
Beckenham PTA Disco
How wonderful to have the disco to look forward to on Friday, the 21st of August! We are very excited and can’t wait to see the children all having a boogie.
Disco Times: Koru and Kahikatea: 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Please feel free to send your child to school wearing their disco outfit at the start of the day. If you feel that their outfit may get damaged, please send it along in a named bag. The teachers will help your child to change into their dancing clothes after Big Play.
Teachers will collect gold coin donations at the start of the day. Please note that no food will be sold at the disco; however, your child will receive a small container of popcorn. If you would prefer that your child doesn’t have the popcorn, please contact your child’s Home Group teacher and let them know.
Please contact your child's Home Group teacher if you have any questions about the disco.
Photo Gallery
Reminders:
Spare Clothes - keeping a set of spare clothes (including underwear and socks) is really helpful while the weather is still wet. It is a great idea for children to wear gumboots to school on wet days. These can be left by the door when they are in the classroom, and socks or slippers worn inside.
Up Coming Dates:
Saturday 15th August - PTA Bingo Night
Friday 21st August - PTA Disco
Friday 4th September - Staff Only Day, School Closed
A very warm welcome (back) to you all, and we especially welcome the families of our newest tamariki. The children have settled beautifully, and we are truly impressed with the way the older children are showing such care and kindness towards the children who had their first day at school last week.
We have a busy term ahead, and will be keeping you up to date with our whiteboard notices, as well as through our blog posts. Also, please make sure you read our school newsletters as they are sent out to you via Hero. Another way to keep up to date is by checking our school website where you can find our school calendar. Here you will find all the details you will need to know, about what's coming up in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Matariki Evening:
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our Matariki Evening during the first week of term. What a fabulous event, with a wonderful selection of workshops on offer (see photos below). This evening was coordinated superbly by Kate Meder from our Pōhutukawa team. Thank you so much for a truly wonderful evening, Kate.
What's coming up:
On Friday, August 7th, a 'Scooter-athlon' is being held at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. This will involve Koru team tamariki running a short distance, scooting around a course which will be well-marked for the children and finishing with another short run. Teachers will take their Home Groups out to walk the course, prior to the event itself. There will be several marshalls at points around the course, to ensure that children follow the correct route. The running parts of the course are in the park, and the scooting part is around the edge of our junior playground and also includes the courtyard area on the river side of the hall.
If you happen to have a spare scooter and helmet, we would be very grateful if you were willing to lend them for use during the event. Please see your child's Home Group teacher if this is the case.
If your child would like to participate, however doesn't have a scooter and a helmet, please let your child's Home Group teacher know and we will endeavour to match your child with a spare scooter and helmet.
Please note that this is a fun event and there is no compulsion for children to participate.
Those children participating will do so in house groups:
2:25 p.m.: Fisher and Heathcote
2:35 p.m.: Tennyson and Waimea
Literacy links:
For our new whānau, please find below some Literacy links which we hope you will find helpful.
We've had an absolute blast this term! Our Koru Hub has been filled with laughter, deep learning, and wonderful moments of collaboration. It's been incredible watching our tamariki strengthen their friendships and work so beautifully together. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to welcome our third home group to the Koru team next term. Thank you for a fantastic term!
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us in the Hall last Wednesday for our PTA Midwinter Breakfast! It was wonderful to see so many cosy pyjamas and smiling faces sharing a morning meal together.
We want to extend a special shout-out to:
Our Generous Community: Thank you to everyone who brought along a canned food donation to support those in need.
The Incredible PTA and Volunteers: An extra-large thank you to the amazing team who arrived in the dar, early hours to set up the hall and whip up bowls of delicious warming porridge!
Events like this remind us what a fantastic community we have. Thanks for braving the winter chill with us. We Get There Together!
Digitech
On Thursday, we were incredibly fortunate to be able to welcome Kate Sutherland from Digital Future Aotearoa to spend the morning with us.
As part of our Matariki learning, we explored our kura from a different perspective and reflected on the places that are special to us. We began by wondering what our school might look like from above, like a bird in flight, before comparing our ideas with a real aerial view through a drone flight over the kura and park.
Tamariki noticed familiar places in a whole new way and shared their ideas about where we learn, play, and care for our environment. Back inside, they added their own reflections to aerial images of our kura, as well as creating their own bird's eye view drawings, celebrating Tūrangawaewae, our place of belonging.
