Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 17 February 2023

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Our thoughts are with the people of those North Island communities who have been devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle. I know that many of you will have whānau, friends or colleagues impacted. Expect to hear something in next week's newsletter about some action that we can take to show our support to schools in the impacted areas.

Our thoughts are also with the Turkish community as the scale of the devastation from their earthquakes continues to grow. Those of us who experienced the Canterbury earthquakes understand some of the sense of helplessness and loss that is felt when a natural disaster strikes at the heart of a community. 

Reminder: Early Finish on Thursday 2nd March - please fill in the survey link below (if you haven't already done this)

As you may be aware, the teachers' union, NZEI, are still in negotiations with the Ministry of Education around a new collective agreement. There is going to be a paid union meeting that all union members are expected to attend, on the afternoon of Thursday 2nd March. As the vast majority of our teachers belong to the union, we need to stop classes at 1pm on this day.
If you are NOT able to arrange for your children to be collected at 1pm on Thursday 2nd March, we will arrange supervision here at school. If your child normally attends BOSCO on a Thursday, we will make sure they get to BOSCO as usual.

EVERY FAMILY needs to fill in this survey, please, to let us know what your plan is for this day so that we know where every child is going to be at 1pm, and we can plan adequate supervision for those who need to stay at school.

Reminder: 2023 Whānau feedback on reporting through Hero

During 2022 student reports were provided to whānau through Hero. As this is a new process for our school community, we would appreciate your feedback as we look for ways to improve the experience.

We would appreciate it if you would be able to take a few minutes to complete this survey (click here).

If you are new to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in 2023 there is no need to complete the survey.

We will be closing reports for viewing from Monday morning. This is to allow teachers to begin to update student records. They will be opened again when mid-year reports are ready in Week 6 of Term 2.

Request for Annual Donation

Today you will have received an email requesting your contribution in the form of an annual donation.
If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or wish to find out more about the school donation or setting up payment instalments, you can refer to our website https://www.beckenham.school.nz/ and follow the “Finances and Annual Donation” link in the “Information” dropdown menu. You will also find information on applying for Donation Tax Credits from the IRD on this page. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Receipts for donations payments (including camp donations) made to us before 31st March this year, can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.

If you have a student in Year 7 or 8, a Camp donation request will be going onto your account next week and the Year 5 & 6 Camp donation request will be added in a few weeks time. If you have chosen to pay your donations in instalments over the year, please consider increasing these to allow for the cost of camp.

We greatly appreciate all contributions you are able to make towards donations. These go a long way towards providing a rich and diverse programme for our tamariki.

Payments may be made in part or full to the school bank account -

ASB Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board of Trustees 12 3148 0131641 000 using the child's name as a reference. The school office also has Eftpos facilities available.

If you have any queries, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz


Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)
Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)
Mon 27 Feb - Year 5-8 Swimming Sports - Wharenui Pool 12:30-2:30pm
Thu 2 Mar - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings
Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week
Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui
Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool
Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1
Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Term 2

Mon 24 Apr - Staff Only Day (School closed)
Tue 25 Apr - ANZAC Day (School closed)
Wed 26 Apr - First day of Term 2
Mon 1 - Wed 3 May - Year 5/6 Camp - Living Springs
Mon 5 Jun - King's Birthday (School closed)
Fri 30 Jun - Last day of Term 2Continue reading→

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 10 February 2023

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We are all getting back into the rhythm of school again. With two short weeks now behind us, we can see lots of great routines being established by tamariki (children), whānau (families), and kaiamahi (staff) around getting to school, being at school, and managing a Monday-Friday school pattern again.

Being in a 'House' at our school...

We have four Houses at Beckenham, and each child is put into a House when they start at school. Children who are part of the same family are put into the same house, and they usually stay in that house for all the years they are at Beckenham. All of our new students have now been allocated a House. If you are not sure which house your child is in, please contact Jacky or Reihana at the office.

House Shirts: Fisher, Waimea, Heathcote and Tennyson

We have a House Shirt as an optional part of our school uniform. The House shirt can be worn every Friday, and on days when there are going to be House activities such as 'House Games', Athletic Sports, Cross Country etc. On other days, regular, red school tops should be worn. House shirts are able to be purchased through the office for $25 each.

Each house has four senior students who lead the house - two House Captains and two Deputy House Captains. During the year, we have different events where children compete or participate in activities in Houses. The House Captains and Deputies often run these events. At our Celebration Assembly this week, our House Captains and Deputies were introduced.

