Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 24 September 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora e te whānau

We look forward to Daylight Saving beginning this weekend, and the start of longer, (and we hope) warmer days as we head into the holidays at the end of next week. Please check your alarms and clocks on Sunday night so that everyone is on time for school on Monday!
Daylight saving begins when clocks at 2am go forward by 1 hour to 3am on 26 September 2021.

Home groups for 2022

We will soon be starting to look at the organisation of home groups for 2022. We have not yet finalised which teachers will be teaching in which teams, and, as always, there is likely to be a small amount of movement. We have a highly competent and dedicated staff, who work extremely collaboratively together and we are confident that all of our teachers are able to work successfully with all of our tamariki. Because of that, we do not engage in discussions with whānau about 'choosing teachers'. If you have information you want to share with me about any specific needs you want us to be aware of in relation to your child's emotional and social wellbeing, please email me directly at principal@beckenham.school.nz. We will add your thoughts to the wider information that we consider as we make up homegroups.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 10:
Fri 01 Oct - Last day of Term 3
Fri 01 Oct - Celebration Assembly (if we are at Level 1 - 12-12.30pm)

Term 4

Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau)

Week 2:
Mon 25 Oct - Labour Day (School Closed)
Tue 26 Oct - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Wed 27 Oct - PTA Meeting ( 7.30 - 9.30pm )
Sun 31 Oct - PTA - Halloween Picnic in the Park

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 and 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Andi Green - Year 8

Andi, you are such a compassionate and caring person. You have made many positive gains in your two years in the Kauri hub. Your peers look up to you and when you smile, the room lights up. You have put so much effort into your learning this year and this is reflected in the tasks that you accomplish. Pai ki a koe Andi!

School Notices

Sunhats will be needed again next term

Please remember to hunt out your child's school sunhat in readiness for Term 4. Your child will need a named, plain red or black, bucket or wide-brimmed hat every day next term.



Dental Care during the School Holidays


The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays.  The clinics will offer check-ups, treatment and relief of pain sessions by appointment only.   To make an appointment please call/email our Contact Centre which operates between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the holidays.

The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:
  • Northcote Clinic, 24, Tuckers Road, Casebrook,

  • Hillmorton Clinic, Hillmorton Hospital, Sylvan Street
The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.15pm for school age and preschool children.  If your child has dental pain because of an accident, please contact your dentist in the first instance.

To book an appointment at one of our clinics please:

Call 0800 846 983

Mental Health Awareness Week 27 Sep - 3 Oct

Here are some questions that are designed to help your tamariki and rangatahi (children, and young people) have a kōrero about the different things that make them feel good.
  • What do you like to eat to give your body energy? 
  • What activities make you feel calm?
  • What is your favourite song?
  • What's your favourite animal?
  • What activities do you like to do to move your body?
  • What is a favourite whānau memory that you have?
  • Where is your favourite place to visit with your whānau?
  • What is something that makes you smile?

ESOL Update

Lately, some of the ESOL students have been sequencing and re- telling the story of The Three Little Pigs.


Koru and Kahikatea groups have been busy weeding the raised gardens ready to do some planting.



The Kōwhai group welcomed some special visitors...some extra cute wee spring lambs. The children also completed Spring artworks.

2022 New Entrant Enrolments

Do you, or one of your neighbours, have a pre-schooler turning five in 2022?
Are they enrolled in a school yet? If not, please contact us (or your local school) about enrolment asap. It helps schools significantly with their staffing and planning if we know in advance who to expect at school the following year!
You can find enrolment information and forms on our website.
https://www.beckenham.school.nz/index.php/enrolment/enrolling

Ministry of Education - Gifted Learner Awards

The deadline for Gifted Learner Award applications has been extended to 4pm on 30 September 2021, due to the changes in Alert Levels.

WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT? 
The Gifted Learner Awards can be used to challenge learners to try something new, or extend them in areas they're already involved in and passionate about.


Applicants can include tamariki in early learning through to high school students.

Applications can be for an individual or a group of learners, and can provide funding of up to $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per group (to be used within a 12-month period).

APPLY TODAY:

Congratulations to...