We also explored digital citizenship and the responsibility that comes with being a safe and ethical drone pilot. We learned to look out for manu (birds), kurī (dogs), and people in the park, while Kate shared some of the Civil Aviation rules that help keep everyone safe.
It was a wonderful morning of noticing, wondering, reflecting, and connecting with our kura through a different lens.
Term 3 information:
Matariki - Wednesday 22 July
Matariki is the start of the Māori New Year and a time of reflection, connection and planning for the year ahead. We would like to celebrate at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, with you and your whānau on Wednesday, the 22nd of July, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. There will be a welcome and performance in Māpuna, the Hall by Te Whānau Mahi Tahi. Then Matariki workshops and activities in the Hubs for whānau to make, play and experience together. Pōhutukawa and Kōwhai Kapa Haka will perform in Māpuna, the Hall, to finish the evening.
Scooter-athlon - Friday 7 August
Next term, our Koru Team will take part in an exciting Scooter-athlon on Friday, 7th August, from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. This is the first time this event will take place at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto! Whānau are invited to come along and cheer on the tamariki. The Scooter-athlon will follow a run - scooter - run format. Students are encouraged to wear their House T-Shirts, bring their own scooter and helmet, wear closed-toe shoes, and follow safety rules. The Year 7/8 students will act as marshals to help run the event safely. Please note: if it is raining, the Scooter-athlon will be postponed. Any changes will be shared via Hero. Please let your homegroup teacher know if your child does not have a scooter, or if you have a spare one you are happy to lend. We can't wait to see the tamariki scoot, run, and have fun - nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge!
It has been another busy and exciting week in the Koru Hub, with our tamariki engaged in a wide range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. From developing their literacy and numeracy skills to collaborative play, and hands-on learning opportunities during our ponds trip, there has been plenty to keep everyone motivated and engaged.
Our learners have continued to show curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm as they tackle new challenges, build friendships, and celebrate their successes. It has been wonderful to see students supporting one another, sharing their ideas, and taking pride in their learning.
Junior Park Explorers Adventure at Beckenham Ponds
We enjoyed a wonderful morning on Thursday exploring Beckenham Ponds as part of the Christchurch City Council Junior Park Explorers Programme.
The trip gave our tamariki the opportunity to get outdoors, learn about the natural environment, and discover some of the amazing plants and animals that live right here in our local community.
During the visit, the children became nature detectives, using their observation skills to learn about the different birds, trees, and insects found around the ponds. They listened carefully to the sounds of native and introduced birds, looked closely at the shapes and features of different trees, and searched for insects living amongst the plants, grasses and pond water. There was plenty of excitement as students shared their discoveries and asked thoughtful questions about the natural world.
The Junior Park Explorers Programme encourages children to develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation for nature, and our students embraced every opportunity to explore, investigate, and learn. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they connected classroom learning with real-world experiences.
A special thank you to the parents and whānau members who joined us on the trip. Your support and assistance helped make the outing a success, and we greatly appreciate the time you gave to help our students enjoy this valuable learning experience.
Kapa Haka
We are loving our Kapa Haka sessions with Whaea Cath on alternating Fridays. It is a lovely time to share stories, sing waiata and korero. Cath often brings a small friend with her to help us learn new waiata. This week we meet her little ruru!
PTA Mid Winter Breakfast
The Student Council and PTA are hosting a Mid Winter Breakfast on Wednesday 24th June at 8am. Start your day with a lovely warm breakfast with your child in the hall. You will need a bowl, spoon and a can to donate to the Christchurch City Mission. Some teachers may be there to have breakfast too. Please note the classrooms will open at 8.30 as usual, there is no supervision for children to be dropped at breakfast unaccompanied.
Toys at School
We have seen an increase in toys from home being brought to school recently. If your child needs a particular toy for comfort, please contact their home group teacher. Otherwise, we ask that toys are not brought to school. They are often a distraction in the classroom and a big worry and disappointment if they get lost or broken.
Cutlery and Lunchbox Food
If you are sending food to school with your child that requires a spoon or fork, please can you supply this in their lunchbox. We do not have cutlery in the classroom and it is very difficult to get this while we are supervising the children eating. It would also be very helpful if any pouches could be opened a little so the children can access these independently.
ICT Message
Staying Safe Online: Scams
People in New Zealand are losing millions of dollars to scammers each year – and this is just the figures reported to Netsafe so the actual figure is likely much higher!
It’s important that you and your tamariki know what to look out for to avoid scams. Netsafe have put their best advice together to help you stay safe online and stay away from scams.
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