Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 26th June 2026

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

I hope you have all had a great week.

It was wonderful to see so many members of our community at school this week for our Learning Conferences. We greatly value the opportunity to connect with parents and whānau, celebrate each child's progress, and work together to support their next steps in learning.

This week I wanted to highlight one of our school values:

We Care – Arohania te tāngata me te taiao
This value sits at the heart of who we are as a school. It shapes the way we care for one another and underpins our commitment to ensuring every student has access to learning and opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances.

As we celebrate this value, I would like to acknowledge and thank a number of people who have demonstrated what We Care looks like in action.

Thank you to our community

Recently, we asked for support to strengthen our hardship fund, and we were overwhelmed by your generosity. Together, you donated $11,234. These funds will allow us to continue supporting students and families who need a helping hand, both now and into the future.

Thank you to our Year 5–8 students

Our students have embraced the 40 Hour Challenge in support of World Vision. Their goal was to raise $7,500, and as of today, with one week still to go, they have already raised $7,278. It is inspiring to see our students making a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of others around the world.

Thank you to our PTA

In addition to the financial support they provide for school initiatives, the PTA plays a vital role in bringing our community together. This week's Mid-Winter Breakfast was a wonderful example of this. During the event, our Student Council collected canned food donations for the Christchurch City Mission, helping support people in need within our local community.

Thank you to Sofia, Jessica and Zaria, three of our Year 8 students

These students came up with the idea of providing graduation hoodies for every Year 8 student. Their vision was that no one should miss out because of cost. They have been working with suppliers to reduce costs and are leading fundraising efforts so that every Year 8 student can receive a hoodie at no cost to their family. It has been fantastic to see our students leading with such a strong sense of inclusion and care for others.

As a school, we are committed to achieving excellence in learning across all curriculum areas. Equally important, however, is ensuring that our values are lived every day. The examples above remind us that success is not only measured by academic achievement, but also by the compassion, generosity, and sense of community we show one another.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Ngā mihi,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Sat 27 JunePOSTPONED - Bingo Night
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
Wed 1 JulyPTA Meeting (7:30- 8:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyFunky Hair Day
Fri 3 JulyLast Day of Term 2
School Holidays
Upcoming EventsTerm 3
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3
Wed 22 JulySouth Zone Indoor Basketball Tournament (Yr 7/8)
Wed 22 JulyMatariki Evening (5:30-7pm)
Fri 24 JulyWelcome Assembly (9:15-9:30am, Hall)
Wed 29 JulyCanterbury Cricket Sessions (Yr 0-6)
Wed 29 JulySouth Zone Indoor Basketball Tournament (Yr 5/6)
Thu 30 JulyCanterbury Cricket Sessions (Yr 0-6)
Fri 31st JulyCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 5 AugustPTA Meeting (7:30- 8:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 14 AugustCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Sat 15 AugustBingo Night!
Wed 19 AugustBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 21 AugustPTA School Disco
Wed 26 AugustSchool Duathlon Event (Yr 5-8)
Fri 28 AugustCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 2 SeptPTA Meeting (7:30- 8:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 3 SeptTeam Kauri Mount Hutt Ski Trip
Fri 4 SeptSchool Closed - Staff Only Day

Citizen of the Week

Freddie - Year 4

Freddie, you are a role model learner in the Kōwhai hub, consistently taking pride in producing high-quality work. You are also a reliable helper, always willing to take responsibility for looking after our devices and supporting others when needed. Your kind, caring, and considerate nature makes you a valued friend to everyone around you. Through your actions, you truly demonstrate all of our school values. Thank you, Freddie!

Mati - Year 5

Mati, your hardworking and diligent approach to learning is to be commended. You show genuine curiosity and a desire to increase your knowledge and skills, and your good humour makes you a pleasure to have in the classroom. You contribute positively to the class through your caring and respectful interactions with others. Tino pai, Mati.

Samson - Year 8

Samson, you make a positive impact in our kura through your leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment as a house captain. You support and motivate others, helping to create a respectful and inclusive environment. He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai. 

School Notices

Offering Support to our Community - We Care

We are aware that the current economic situation is placing additional pressure on many families within our community. For some, we know these pressures are significant. Following our appeal for hardship donations, we are in a position to offer some assistance with uniforms, stationery or food to any families that could do with some help.

Supporting our tamariki at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, and ensuring they have everything they need to succeed at school, is something we are very grateful we can assist with, thanks to our caring community.

Please feel free to reach out by contacting any of the team in the office or emailing accounts@beckenham.school.nz for a confidential request for support.

Variety - The Children's Charity

Variety, the children's charity, helps pay for the costs of essential things children need to stay healthy, to go to school, and take part in their community.
All applications and renewals must be completed by caregivers, but we are here to support you if needed. Follow the link here for further information and to complete your application(s). You can submit applications for multiple children in one family.

Please feel welcome to reach out for further support with this process by visiting the office for a sit-down and chat or emailing pa@beckenham.school.nz.

Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe - We are all rowing this waka together.

Shelter in Place and Lockdown Information for Whānau

Each term as a school we practice what to do in an emergency. This term is our Shelter in Place and Lockdown practice. Please find below a reminder of the procedure for your information. In this, you will find the information about what your role as parent/caregiver involves.

If a situation arises that people need to remain inside for safety, Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has two levels: Shelter in Place and Lockdown. 

A Shelter in Place directive is issued when the threat is external and not directed at the school. For example, the school may activate the Shelter in Place plan if there is a report of a swarm of wasps, toxic smoke from a nearby fire, or an active armed defender in the community (but not in or near the school grounds).

A Lockdown instruction will be less commonly used and is only likely to be issued if the threat is directly to the school or in the school grounds. This will generally happen on instruction from Police.

LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS

Lockdown procedures are determined by Police advice and require the cooperation of students, staff and parents. We ask all parents to please follow the protocol outlined below to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
  • When the school goes into lockdown, all parents will be notified via both a text message (via HERO) and a HERO notice (which will generate an email for those who don’t use the app). Please ensure the contact details the school holds for your child’s caregivers are current.
  • All information will be sent to you through the channels outlined above as soon as it becomes available. We will be doing the best that we can to keep everyone informed. 
  • Students will not have access to laptops or other devices during a lockdown situation. This is for their own protection until the school ascertains the severity of the situation in consultation with the Police.
  • School phones may not be manned, so please do not try to contact the school or your child. 
  • Please do not, under any circumstances, come to the school until you are advised it is safe for you to do so. You may be putting yourself and others in danger.
  • The school will remain in lockdown until advised by the Police or other authorised personnel that it is safe to be lifted.
  • Once the lockdown is over, parents will be contacted immediately.
Thank you for your understanding and for taking the time to familiarise yourself with this protocol as we work together in an emergency situation to keep everyone safe.

Trees for Survival Planting Day


An amazing total of 730 native plants were grown and planted.

The Trees for Survival charitable trust project organisers would love feedback from the students and/or staff who were involved on the planting day and Trees for Survival experience - please use this link or feel free to email any feedback or planting day stories to kathryn@tfsnz.org.nz. Thank you! 

A nationwide creative writing competition for young Kiwi readers

Every Reader Has A Story … What’s Yours?

Books can stay with us long after we've turned the final page. Sometimes they help us through a difficult time. Sometimes they make us feel understood. Sometimes they open a door into a new world, a new idea, or a new way of seeing ourselves.

How has a book helped change you? 

To help celebrate the inaugural NZ Children’s Books Week: Read Around Aotearoa, the children's book-gifting charity, Kiwi Christmas Books is inviting you, the keen young readers of Aotearoa, to tell a true story about how a book made a difference in your life. Entry form.

You could win $250 in books for yourself and $500 in books for your school, and have your story published! 

Reminder ~ Matariki Evening - 22nd July

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction or Kīwaha (saying), and a Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:
Give these a go! "Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!"
Mauria te ponoBelieve in yourself and give it a go!
Whakataukī:He rā whatiwhati kōThis means a day of hard work.
Whakataukī:Ma whero ma pango ka oti ai te mahiWith red and black, the work will be complete. This is about everyone working together. Teamwork makes the dream work!
KīwahaKa mau te wehi!This means that’s amazing!
KīwahaKua pau te hau!This means I'm exhausted!
Kupu:NuiThis means big.
Kupu:AuēThis means “Oh no!”, or “Oh dear!”
If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero, in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator

Celebrating Zayn's Karate Success 

Congratulations to Zayn (Year 6), who proudly represented Beckenham at the South Island School & Canterbury Cup Karate Competition on Sunday, 21 June.

Zayn achieved outstanding results across both kata and kumite events:

10–13 Years Male Kata Premier – Gold Medal
Year 6 & 7 Boys Kata Premier – Gold Medal
Year 6 & 7 Boys Kumite Premier – Silver Medal
10–11 Years Male Kumite Premier – Bronze Medal

This is an incredible achievement and reflects Zayn’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to his sport. We are very proud of his success and congratulate him on representing our school so well.

Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the day

Another fantastic week of Weekly Winter Sport! It has been great to see our students continuing to develop their skills, work together as teams, and represent our kura with pride each week.

Congratulations to this week's Players of the Day, who were recognised for their effort, determination, and the positive way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, sportsmanship, and encouragement shown by all of our students as they continue to grow in confidence and capability.

A huge thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support and commitment. Your encouragement on the sidelines and assistance behind the scenes help make these opportunities possible for our tamariki.

Year ⅚ Flag Football - Archie & Keira
Year ⅚ Football - Alex, Harvey, Millie & Aidan
Year ⅚ Hockey - Stella, Cora, Ernest, Max & Mayeda
Year ⅚ Netball - Myka, Ophelia, Alexa & Jess
Year ⅞ Football - Louis & Henry
Year ⅞ Hockey - Woody, Constantin & Samson
Year ⅞ Netball - Zaria, Sristy, Seb, Vivienne & Saxton

Year 7/8 Chess Tournament Success

Congratulations to our Year 7/8 chess team who represented Beckenham at the recent interschool chess tournament. Competing against strong opposition, the team demonstrated excellent strategic thinking, patience, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

We are proud to share that the team finished 3rd overall in the B Grade competition - a fantastic achievement.

A special congratulations to Daniel, Ben, Tom B, and Shaan, who represented our school with confidence and determination. Their teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience at the chessboard were outstanding.

Well done to all four students on an excellent result and for being such positive ambassadors for Beckenham ♟️ 

Daniel's West Ham Invitation

This past April, Daniel (Year 5) spent two incredible days sharpening his skills at the prestigious West Ham George Cowie Holiday Programme
His hard work, dedication, and natural talent truly shone through, earning him an exclusive invitation to a 4-day elite training and technique clinic on the Gold Coast! 
We couldn't be prouder of Daniel for reaching this amazing milestone!

PTA News

Thank you to everyone who helped out with the fantastic Midwinter Breakfast! It was lovely to see all the children enjoying their breakfast together and helping to clear up too! As a small PTA, we couldn’t run these events without your support. 

As you have heard, we have postponed the Kauri/PTA Bingo night until the 15th August due to the busy end-of-term schedule and the clash with the Matariki Fireworks in Brighton. We’re looking forward to hosting a fabulous event in August and can't wait to see you there! If you have already purchased tickets, they will be transferred to the new date (or refunded), and tickets are available to purchase through the link here.
In the meantime, we will see you at the Matariki Celebration on 22nd July! There will be sausages available from the PTA throughout the evening for a small koha.

Our next team hui is on Wednesday 1st July, in the school staff room, 7:30 to 8:30pm. All welcome.
 
Don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing pta@beckenham.school.nz if you have questions or are keen to get involved in any way!

Mid-winter Breakfast Highlights

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the SchoolDocs website: https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

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

Boulder Co. Climbing Gym - Term 3 Climbing Clubs

In Term 3, we are introducing Saturday classes, alongside our usual weekly classes.