Early Finish on Thursday 2nd March - please fill in the survey link below

As you may be aware, the teachers' union, NZEI, are still in negotiations with the Ministry of Education around a new collective agreement. There is going to be a paid union meeting that all union members are expected to attend, on the afternoon of Thursday 2nd March. As the vast majority of our teachers belong to the union, we need to stop classes at 1pm on this day.
If you are NOT able to arrange for your children to be collected at 1pm on Thursday 2nd March, we will arrange supervision here at school. If your child normally attends BOSCO on a Thursday, we will make sure they get to BOSCO as usual.

EVERY FAMILY needs to fill in this survey, please, to let us know what your plan is for this day so that we know where every child is going to be at 1pm, and we can plan adequate supervision for those who need to stay at school.

Laura and Baby Max

Congratulations to Laura Williamson and her partner Steve on the birth of baby Max at the end of November last year. Some of our staff and students had the pleasure of meeting Max when Laura popped into school for morning tea last week.

2023 Whānau feedback on reporting through Hero



During 2022 student reports were provided to whānau through Hero. As this is a new process for our school community, we would appreciate your feedback as we look for ways to improve the experience.

We would appreciate it if you would be able to take a few minutes to complete this survey (click here).

If you are new to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in 2023 there is no need to complete the survey.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki (Principal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)
Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)
Mon 27 Feb - Year 5-8 Swimming Sports - Wharenui Pool 12:30-2:30pm
Thu 2 Mar - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings
Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week
Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui
Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool
Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1
Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Term 2

Mon 24 Apr - Staff Only Day (School closed)
Tue 25 Apr - ANZAC Day (School closed)
Wed 26 Apr - First day of Term 2
Mon 1 - Wed 3 May - Year 5/6 Camp - Living Springs
Mon 5 Jun - King's Birthday (School closed)
Fri 30 Jun - Last day of Term 2Continue reading→

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 3 February 2022

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora and Assalam alaykum

Last week, during one of our Staff Only Days, our staff and one of our board members were extremely fortunate to participate in some professional development designed to increase our understanding of Islam so that we can better support our Muslim ākonga (learners) and their whānau. Alongside the session at school, our staff also had the opportunity to visit the Al Noor Mosque. Being culturally competent is an important part of our work, and when we participate in any new learning, we always seek to find broader principles of understanding, including how having faith of any kind can be an important pillar of whānau values.


This morning we welcomed all of our new tamariki and their whānau to our school with our start-of-term Welcome Assembly. 



This would have to have been one of the biggest groups we have welcomed for a long time, with the broadest range of cultural diversity in its make-up. This was evidenced by the 17 flags that were brought in to represent the different cultural backgrounds of our new whānau. We feel incredibly lucky to be able to welcome and be part of such a diverse community.

Reminder to all whānau that Monday the 6th of February is a public holiday and school is closed. We look forward to seeing you all back again on Tuesday.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki (Principal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Mon 6 Feb - Waitangi Day (Kura Closed)
Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)
Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)
Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week
Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui
Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1
Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (Kura closed)

Term 2

Mon 24 Apr - Staff Only Day (Kura closed)
Tue 25 Apr - ANZAC Day (Kura closed)
Wed 26 Apr - First day of Term 2
Mon 1 - Wed 3 May - Year 5/6 Camp - Living Springs
Continue reading→

Start of 2023 – Whole School Newsletter

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

A Happy New Year to you all!

Less than a week to go and school will be starting again, with Learning Conferences on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st Feb, followed by classes starting on Thursday 2nd February.

There is some key information noted below to ensure a smooth start to the year for all:

Learning Conferences - Please book yours now if you haven't done so already.

Each child needs to have a learning conference with you and their teacher for 2023 on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. You need to book a 30min time with your child and their teacher by going to 
www.schoolinterviews.org.nz/code and entering the code f69qr
If you need assistance with booking, please call the office on Thursday morning or during the day on Friday and someone will be able to assist you.

Cyber Safety and BYOD Agreements

To help keep students and our technology safe, we ask that all students and caregivers review and complete the Cyber Safety Agreement each year.

Please read through and complete the 2023 Cyber Safety Agreement with your child/children, explaining it at a level that is appropriate for them. If you are unable to complete the form online, a paper version will be available during learning conferences. Please ensure the (digital or paper) form is completed and returned before the first day of classes.