Sophie, Sophie, Tabea and Heidi who shaved their heads for Child Cancer - and donated the hair to Wigs for Cancer as well!
They have raised over $2000 so far, and you can still contribute to their Child Cancer Fundraiser by clicking here: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/sophie-sophie-heidi-and-tabeas-child-cancer

PTA News

Readathon

A very very big thank you for those of you whom returned cards and money this week. We really appreciate you supporting this fundraiser.

A grand total of $4230.80 was raised this year!

Listen out at assembly next week to see if your name is drawn out for a Whitcoulls voucher. 

Picnic in the Park

Family Picnic in the park on the 31st of October! We did have our ever-popular quiz scheduled for the 30th, but due to COVID uncertainty, we have decided to change it from a fundraiser into a BYO picnic in the park on Sunday 31st. More details will follow soon!

Calendar Art

Keep your eye out for our Calendar Art Fundraiser. The students have been busy creating masterpieces, which are soon to be turned into easy Christmas gifts! We are hoping to be able to open orders before the end of term - watch this space (and your children’s bags).

With thanks from your PTA

Community Notices

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

Rollickin' School Holiday Kids Gelato Class



The classes cater for 8-12 year olds & we share all our gelato making top tips & secrets.

There’ll be a little info session, part science lesson, a video, hokey pokey smashin’, chocolate drippin’, gelato whippin’, gelato taste testing, colouring in and a Free Scoop gift card for their next time visit. Promise lots of lickin laughs.

There’s 10 weekday classes during the school holidays:
Monday 4th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday 5th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday 6th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Thursday 7th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Friday 8th October 11:30am-12:30pm

Monday 11th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday 12th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday 13th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Thursday 14th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Friday 15th October 11:30am-12:30pm

How to book a ticket? 
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/kids-gelato-classes-at-cashel-st-8-12-years-tickets-173126735727?aff=erelexpmlt
Visit Eventbrite. 
or, simply google “Rollickin Gelato Classes”
Tickets are $35

The Gaia Collection

The Gaia Collection is a YES business that wants to help protect and spread awareness about New Zealand’s wildlife. They have created a unique line of wooden earrings in the shape of some of this endangered wildlife with $5 from every pair sold going towards Forest and Bird’s Fairy Tern Project. 

To make a further impact, they have created the Community Collection Challenge. An event running from 11th-17th October, where they are challenging all New Zealanders to clean up  their communities. You can register to be apart for $5pp with all proceeds going towards Forest and Bird's Fairy Tern Project. 

For more information about The Gaia Collection head to their website https://thegaiacollection.mystorbie.com  and for more information about the Community Collection Challenge and how to register head to the “CCC” page. 

Draw Like an Artist

The "Draw Like an Artist" camp will be held at St Margaret's College during the school holidays, starting on Tuesday October 12th and running until Thursday October 14th.
The camp is ideal for young people who have a dream of becoming a published illustrator or anyone who wants to improve their artistic skills.

The camp is non-residential, and runs from 9am to 4pm each day.
The course fee is $195.00, which includes a discount for early registration.
The number of places on the camp is strictly limited.

For more information go to drawlikeanartist.com.

Thumbelina 

Thumbelina is a beloved tale from Hans Christian Anderson about a tiny girl, no bigger than a thumb, who slept in a bed made from a walnut shell with a rose petal blanket. The story has been adapted by Jeff Clark into a delightful play that will be performed by the Canterbury Children's Theatre company at the Malthouse Theatre every Saturday and Sunday during the October school holidays. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.malthouse.co.nz 




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 17 September, 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia kaha te reo Māori!

‘Kia kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ we’re saying  - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'. 
This week has been Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) here in Aotearoa and I have been really impressed by how much more te reo Māori I have heard and seen through the media this year than ever before.

At our kura (school), each hub participated in their own way in celebrating and learning more te reo Māori. 
The display below was put up in the Whare Pukapuka (library) by Anne, our amazing librarian. 
Our goal is always to make te reo Māori a language that our tamariki (children) understand and can use with confidence. This is a challenge when none of our staff are fluent in te reo, and there is a shortage of fluent te reo teachers throughout the motu (nation). We have a team of kaiako (teachers) at school who support us to upskill one another and make sure we keep our focus in this kaupapa (matter)!
We encourage you as a whānau (family) to ako (learn) together, and to add te reo Māori into your daily conversations!