2026 Term 3 dates:
Mondays 4:00pm-5:00pm, Wednesdays 4:30pm-5:30pm, Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am for 9-12 year olds, starting 20th July.
Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm, Saturdays 9-10am for 5-8 year olds, starting 21st July.
Mondays 5:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesdays 5pm-6:30pm, Saturdays 12pm-1:30pm for 13-17 year olds, starting 20th July.
All classes run for 10 weeks.

No experience is needed - our experienced coaches welcome complete beginners and work at every child's own pace in a safe, purpose-built environment. We keep the prices as affordable as possible with options for non-members and members available.
We also run holiday programmes during the school holidays.

Full details on all classes, including days, times, and how to book can be found at: www.boulderco.co.nz/locations/christchurch/classes-chch/kids-youth-classes/

Guitar & Bass Lessons - Students Wanted!

'My name is Francis Laurie, and I am a 16-year-old student offering lessons for both guitar and bass guitar. I am grade 8 in guitar, and I’m studying for grade 7 in bass guitar. 
I charge $20 for a half-hour lesson and can either host lessons or teach at your house. I have some experience in teaching, as I have already taught multiple students for over a term. I would also be able to let you borrow an acoustic guitar for the lesson.
Text or call 028 464 5605 to discuss further details.'

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 12th June 2026

Principal's Update

Kia ora whānau,

School Reports and Learning Conferences

As shared in the last newsletter, school reports will be sent home to families next Friday. Information about Learning Conferences, including how to book a time with your child's homeroom teacher, will be sent out shortly.
Learning Conferences provide an important opportunity to discuss your child's progress, celebrate their achievements, and identify areas of focus for the remainder of the year. We look forward to meeting with you and your child at these conferences.

Property Update 

A number of improvements are scheduled for this term and next:
  • Solar Panels - scheduled for installation in the upcoming school holidays 
  • Artificial Turf near Kōmanawa Building - 7 September (Term 3 - Week 8)
  • New Shade Sails for Junior Playground - Term 3 holiday break
You may have noticed that one of the shade umbrellas near the Junior Playground has been removed. The metal structure is currently being rebuilt following damage caused by vandalism and is expected to be returned to the school today.

Unfortunately, the second umbrella was also damaged and will be removed today for repairs.

Third New Entrants Class

Our third new entrants class will open at the beginning of Term 3. This class will be taught by Elizabeth, with Nicola taking on a full-time role in the class she currently shares with Elizabeth.

If you have a child who will be starting school in Term 3 or 4, or know of someone in this situation, it would be helpful if they could be enrolled as soon as possible. This will support us with planning and ensure we are well prepared to welcome them.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
Thu 18 JuneKoru team - Junior Park Explorers Trip
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
" "Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Sat 27 JuneBingo Night
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
" "PTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyFunky Hair Day
" "Last Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3
Wed 22 JulyMatariki Evening (5:30-7pm)

Citizen of the Week

Moana - Year 6

Moana, you are a kind, caring and enthusiastic learner. You consistently treat others with the utmost respect, and you are an incredibly supportive friend. Thank you for always demonstrating our school values with a positive smile. Well done, Moana!

Zaria - Year 8

Zaria, you are a remarkably capable and positive member of Team Kauri. You role-model our school values, especially 'We Make a Difference', through your willingness to support our school community as a student leader. You show initiative in your leadership roles and foster genuine connections with your peers through your kind actions and words. He tauiraira koe ki ō hoa (You are a role model to your peers). 

School Notices

Save the Date: Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto’s Matariki Evening 

Matariki marks the start of the Māori New Year. This is a time for reflection, connection, and planning for the year ahead. 
We would love to celebrate this special time with you and your whānau on Wednesday, 22nd July (the first Wednesday of Term Three) from 5:30 pm!

More details about the evening will be shared closer to the time, but please see the attached poster for a sneak peek!

40 Hour Challenge – We Need Your Help!

There are still lots of Year 5-8 students who have told us they would like to take part in this year's 40 Hour Challenge but haven't signed up yet.

Please have a chat with your child about whether they would like to be involved and, if so, help them sign up using the link below:

The 40 Hour Challenge takes place from 19–21 June and is a great opportunity for our tamariki to make a difference for children and families in the Solomon Islands.

We have made a fantastic start and have already raised $1,984 towards our school goal of $7,500. Thank you to everyone who has signed up and started fundraising so far.

If your child is not in Years 5–8 but your whānau would still like to support this important cause, donations can be made directly through our school fundraising page here:

Let's keep the momentum going and see how close we can get to our target!

40 Hours? Challenge Accepted!

Sign up. Switch off. Stand up for Pacific kids.

Winter Wellness Reminder

If your child is sick, please keep them home until they are well. This way, we can all work together to minimise the spread as much as possible.

Please call 033371404 or email office@beckenham.school.nz if your child/children are sick.

Staff will continue to promote regular washing of hands, especially before eating, along with ventilating the hubs.

Thank you for your assistance with this.

Celebrating Student Achievement - Pippa!

Trees For Survival Planting Day

Last week, we had the Trees for Survival planting day. We took a group of 29 children, from across Year 5 - 8, and travelled by bus out to a farm in Kaiapoi, and met our sponsors from Accor Hotels, the land owners and their family. 

It was a beautiful day, the children worked incredibly hard, and had lots of fun. 753 plants were planted from our shade-house / Trees for Survival!

The experience was a wonderful example of our values, We Make a Difference, and We Get There Together, as students contributed positively to the environment, our wider Canterbury community and worked alongside others to restore a local area.

A special thank you to everyone involved in making the day such a success!

Staff Profiles

Welcome Kathryn Sutherland - Kōwhai Team

Hello! I'm Kathryn Sutherland. I've recently returned to Christchurch with my family after living and teaching in London for the last 23 years. I've been working at a school in Halswell since the start of this year, teaching in year 6, and I'm really looking forward to starting at Beckenham! 

PTA News

Midwinter Breakfast 

We’re busy organising the Midwinter Breakfast. This is taking place on Wednesday, 24th June, at 8am in the hall. Bring a bowl, a spoon and a can for the City Mission!  