If your child is in Year 5-8 and will be bringing their own device to school for learning, please also read through and complete the 2023 Bring Your Own Device Agreement with your child/children. A paper version will also be available at Learning Conferences, if required. Please complete and return the (digital or paper) BYOD form before the first day of classes.

Stationery 

If you haven't yet organised stationery, or can't locate the list, you can find the stationery lists here, on the school website. Please only name those items that the list asks to be named.

Sunhat and Drink Bottle

It is important that every child starts school with a named sunhat and water bottle. Sunhats are compulsory when outside during Terms 1 and 4.


Uniform

Please find information about the school uniform here.
The PTA will be opening the Uniform shop at the following times next week:
Opening times next week: 
Tuesday 31st January 2pm to 3pm
Wednesday 1st February 8.45am to 10am
During Term 1 2023: 
Tuesday afternoon 2.45 to 3.15pm
Friday morning 8.45 to 9.15am

They would love to have more donations of uniform items that are no longer needed, and are always looking for people who could help out at the uniform shop. Please contact pta@beckenham.school.nz if you can offer assistance.

Welcome Assembly - Friday 3 February 9:15am

This is a very special assembly where we welcome everyone back to school, and particularly welcome our new students and their whānau. Families are welcome to attend, and a very special welcome goes out to the families of our new students (including those who started after Week 1 of Term 4 last year). Our PTA will have a cup of tea or coffee available in the hall foyer from 8:45 - 9:15am, After which the assembly will take place. This lasts about 20mins. 


Medication at school?

If your child needs to have any medication held and /or administered at school, we will need you to come into the office and sign a plan for us to do that. A good time to do this is when you come in for your learning conference. ALL medication plans need to be re-signed for the new year. 



Transiton to a new school year...

Finally - by clicking on the document attached to this email, you can scroll through a visual document about the school, and meet all of the staff for 2023.  This will be especially helpful for some of our younger children, and for children who are new to the school or those moving into a new team.

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 31 January - Learning Conferences

Wednesday 1 February - Learning Conferences

Thursday 2 February - School starts, 8:55am

Friday 3 February - cuppa (from 8:45am) followed by Welcome Assembly (9:15am)

Term Dates

Click here to view 2023 term dates.

We are all looking forward to seeing you again next week!

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 9 December 2022

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

...and the final school week of the year is upon us!

It was a wonderful celebration of achievements at our Final Celebration Assembly today. Congratulations to all of the tamariki who were presented with certificates and awards. 
Special congratulations to Lola Harris for being awarded the Leadership Award, and to Cleo Hopkinson for the Norman Kirk Memorial Prize for Citizenship.

We also farewelled the staff who are leaving at the end of this year.
Caitlin Worsfold is moving to Ashburton where she has won a position at Ashburton Intermediate.
Emma Hayes-Smith will be taking on further study, and we hope to see her back as a reliever if she has some spare days!
Kal Walker is moving to Australia to be closer to family.
Emma Glass (Ferndale) has won a new position at South New Brighton School
Gail Beedles (Ferndale) is moving to be at the Ferndale Haeata campus
Nicola Reddicliffe, Jan Malcolm and Tracey Maloney have all had fixed-term positions this year and these are about to end. We hope to see them back in 2023 either in a relieving capacity, or in fixed-term positions if they become available.


On Thursday this coming week, all of our students will be told who their teacher will be for 2023. Following that, each new 2023 home group will spend some time, together with their new teacher, getting to know one another. 

We are looking forward to having our two new teachers, Thomas Woodfield and Bridie Arifeh, visit this Monday, to participate in a Year 7/8 planning meeting. We will make sure that they are introduced to the Year 6 and Year 7 students whilst they are here, as they won't be at Beckenham when tamariki meet their teachers on the final day of school.

On Thursday, each child will be given a letter for you that tells you about their home group for 2023, has information on it about booking a learning conference with their 2023 teacher, and will have a stationery list attached.

If your child is not at school on Thursday for any reason, this information will be emailed to you.

Our office will be closed from 1pm on Thursday for the rest of the afternoon. The office will reopen on Friday for the day, before closing at 3pm for the summer break. There will be staff at school from Tuesday 24th January, and the office will re-open properly again on Thursday 26th January.

Learning Conferences will be held on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February, with classes starting on Thursday 2nd February.