It's been a week of fairly cold mornings at the gate this week, so a huge thank-you to our staff who work the entrances every morning. Thank you also to our road patrol team who are there each day, morning and afternoon, making sure we all get across the road safely. We do appreciate that it is tricky not being able to come onto the school site each day and we thank you all for your patience.

Enrolments for 2022



Do you, or one of your neighbours, have a pre-schooler turning five during 2022? 
Are they enrolled yet? If not, please contact Jacky in the office about enrolment as soon as possible. It helps us significantly with our staffing and planning if we know in advance who to expect at school the following year! 
You can find enrolment information and forms here on our website.

​Toys and trading cards at school

We have noticed an increase in children bringing both toys, and trading cards (especially Pokemon cards) to school recently. We know that all of these items are extremely precious and that if they get lost, or accidentally given away or misplaced, it causes very real distress.

Our policy ​has always been to ask that toys (including trading cards) are left at home. 

Whilst we are at Level 2, please don't bring the trading cards to the gate for your child to trade at 3pm, as this is causing quite a lot of additional congestion at the gate which is already very busy. Thanks for your support of this.



Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki (Princpal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 10:
Fri 01 Oct - Last day of Term 3
Fri 01 Oct - Celebration Assembly (if we are at Level 1 - 12-12.30pm)
Term 4
Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau)
Week 2:
Mon 25 Oct - Labour Day (School Closed)
Tue 26 Oct - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Wed 27 Oct - PTA Meeting ( 7.30 - 9.30pm )
Sun 31 Oct - PTA - Halloween Picnic in the Park

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Cahlen Stace - Year 6

Cahlen, your enthusiasm for learning is second to none! You share your excellent general knowledge and well-thought-out ideas with others in a positive manner. Your exuberance is infectious. Cahlen, you take action when the need arises and this helps the whole hub tick along. Tino pai rawa atu to mahi!

PTA News

Lockdown is over and the PTA is back!

The Readathon has been a bit disjointed thanks to COVID, but let's start where we left off! We will be at the main gate on Sandwich Rd every day next week collecting any cards that have been completed or money you still have to donate. We will have cool bookmarks to give in return.


We will still run the popular prize draw at the assembly on Friday 24th September. Everyone who did the reading goes into the draw, so let one of us at the gate know if you lost the card or donated online, alternatively email pta@beckenham.school.nz or message us on Facebook.

We won't be having the book character dress-up day but there will be a chance to dress up at our Family Picnic in the park on the 31st of October! We did have our ever-popular quiz scheduled for the 30th, but due to COVID uncertainty, we have decided to change it from a fundraiser into a BYO picnic in the park on Sunday 31st. More details will follow soon!

Finally: keep your eye out for our Calendar Art Fundraiser. The students have been busy creating masterpieces, which are soon to be turned into easy Christmas gifts! We are hoping to be able to open orders before the end of term - watch this space (and your children’s bags).

School Notices

Kōwhai miniball T4 2021



If your Year 3/4 child is keen to play Miniball at the Pioneer Stadium inter-school competition next term, please click on this link for more information and register their interest by next Friday 24th September.

NZ Mental Health Awareness 

Next week is NZ's mental health awareness week, 27 September - 3rd October.
This year, the focus is on making time to kōrero through our joys and challenges. Talk with your children about the benefits of talking through problems, and who they might go to.
More resources, ideas and stories are featured here online. 



The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation.

When all these things are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted. 


The parts of the wharenui:

TAHA WHĀNAU

Taha whānau is the people we care about, who recharge us and make us feel we belong. Whānau isn’t just our immediate relatives. It includes our friends, hoamahi/colleagues, iwi or community – the people who are close to our hearts. 

TAHA WAIRUA 

Taha wairua is about taking notice and appreciating the beauty around us. It’s about rediscovering things that make us feel awe, hope, strength, unity and connection. For some, wairua is faith or a higher power. Sometimes our wairua isn’t strong and we encourage you to think about what wairua means to you and ways to strengthen it. When your wairua is strong, it’s easier to feel good, cope with challenges and build strong whānau relationships.