Readathon

Congratulations to all for another fantastic Readathon! There was loads of great reading done, some great work on collecting sponsors and fabulous costumes at the Book Character day. We raised a grand total of $5,224 for the school, ka pai tō mahi!

Bingo Night!

Tickets are available now (via the Kindo app or click here) for a fun-filled night and a chance to win some great prizes. Look out for the accompanying raffle next week, and there will also be a silent auction during the event.

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator

Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the Day

Another fantastic week of Weekly Winter Sport! It has been great to see our students continuing to develop their skills, work together as teams, and represent our kura with pride each week.

Congratulations to this week's Players of the Day, who were recognised for their effort, determination, and the positive way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, sportsmanship, and encouragement shown by all of our students as they continue to grow in confidence and capability.

A huge thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support and commitment. Your encouragement on the sidelines and assistance behind the scenes help make these opportunities possible for our tamariki.

Year ⅚ Flag Football - Ruby & Keira
Year ⅚ Football - Phoenix
Year ⅚ Hockey - Kit, Archie, Freya, Moana & Summer
Year ⅚ Netball - Pyper, Frankie, Florence & Zakyla
Year ⅞ Flag Football - Jeremiah & Tommy
Year ⅞ Football - Amelia & Clarel
Year ⅞ Hockey - Ben, Mitchell & Lily
Year ⅞ Netball - Mia, Hazel, Sristy, Saxton & Seb

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

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

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rātū (Tuesday) 2nd June 2026

Principal's Update

Kia ora whānau,

Changes to Student Reporting in 2026

This year, schools across Aotearoa New Zealand have begun implementing the refreshed curricula for Mathematics and Statistics, English. 

As a school, we are currently transitioning from the previous curriculum to these new learning frameworks. This means that teachers are using updated teaching approaches, assessment practices, and learning expectations to support student progress and achievement.

We would also like to acknowledge the significant work our teachers have undertaken as part of this transition. Over the past 18 months, staff have engaged in extensive professional learning to develop their understanding of the refreshed curriculum and adapt their teaching, assessment, and reporting practices. This has involved reviewing programmes, learning new approaches, and carefully considering how best to support student progress within the new curriculum framework. We are grateful for the commitment and professionalism our teachers have shown throughout this process.

What will reports look like?

This year, reports will include progress descriptors for Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. These descriptors indicate how your child is progressing in relation to the expectations of the refreshed curriculum for their year level.

For other curriculum areas, teachers will provide learning stories that celebrate your child's learning, growth, strengths, and next steps. These learning stories are designed to give families a rich picture of the experiences, skills, knowledge, and competencies their child is developing across the curriculum.

What does this mean for my child?

Because the new curriculum has only been in place since the beginning of 2026, you may notice differences in your child's reported achievement or progress compared with previous years. In some cases, these differences may reflect changes in curriculum expectations rather than changes in your child's learning.

Teachers use a range of evidence when making judgements about student progress, including classroom observations, learning conversations, assessment tasks, and formal assessment tools. These sources help build a comprehensive picture of each learner's strengths, needs, and progress.

Understanding the Progress Descriptors

Schools across New Zealand are now using common progress descriptors to show how students are achieving in relation to the expectations for their year level.

Emerging

Students at this stage:

Are beginning to understand some learning ideas for their year level with significant support.
Can sometimes use what they have learned but usually need assistance.
Are making meaningful progress that aligns with their individual strengths and needs.

Developing

Students at this stage:

Are beginning to understand key learning concepts, often with some support.
Can recall and apply learning in familiar situations with guidance.
Are making progress towards the expectations for their year level.

Consolidating

Students at this stage:

Are increasingly able to use learning strategies independently.
Are becoming more confident at remembering and applying their learning.
Are beginning to transfer their learning to new situations.
Can reflect on their learning and identify ways to improve.

Proficient

Students at this stage:

Consistently use effective learning strategies independently.
Can apply their learning successfully in a variety of situations.
Often transfer their knowledge and skills to new contexts.
Explain their thinking clearly and contribute ideas that support the learning of others.

Exceeding

Students at this stage:

Demonstrate advanced understanding and thinking.
Make connections across different learning areas and situations.
Extend and deepen their ideas independently.
Apply their learning creatively and thoughtfully to complex challenges.
Critically evaluate and test ideas to build deeper knowledge.

Questions?

We recognise that curriculum and reporting changes can raise questions for families. If you would like to discuss your child's progress or achievement in more detail, we encourage you to contact your child's teacher. They will be happy to explain how your child is progressing and the evidence used to make these judgements.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for every child.

Ngā mihi
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 3 JunePTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 4 JuneTrees4Survival Planting Day
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Fri 5 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 10 JunePSC Artistic Gymnastics (Chch School of Gymnastics)
Thu 11 JuneWhakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Fri 12 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
" "Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 18 JuneKoru team - Junior Park Explorers Trip TBC
" "Whakanui Whaikaha - Disability Play Partnership (Parakiore Centre)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Sat 27 JuneBingo Night
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
Wed 1 JulyPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyFunky Hair Day
" "Last Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3

Citizen of the Week

Sarah - Year 8

Sarah, you make a positive impact at school through your kindness, reliability, and thoughtful approach to others. You lead by example, helping to create a supportive and inclusive environment for your peers. Kia manawanui, Sarah.

Aelara - Year 3

Aelara, your kindness is infectious. Your gentle and caring nature makes you a pleasure to be around. You are a loyal and supportive friend who consistently looks to includes others. You have a focused work ethic and you approach every challenge with a positive, fun-loving attitude. Tino pai Aelara!  

School Notices

40 Hour Challenge: Go Offline. Make a Difference.

19–21 June | Be Part of Something Bigger
This year, World Vision are inviting young people across Aotearoa to take part in the 40 Hour Challenge and make a real difference for children and communities in the Solomon Islands.