Farewell to our Current Board of Trustees Presiding Member - Matthew Macdonald

Matthew Macdonald, who has had a 16 year association with the school, has handed in his resignation as a board member, effective from the eve of the first Board meeting of 2023 as he will no longer have any children at the school. We are extremely grateful for the service that he has given to our board, initially as a trustee, and then as our Presiding Member (Chair).
This leaves a casual vacancy on the Board, which the board have resolved to fill by selection. 
Please see the official notice about this below:

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board 
Casual vacancy for a parent representative

A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative.
The board has decided to fill the vacancy by selection.
If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.
Request for a by-election should be sent to:
Matthew Macdonald email: matthew@corehomes.co.nz
Presiding member (chair) 
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board
by 7 January 2023 


Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki / Principal

Important Dates

Wed 14 Dec - Year 8 Leavers Graduation - 11am - 12noon, followed by Leavers' Lunch
Thu 15 Dec - Last day of Term 4 - School closes at 12:30pm

Term Dates

Citizen of the Week

Isabella Guise - Year 6

Isabella, you are a calm, hardworking, and self-managing learner. You show all our kete values daily and consistently demonstrate a positive attitude in all you do. You willingly help around the hub when you see a need and this is very much appreciated. Ka rawe, Isabella.

School Notices

Free Period Products

The Ministry of Education provides period products free to schools to ensure that tamariki do not miss school as a result of not having these products available. Your child can access these at any time, and is welcome to take a supply home for the holidays. They can come to the office and speak to any of the staff, or you can come in for them. They can also speak to one of the staff in the Year 5/6 or Year 7/8 team. This offer includes both sanitary pads and tampons.

Missing Scooter

This scooter belonging to one of our tamariki went missing from the Sandwich Road bike stand on Thursday the 3rd of November and it hasn't turned up yet - maybe someone took it home by mistake?

We have a whānau keen to see it returned, so if you could please take the time to check your child's scooter and ensure it hasn't been mixed up, it would be much appreciated. If you do find it or have any information please get in touch with the Office.

Library Books and Sport Uniforms

We need your assistance to ensure the return of all sports uniforms and library books before school closes for the year. All sports tops need be returned before Thursday. Each top has a $30 replacement cost. 

Congratulations to...

Keanna Hakeagaiki who has recently come 6th in New Zealand for her weight division in weightlifting. An awesome achievement Keanna! Ka rawe!


Marching award

This past weekend after months of preparation Cammie Inglis and Hayley Rose Ruyters competed in the South Island Marching Championship where their team won First under 12 Technical Team and 3rd under 12 Display Team. These combined totals rewarded the team 1st = Champion Under 12 Marching Team.

Attached is a team photo where there are some more familiar faces with both Jayde and Isabelle Inglis past students in the team too.

PTA News

Community Notices

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

A list of helpful go-to places and websites to support tamariki and whānau in getting the right support:

Community Helplines

1737 - free text and phone counseling 24/7 
Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234 
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 269 4389
What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (5–18-year-olds).
thelowdown.co.nz –or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
 
Emotional Regulation:
Feel Brave: Feel brave creates content (books and videos) that helps children manage tough
emotions and reach their creative potential. It was founded by Avril McDonald who is the
author of the award-winning, best-selling Feel Brave series of books which have been translated
into seven different languages and are used and loved all over the world.

Enabling Youth: works with at risk Youth/Rangatahi and young people between 11 and 30 years
of age (Christchurch and North Canterbury) and 12 - 18 (South Canterbury). The "Getting it
Together", programme involves 10 - 15 sessions. The individualised programme operates each
week, with face-to-face sessions and supported learning, while young people are engaged in the
programme. Participants are supported or expected to practice their learning throughout the
week and review their progress with their tutor/clinician at the next session. Tutors/clinicians
are available throughout the week to assist the young people and their whanāu. Some key
challenges Enabling Youth target self-esteem, regulating emotions and behaviours, relationship
management, coping with grief and loss, problem solving and life skills. https://www.enablingyouth.co.nz/

Christchurch Methodist Mission: Work with Adults, Parents, Whānau (mmsi.org.nz)

Kidz need Dadz: Separation or Oranga Tamariki issues, e.g. access to their children. Fatherhood
courses. Anger management courses. Whānau dispute resolution mediation. Emotional and
practical support: for at-home, teen, expectant, and solo dads; with depression, grief, loss,
separation anxiety; for fathers of special needs children. Website: https://www.kidzneeddadz.org.nz/

Pillars: Support for children of prisoners https://www.pillars.org.nz/

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Grandparents Raising Grandkids: https://www.grg.org.nz/