TAHA TINANA 

Taha tinana is about how your body feels and how you care for it. Refuelling your body helps you to feel mentally well. Sometimes your tinana might not be where you’d like it to be and this might be beyond your control. What’s important is that you do what you can to nurture it.

TAHA HINENGARO 

Taha hinengaro is your mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings. Just like your physical health, your hinengaro needs to be nurtured. Hinengaro is what you do to stimulate and refresh your mind so you can better cope with the ups and downs of life.

WHENUA 

Whenua is our connection to the land. It’s soil, plants, animals and people – tangata whenua. It’s the earth through which you are connected to your tūpuna/ancestors. Whenua is a place of belonging and it’s comforting that it is never too far away.

Update from Scholastic

"Scholastic New Zealand’s Auckland warehouse is currently closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
 
We have received a number of queries from schools and parents enquiring as to the status of their orders. Due to the lockdown, we have a number of unfulfilled orders stuck in our warehouse. As books are deemed non-essential items, we are not able to operate and ship any of these orders to school or homes.
 
I’m sure that you will understand that this situation is beyond our control, as it is for many New Zealand organisations and we thank you for your patience and understanding.  

Rest assured, we will be prioritising these orders as soon as Auckland reaches level 3 and our fantastic team gets back to our warehouse. Auckland orders will be dispatched to schools as soon as Auckland reaches level 2 and students return to in-person learning.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions related to your order please email bookclub@scholastic.co.nz. Our Customer Services Team are working from home and will reply to your email with an update as soon as they are able to.
 
Please stay safe during the lockdown.
 
The Scholastic Team"

BOSCO

BOSCO’s October Holiday Programme is now open for bookings. We are very excited about the variety of crafts, baking and sport activities we have planned these holidays. We will also be visiting Ferrymead and playing a fantastic round of minigolf at Caddyshack. Pony Parties will bring their amazing animals to visit us and the boys from Cheapskate Skateskool are ready to come and teach us a few tricks again! We have limited spaces available so email Juanita now at office@bosco.org.nz to find out more or make a booking online via Aimy Plus.

Community Notices

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

Bush Farm Education

https://www.bushfarm.org.nz/our-programme-offerings

CodeCamp

CodeCamp allows kids from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment. Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Creating games, websites and apps as well as robotics.

4th - 8th October 

Learn to Sail

This Learn to Sail program based out of Naval Point Club Lyttelton, is a 10 week course that will teach children aged 8 +  how to sail and the basic principle of the sport

The Program starts on Saturday the 25th of September with the option to sail either on a Saturday or a Sunday morning from 9 – 12

The program come’s at a cost of $150 for the 10 weeks and this includes boat hire.

A wetsuit, warm clothes that will get wet and a lifejacket are necessary

For further details and registration please go to

Learn to Sail Level 1 & 2 - Oct-Dec 2021 (Saturday's) - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

Learn to Sail Level 1 & 2 - Oct-Dec 2021 (Sunday's) - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

Or email: sailing@navalpoint.co.nz

We also have on offer our school program running from the 11th – 14th of October for anyone who wants to give sailing a try

School Holiday Sailing Camp - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

 Write Like an Author - Holiday Writing Camp

Learn to write stories like a published author, with a published author!

Write Like an Author is the internationally acclaimed writing course for students aged 8-14 that shows you how to write stories the way authors do.

On a three-day, school holiday writing camp, award-winning author Maria GIll will take you on a journey of fun and discovery, learning how to create, develop and write awesome stories, guiding you every step of the way.

The course has been developed by international award winning author and writing coach Brian Falkner and proven for over a decade in classrooms in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

The cost of the three day camp is $195 at the early-bird price.

https://www.writelikeanauthor.com/



Act2 Drama Group Auditions

Studio One Performing Arts

Your local dance school, is currently giving Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary lessons in your area. The school’s director is teacher, choreographer & ex-ballet dancer Patricia Paul A.R.A.D. (London). Ballet lessons from 3 years through to Advanced, and all levels in Jazz and Contemporary starting from age 7. For all enquiries please phone 372-9191 or email info@studioone.co.nz

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 10 September, 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We were so thrilled to see all the children back at school yesterday and today. In fact, yesterday we only had 17 children absent out of 508 - a better attendance rate than usual for this time of the year! We had seven new children start school yesterday and today - a very special welcome to them, and their whānau.