Through this year’s challenge, participants will raise funds to help children access enough nutritious food to grow up healthy and strong. Fundraising will support families with tools, seeds, and training to grow crops that can survive a changing climate. It will also help communities protect gardens from rising sea levels and support efforts to bring fish back closer to shore.

Your support can make a real difference:
  • $30 will train a mother in nutrition.
  • $98 will provide seeds and farming tools so families can continue feeding their children despite rising seas and unpredictable crops.
  • $178 will help a young person start a business with their peers, building skills and earning income.
Our Year 5–8 students had the opportunity to sign up during Week 5. We would love your support in helping them sign up, choose a challenge, and begin their fundraising journey. Click the link here to join our school's fundraising page.

Whether students decide to go completely offline for 40 hours or create a challenge of their own, every effort helps create change.

40 Hours? Challenge accepted.

Sign up. Switch off. Stand up for Pacific kids.

Not taking part in the 40 Hour Challenge but would still like to support our school fundraising efforts? Here is the link to our school fundraising page.

You can also view the video link here.

Sustainability - We Care! We Make A Difference!

Along with Cashmere High School students, an initiative started by the sustainability club at Cashmere High School, a group of 7 Beckenham students helped recently with planting along the Cashmere stream. 

It was an awesome group effort of about 40 people on David Attenborough’s 100th birthday. Our students did a great cleanup of the banks, as well as helping with planting and putting the equipment back. The grasses will help to cool the stream for the eels, absorb runoff, and the draping leaves provide some habitat for small aquatic life. 

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction or saying, and a Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:
Give these a go! "Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!"
Mauria te ponoBelieve in yourself and give it a go!
Whakataukī:Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teiteiSeek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain. This means to aim high and be persistent with what you want to achieve.
Whakataukī:He rā whatiwhati kōThis means a day of hard work.
Instruction:HurihuriTurn around.
Instruction:Homai te pakipakiGive us a clap!
Kupu:WhetūThis means star.
Kupu:HuawhenuaThis means vegetables.
If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

Chicken Chat 🐔

'Our Chickens' Page on the School Website

Our chickens now have their own page on the school website! Please feel free to take a look - more regular chicken updates are to come.

Chickenstock 2026 

Last Saturday, 23rd of May, a large and passionate crowd gathered at the Climate Change Campus to support the chickens and trainers selected for Chickenstock - Christchurch’s premier chicken athletics event.

One of the largest teams competing was made up of Silkies and their dedicated trainers from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, led by Director of Chickens, Sue Leadbetter. The team and its supporters stood out for their care, commitment and determination to help their chickens put their best foot forward, and in the right direction.

A standout performance came from Waffles, expertly supported by Ryland. For just under two minutes, on the obstacle course and in front of a large crowd, Ryland and Waffles appeared to become one as they navigated obstacles placed in their way. As Waffles stepped onto the finishing stump, the crowd erupted, with chants of “We love Waffles!” ringing through the venue.

Thank you to all members of our school whānau who attended and supported the event. It was a wonderful example of community spirit, encouragement and pure joy.

Results:
  • Seth and Potato - 1st place in the high jump
  • Ryland and Waffles  - 1st place in the obstacle course
Here are some highlights from the day:

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator

Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the Day

What a wonderful first week of Weekly Winter Sport! It was fantastic to see our students representing our kura with enthusiasm, teamwork, and positive attitudes across all venues.

A special congratulations to our Players of the Day, who were recognised not only for their skills and effort, but also for the way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the sportsmanship, resilience, and encouragement shown by all of our teams.

Thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support — we couldn’t do it without you!
  • Year ⅚ Hockey - Elsie S, Aubrey, Freya, Nataly & Finn
  • Year ⅚ Netball - Ross, Emma D, Sage & Carice
  • Year ⅞ Flag Football - Nick
  • Year ⅞ Football - Josh
  • Year ⅞ Hockey - Woody, Constantin & Daniel
  • Year ⅞ Netball - Grace, Britta & Jacob

Year 7/8 Warriors Celebrate First Pioneer Basketball Win 🏀

A huge congratulations to our Year 7/8 Warriors basketball team, who secured their first win of the Pioneer Basketball competition on Friday night! 

The boys showed fantastic teamwork, determination, and resilience out on the court, and it was awesome to see all their hard work pay off. A special shoutout also goes to their coach, Dom from Cashmere High School, who is doing an incredible job supporting and developing the team each week. We really appreciate the time, energy, and enthusiasm he brings to the role. Well done team — we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings!

South Zone Cross Country Success

Yesterday, we sent 44 students to Hansen Park to compete in the South Zone cross country and came away with some phenomenal results. A big congratulations to the following 12 racers who have qualified to represent the South Zone at the Canterbury Cross Country:
  • Year 5: Amelia
  • Year 6: Laurien, Chloe, Laurence & Ethan
  • Year 7: Haydn & Clara
  • Year 8: Laura, Misha, Ben, Zach & Jacob

PTA News

Save the date - Saturday 27th June - Bingo night!

The PTA and Kauri team are hosting a fundraising Bingo night! If you have a business and can help with any silent auction or bingo prizes, please let us know by completing this form:


Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pta@beckenham.school.nz

As always, thank you for your support!

Our Next PTA Team Meeting

We are meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, 3rd June, at 7.30pm in the staffroom. Newcomers are always welcome! 

If you would like to help the PTA  but can’t make the meetings, please join the PTA Supporters Messenger Group

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

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

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 15th May 2026

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

This week I attended some professional development where I was asked to reflect on what drains my optimism as a leader and what restores it. I was very quick to answer what fills my bucket - connecting with our staff and students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful school community, and I feel very privileged to be part of it. The care, commitment, and positivity shown by our students, staff, and whānau every day make our school a very special place.

There is some important information in this newsletter, so I hope you have time to read through it carefully.

Upcoming Reporting

As part of our ongoing professional learning, teachers have been developing their knowledge and confidence in reporting student progress and achievement against the Ministry of Education’s new curriculum and descriptors for English and Mathematics.

This work has focused on making accurate, strengths-based judgements about student learning and includes opportunities for moderation through professional dialogue. Particular attention has also been given to identifying clear next learning steps for students.

In our next newsletter, we will provide further information about the new descriptors, what each of them means, and what our updated student reports for 2026 will look like.

Book Character Day and Readathon

It was fantastic to see so many students dressing up today as their favourite book characters. Today’s celebrations, along with the current Readathon kindly organised by the PTA, reinforce the importance of reading and developing a love of books.

The benefits of reading are well researched and documented. Research consistently shows that habitual reading, especially reading for pleasure, is linked to improved health and well-being, greater academic achievement, enhanced cognitive function, and even longer life expectancy.

Thank you to our PTA for supporting this wonderful initiative, and thank you to families for continuing to encourage reading at home. Keep encouraging your children to read, it truly makes a difference!

Digital Learning Survey

Thank you to the 130 parents who provided feedback through our recent digital learning survey. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your voice and perspectives with us.

Our first step has been analysing the information gathered. From this, the key message emerging from the survey is a desire for a more intentional, transparent, and balanced approach to the use of digital tools in learning.

Our next steps will involve completing a research review and gathering further feedback from both teachers and students. Following this, we will develop a pathway forward to ensure our digital learning practices are the very best they can be for our learners.

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 20 MayBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 22 MayKahikatea Hansen Park Walk (9:30am-1:30pm)
Wed 27 MayYear 5-8 South Zone Cross Country Event
Fri 29 MayStaff Only Day - School Closed
Mon 1 JuneKing's Birthday - School Closed
Wed 3 JunePTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 4 JuneTrees4Survival Planting Day
Fri 5 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 10 JunePSC Artistic Gymnastics (Chch School of Gymnastics)
Fri 12 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Mon 15 JuneYear 5/6 & 7/8 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Tue 16 JuneYear 5/6 Canterbury Softball Sessions
Wed 17 JuneYear 5-8 PSC Cross Country Canterbury Zones
Wed 17 JuneBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Tue 23 & Wed 24 JuneLearning Conferences (Tue 2pm-7pm, Wed 2pm-6pm)
School finishes at 1:45pm
Wed 24 JunePTA Mid Winter Breakfast
Fri 26 JuneCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Tues 30 JuneYear 0-4 Cross Country Challenge (Zones)
Wed 1 JulyPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 3 JulyLast Day of Term 2
Mon 20 JulyFirst Day of Term 3

Citizen of the Week

Kyle - Year 8

Kyle, you consistently demonstrate all of our school values in everything you do. You show genuine kindness and inclusion in every setting, making others feel welcome and supported. You are a loyal friend with an honest and caring nature, and you approach every challenge with a positive, fun-loving attitude. Kyle - well done!

Nina - Year 6

Nina, your gentle and patient nature makes you a pleasure to be around, and this shows in the culture you set in the learning space. You consistently impress by how you stay deeply concentrated on your tasks, showing a level of focus that leads to wonderful results while also bringing your fun and outgoing energy. You have a fantastic balance of personality and diligence; you should be very proud of your progress.  

School Notices

Public Health Nurse

My name is Holly, and I am the Public Health Nurse for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. The Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) work with tamariki and their whānau where health and wellbeing concerns impact on their home and school lives.
Please contact me if you have any health concerns for your tamariki.

waea pūkoro: 03 383 6877 ext: 99628, 0272843397
īmēra: holly.cummings@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Medication at School

If a child requires medication at school on a long or short-term basis, parents/caregivers need to complete a medicine authority form with Jacky, Alisa or Chloe in the office. Procedures are followed to ensure that it is kept securely and administered appropriately.

Any medication that is required to be kept at school on an ongoing basis, expiry dates need to be checked regularly by parents/caregivers. If the school notices an expiry date is due, parents/caregivers will be advised.

Parents/caregivers are asked to please update the school on any medical/health information about their child by contacting the school office.

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction or saying, and a Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:
Give these a go! "Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!"
Mauria te ponoBelieve in yourself and give it a go!
Whakataukī:He rau ringa e oti aiThis means many hands make light work. So, let’s focus on working together as a team!
Whakataukī:Mauria te ponoThis means to Believe in Yourself!
Saying:Ka kite anōThis means see you later!
Instruction:Turituri!Be quiet!
Kupu:ManuhiriThis is the word for guests or visitors.
Kupu:HōtokeWinter (season)
If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator

BTKOP Cross Country - Champions & Runners Up

Our school cross country was a fantastic success, with students showing determination, resilience, encouragement, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day. It was wonderful to see so many tamariki challenging themselves and supporting one another across every race. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our Cross Country Champions and Runners-Up listed below — an incredible effort from all involved. Congratulations also to Fisher House, who took out the Inter-House Cross Country Cup this year!

Koru:
Champions: Thomas & Devon
Runners-Up: Max & Izzy

Year 1:
Champions: Arthur & Tallulah
Runners-Up: Rafael & Athena

Year 2:
Champions: Greyson & Erin
Runners-Up: Max & Sadie

Year 3:
Champions: Hugo & Leah
Runners-Up: Bear & Hanaē

Year 4:
Champions: Beau & Florence
Runners-Up: Mason & Violet

Year 5:
Champions: Hunter & Amelia
Runners-Up: Jos & Stella

Year 6:
Champions: Ethan & Laurien
Runners-Up: Simon & Chloe

Year 7:
Champions: Haydn & Jayme
Runners-Up: Lucas & Clara

Year 8:
Champions: Zach & Laura
Runners-Up: Ben & Misha

PTA News

Readathon - Thank you

Thank you for all your hard work on the Readathon! If there are any last-minute forms or sponsorship money to return, you are welcome to bring it next week - we still have plenty of bookmarks!
 
Sponsorship money can also be paid directly into the account:  
PTA-Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto 12-3148-0244558-00

PTA Supporters Group

We’re always looking for people to support our fundraisers and events, so if you’re keen to get involved (but can’t attend meetings), you can join our Supporters Group:

Help us tidy up the school grounds!