Thank you to all of our whānau who have supported the dropping off and collecting of children at the gate each day. This will continue whilst we are at Level 2. The children were well prepared yesterday and even our newest students managed this very successfully. As of today, all of the Chromebooks that we loaned out have been returned - thank you very much for that.

Whilst we can't have whānau on site at the moment, it doesn't mean that you can't talk with your child's teachers. If you would like to talk to a teacher, please email the teacher or email the office (office@beckenham.school.nz) and they will be happy to call you back.

With only three weeks left of this term, teachers will be doing quite a bit of assessment over the next three weeks, in preparation for report writing from the start of Term 4. We expect to have reports out to you (via HERO for the first time) at the end of Week 5, and we will be offering Learning Conferences during Week 6 (23rd and 25th November).

Best wishes for the first weekend at Level 2 - whatever that allows you and your family to do!
Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 8:
Thu 16 Sep - Board of Trustees' meeting (5.30 - 7.30pm)

Week 9:
Wed 22 Sep - PTA meeting (7.30 - 9.30pm)

Week 10:
Fri 01 Oct - Last day of Term 3
Fri 01 Oct - Celebration Assembly (if we are at Level 1 - 12-12.30pm)

Term 4

Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau)

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Poppy Holton - Year 3

Poppy, you are an enthusiastic learner. You always show initiative and are willing to give it a go with everything you have been asked to do. You are also kind and caring to other members of Kōwhai hub as you make sure no one ever feels left out. We are so delighted to have you in Kōwhai this year, ka rawe!

School Notices

Lunch Ordering


Community Dental Van



Ministry of Education - Gifted Learner Awards

WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT? 
The Gifted Learner Awards can be used to challenge learners to try something new, or extend them in areas they're already involved in and passionate about.
Applicants can include tamariki in early learning through to high school students. 
Applications can be for an individual or a group of learners, and can provide funding of up to $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per group (to be used within a 12-month period). 
APPLY TODAY: (Applications close at 4pm on 30 September 2021)

It's Māori Language Week next week!

Huatau | Ideas
Click this link to see some things you can do for your Māori Language Moment. It could be as easy as greeting everyone you see with 'kia ora', starting your Zoom call with "mōrena", or playing te reo Māori songs in your workplace all day. How you do it is up to you, but you can get started with some ideas linked here! (https://www.reomaori.co.nz/ideas)

Community Notices

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

Beckenham Tennis Club

Action Sports Summer Season


If anyone has any questions about Indoor Netball or Indoor Football, they can contact ACTION on:

Ph 03-366 6601
Email: football@actionindoorsports.com

Saint Albans Cricket Club 

I am Hope - Events coming up 

The Gumboot army is anyone who would like to raise money for Gumboot Friday – I am Hope charity.

Gumboot Friday – I am Hope is a charity started by Mike King, to raise money for counselling sessions for the tamariki of Aotearoa, aged 4-24 years old.

More information on this charity can be found at https://www.iamhope.org.nz/ 

Sunday 24th October - Little River Family Fun day! “Top town” gumboot competition, food, stalls, raffles and more! Find the event on Facebook at Little River Gumboot day. Two of the activities are design a gumboot and decorate a gumboot. It will be a great outing for everyone! If it doesn’t go ahead due to COVID, all prizes will be raffled and auctioned off on our FB page.

5th November 2021 – Gumboot Friday Take 2! We would love for you to get involved by encouraging your tamariki to wear gumboots and make a donation.

Vegan Expo Christchurch

Haere-Roa (UCSA, 90 Ilam Rd)
10am – 4pm
Sunday, November 7th

Enjoy great vegan food, watch top veggie chefs display their cooking secrets, learn about plant-based living and enjoy celebrating cruelty-free, pro-planet lives with Christchurch’s vegetarian and vegan community. Whether you are vegetarian or not, you will love the variety of foods and entertainment on offer, which includes a special kid’s zone, bouncy castle and activities.

Eftpos and plenty of free parking will be available.

Kids free (12 and under), adults $5 if bought online now (veganexpo.co.nz/christchurch) or $6 on the door.  


Please note: The Expo will only go ahead if we are in Covid-19 alert level 1. If the event has to be cancelled, refunds will be issued to anyone who has purchased tickets. 