We would love you to join us for a garden and outdoor space tidy up (and BBQ!) on Sunday, 24th May at 10am. Meet at Tree-mendous with your gardening gloves and tools!

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

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

ACTT Parent Seminar (Mandarin)

Many children growing up in New Zealand today are navigating life between two cultures. This Mandarin-language seminar explores how parents can better understand “third culture” children and create a safe space for communication and connection at home.

Saturday 16 May
1:00 PM
Halswell Library

Free childcare available for children aged 5–12. Please scan the QR code on the poster to register.

ACTT亲子讲座

在新西兰长大的孩子,往往生活在两个文化之
间。本场中文讲座将帮助家长更理解「第三文
化」孩子的内心世界,并学习如何建立一个让
孩子愿意沟通与表达的安全空间。

5月16日(星期六)
下午1点
Halswell 图书馆

提供5–12岁儿童看顾服务。
请扫描海报二维码报名。

Spaces Available at Pebbles

Dear Families,
We are pleased to share that we currently have spaces available in our Kea Room at Pebbles Montessori Cashmere (26 Colombo Street), for children under 2 years of age.

Our centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm, including throughout the school holidays. We close for a two-week period over Christmas each year.

At Pebbles Montessori, we warmly welcome all enquiries. You can get in touch via the online enquiry form on our website linked here. We would love the opportunity to show you around our centre, introduce you to our teaching team, and give you a chance to observe our Montessori philosophy in practice.

If you would prefer to speak with us directly or arrange a visit, please feel free to call us at any time on 021 274 1967. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your family to our community.
Kind regards,
Pebbles Montessori Team

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 1st May 2026

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

A big thank you to all those who attended our cross country event today. It was fantastic to see such strong community support, and even better to watch our students giving it their all in the sunshine at Beckenham Park. Events like this really highlight the spirit and energy of our kura.

Important Strategic Review - Use of Digital Devices for Learning 

We are beginning a strategic review of the use of digital technologies in our school. This is important work as we consider how digital tools can best support learning, wellbeing, and balance for our students. We value your voice in this process and invite you to contribute by completing the survey linked below. Your feedback will play an important role in shaping our future direction. Ideally we would get feedback from every whānau/family in our school. 

Please fill in the 5 question below to contribute your voice to the future of learning at our school: 

Chicken Update

You may have seen earlier in the week that some of our chickens will be competing in the Christchurch Premier Chicken Athletics Event, Chicken Stock. Adding to the excitement, yesterday we had our first eggs produced by the chickens! This created a real buzz across the school, with students eager to see and learn more about the process.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Upcoming EventsTerm 2
Wed 6 MayPTA Meeting (7:30- 9:30pm, Staff Room)
Thu 7 MayU11 NFL Tournament (Yr 4-6)
Fri 8 MayCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 13 MayGirls Got Game - Basketball Programme
Thu 14 MayTeam Kauri Trip to Cashmere High School
Fri 15 MayBook Character Day
Fri 15 MayCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)
Wed 20 MayBoard of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 27 MaySouth Zone Cross Country Event (Yr 5-8)
Fri 29 MayStaff Only Day - School Closed
Mon 1 JuneKing's Birthday - School Closed

Citizen of the Week

Julia - Year 4

Julia, you are a hardworking and diligent learner. You consistently show our school kete values each and every day. You are a kind friend, and your caring and warm nature brightens our hub! Thank you for helping others and being an excellent role model! Tino pai tō mahi, Julia!

Maya - Year 5

Maya, you are the kind of person who makes our school feel like a community. You show kindness and empathy every day, and you’re always quick to help others and include everyone. You take on challenges with confidence and treat everyone with respect. Thank you for being such a positive role model.

School Notices

Pedestrian Crossing and Road Safety on Sandwich Road

We know that everyone is keen to keep our tamariki safe as they travel to and from school. To support this, please always use the pedestrian crossing when crossing the road. Please do not cross over the road outside of the crossing. This is especially important during the busy pick-up and drop-off times with increased traffic around the school. 

Please also remember that the 3-minute 'Kiss & Go' drop off zone on the school side of Sandwich Road is MAX 3 minutes - not enough time for you to get out of your car and go into school to drop off or collect your child, or to sit waiting in your car. If everyone uses this area as a quick drop-off/pick-up point, then all of the traffic will flow more smoothly, and the surroundings will be much safer for our children. 

Thank you for working together to keep our tamariki safe!

September Staff Only Day

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date for our upcoming Staff Only Day in September has changed. The original date of 11th September has been rescheduled to 4th September

Term 2 Reminder - Food Allergy Guidelines

Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.

To support the well-being of these students, we have the following guidelines in place, which we ask you to please follow.
  • All students should only eat lunches and snacks that have been provided by their caregivers.  
  • Bottles, other drinks, and lunch boxes provided by caregivers should be clearly labelled with the name of their child.  Home group teachers and caregivers will decide where the children’s bottles and lunch boxes will be kept during the day to ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
  • Parents are asked not to bring food into school to be shared with other children. Whilst we understand that there are times you want to celebrate special events for your children with their friends at school, e.g., birthdays or being awarded prizes, by bringing food and treats for them to share, we have a policy of children only eating the food that their whānau has prepared and sent with them. We have a number of students with food allergies, and we also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children to only eat food they have prepared. From time to time, there may be an event that teachers have organised that will involve food (cultural or learning activities), and they will have advised families in advance that this will be happening.  
Caregivers may be asked to come and talk to staff about their child’s specific health needs and ways we can support them at school.

We will inform you throughout the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change. 

Our full allergy policy and guidelines are available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under Information - Policies - SchoolDocs, then search ‘allergy’.

If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them in the first instance with your child’s home group teacher.

Ezlunch - School Lunch Deliveries

Ordering Ezlunch through Kindo is quick, easy, and one less thing to think about in the morning. You order from home (or on the go), and your child's lunch is delivered to school, ready to eat.
Here's how:
1. Log in to the Kindo app (or set up an account at shop.kindo.co.nz)
2. Pick from the menu on your school's available days
3. Your child collects their lunch at school

Order & win! 
Every Ezlunch order placed between 27 April - 22 May goes in the draw to win 1 of 5 x $50 Kindo credits each week. Order here: mykindo.co.nz
T&Cs apply. 

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Kia ora koutou! This term, we will be learning a new Whakataukī (phrase/proverb), an instruction, and Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:

Give these a go! "Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!"

Mauria te ponoBelieve in yourself and give it a go!
Whakataukī:Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te arohaThis means it’s the thought that counts.
Whakataukī:Whakarite ngā kete mō te haerenga!This means filling our kete for the journey.
Instruction:Whakarongo maiThis means listen to me
Instruction:Titiro maiThis means look at me.
Kupu:HīkoiThis means walk
Kupu:ArohaThis means love

If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

Staff Profiles

Welcome Stacey Hurst - Assistant Caretaker

Hi, I’m Stacey. I moved to New Zealand two years ago with my family from Western Australia. My three children currently attend Beckenham School.

I have been working as a professional gardener for the past 20 years. I look forward to learning more about native plants of New Zealand and love seeing all the restoration work to bring back native habits throughout Christchurch and the rest of the country.

Chicken Chat

Chicken Stock - Poultry Athletics Competition

As shared earlier this week via Hero - 'Our school chickens continue to be a real highlight around the kura! A big thank you to the students and whānau who are giving their time to ensure these chickens receive such high-quality care in our school environment.
We’re excited to share an egg-citing opportunity… a few of our chickens have been selected to compete in Christchurch’s premier chicken athletics event – Chicken Stock

It would be fantastic to see as many of you there as possible to support Potato, Ripeka, and one more soon-to-be-named representative as they proudly represent Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in events such as:
  • The Egg Pull – a true test of strength as chickens attempt to pull a tray of 12 eggs across the arena
  • The High Jump – clearing increasingly difficult obstacles until only one chicken remains
  • The Maze – sounds simple… but is it?
  • Chicken Dressage – precision routines (yes, really!)
  • Roundest Chicken – the quest for the most perfectly spherical chook
  • The Legendary Stair Climb – the ultimate poultry showdown
  • Best in Show – your chance to vote for your favourite chicken!
You can find more information about the event here:
Please note: the photo attached below has been enhanced (slightly) using Artificial Intelligence.'

The Sports Corner

Kia ora koutou,

This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator

Tennis Success for Matthew

We’re really proud to share that Matthew from Year 6 was selected to represent Canterbury in the Under-12 squad at the National Teams event during the holidays.

Over four days of competition, the team had a fantastic run and finished as runners-up overall. They had some great wins along the way, including tight 5–4 games against Central and Waikato Bays, a 6–3 win over Northern, and a strong 7–2 victory against Southern.

While Auckland took out the final 3–6, the Canterbury team showed real determination and teamwork throughout the tournament, competing well against some tough opposition.

Primary Sports Canterbury Aquathon

The Aquathon was a fantastic event, with students showing great enthusiasm, determination, and resilience throughout the day. It was awesome to see everyone challenging themselves and supporting one another, creating such a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
A quick shout-out to Samson for his outstanding sportsmanship—encouraging others, showing respect, and being a great role model throughout the event.

PTA News

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Readathon is up and running! 

Hopefully, everyone is keeping up with their Daily Reading Target, finding plenty of books to read or share, and getting a few sponsors.  

And why not try to Stop, Drop, and READ together as a whānau!

Additional forms are available from the office. 

The PTA will be at school from Monday, 11th May, to collect sponsorship forms and present a new bookmark to each Reader. 

Book Character Day

On Friday, 15th May, it’s Book Character Day - come to school dressed as your favourite book character!!

PTA Secondhand Uniform Room Hours

The PTA Uniform room is open on Mondays from 2:45 - 3:15pm and on Fridays from 8:45 - 9:15am.

The uniforms are all very reasonably priced, and with the colder weather now here, check to make sure you have a fleece or sweatshirt for your child.

You can pay by cash in the uniform room or by EFTPOS at the office.

BOT Update

Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Community Notices

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

Girls Rugby “Have a Go” Festival Day Sunday 3 May

This fun, girls‑only morning is all about giving rugby a go, building confidence, and having fun with friends in a supportive environment. No previous rugby experience is required.

Event Details
  • Date: Sunday 3 May
  • Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm (approximately)
  • Venue: Burnside Rugby Football Club
 Who Is It For?
This event is open to girls from Rip grade through to Year 8, including:
  • Girls who are brand new to rugby and want to have a go
  • Girls who want to try tackle rugby or build confidence with new skills
  • Current tackle players
  • Rippa players who just want to play, connect, and have some fun
Girls will be grouped by age and experience, so everyone feels comfortable and supported.

What to Expect
  • Fun skill‑based activities
  • Optional contact and tackle‑style sessions (age‑appropriate)
  • Games and “have‑a‑go” opportunities
  • A mini festival atmosphere with plenty of encouragement
  • Support with connecting players to local clubs for future opportunities
We’re also hoping to finish the morning with a BBQ.

How to Register
Register using the link below:

After School Climbing Club - 5-8 Year old Classes

This term, Boulder Co. Climbing Gym is launching a brand new afterschool bouldering class for 5–8 year olds.

Bouldering is a fantastic activity for young children. It builds:
• Physical strength, coordination, and body awareness
• Confidence and resilience - every problem solved is a genuine achievement
• Problem-solving and focus - kids learn to read a route and think creatively
• Social skills in a supportive and non-competitive environment
• A love of movement that carries well beyond the bouldering gym

2026 Term 2 dates for the 5-8yr old classes:
Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm starting 21st April. Running for 11 weeks.

No experience is needed - our experienced coaches welcome complete beginners and work at every child's own pace in a safe, purpose-built environment. We keep the prices as affordable as possible with options available for non-members and members.

We already run established term programmes for 9-12 year olds and 13-17 year olds, and we're thrilled to now be able to cater to our youngest climbers too. 
Full details on all classes, including days, times, and how to book can be found linked here.