Free leaflets and resources (click here).

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 03 September, 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

A shorter than usual newsletter this week, mostly to let you know that we, like most of you, are missing being at school and have all of our fingers and toes crossed that we will be moving to Alert Level 2 soon. 

A very warm welcome to four new families who have had children start during lockdown! A very unusual start for these children, but we hope that they have felt welcomed and we very much look forward to meeting them at school when we move to Alert Level 2
.
We have three bubbles of children learning at school at the moment, with the rest of our tamariki continuing with learning at home. The staff have been really impressed with the engagement of so many children, and enjoy catching up with learning, whether it has been via a group zoom (Years 3-8) or from phone conversations, emails and individual zooms with some whānau.

Communications

Electronic communication has been a critical part of staying connected as a school community through lockdown. From time to time, we send out surveys or quesstions to you that require a response to enable us to plan and prepare at school. 
We are now sending ALL of our communication out via our HERO platform. You can log onto HERO through your internet browser on your home computer, or via the app on your phone or handheld device.


Downloading the HERO app will allow you to have push notifications sent to your phone whenever an important communication is sent out. Search for "HERO by Linc-ed" on the google Playstore or Apple Store.
Once you have downloaded the app, you can log in using your email address as a 'new user' (note that the email address needs to be the one you have given us to use at school.

Stay safe, and stay in touch. You can still call the school via the office cellphone during school hours, or email office@beckenham.school.nz or email any of the staff via their school email (firstname.surname@beckenham.school.nz)

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there...

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Whilst we are working through Alert Levels, confirming dates of upcoming events is not possible. 

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Isla Graham - Year 6

Isla, you have such a passion for learning and we love how you approach new challenges with an open, inquiring mind. Always let this shine, Isla! He taonga te ako, the treasure is learning. Thank you for being a kind, compassionate person who is always thinking of others, and ready to lend a helping hand. Tino pai, Isla!

School Notices

Ministry of Education - Gifted Learner Awards



WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT? 
The Gifted Learner Awards can be used to challenge learners to try something new, or extend them in areas they're already involved in and passionate about.
Applicants can include tamariki in early learning through to high school students. 
Applications can be for an individual or a group of learners, and can provide funding of up to $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per group (to be used within a 12-month period). 
APPLY TODAY: (Applications close at 4pm on 30 September 2021)

Lunchonline in Level 3

Public Health: Everyone aged 12 years and over can now be vaccinated

Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 12 years and over can now book their free COVID-19 vaccination.
  • The Ministry of Health advises that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are necessary to protect each other, our whānau and our community against the Delta variant of the virus.

  • Reservations can be made through bookmyvaccine.nz – when booking appointments remember to stay local and book as close to home as possible.

  • If you have questions or need help booking, call the COVID Vaccination Healthline 0800 28 29 26. 

  • It may be able to book directly at your local general practice, community pharmacy or hauora provider. For more information visit Healthpoint or Karawhiua.

PTA News

Readathon Fundraiser 2021

Well with the Covid lockdown sprung on us this year, our annual Readathon and the money our amazing school of readers usually raise is looking a little different.

Our usual practice of collecting money and offering bookmarks to the children as they return their cards to the PTA hasn't been able to take place.  As we are yet to know when we will return to school and what that may look like, we would love to see all your wonderful donations made online.  Once we are back to school we will look at getting bookmarks distributed out.

Bank accounts details are:

12-3148-0244558-00
Ref - Readathon

A very big thank you from the PTA to those of you who have already sent your money in. 
We hope you are all having a safe lockdown and are all finding moments to lose yourself in a good book.

Extra Learning Spot

'The Rascally Cake' (by Jeanne Willis) 


Dr Murray Gadd Phd, reads 'The Rascally Cake' (by Jeanne Willis). A fun writing lesson primarily for Year 2-6 students, though some Year 7-8 students might enjoy it as well.  This lesson promotes procedural writing, and starts with a book.

'Diary Of A Worm' (by Doreen Cronin)


Dr Murray Gadd PhD, reads "Diary Of A Worm". Another fun writing lesson primarily for Year 2-6 students, though again some Year 7-8 students might enjoy it as well. Every lesson starts with a book.

How the Kiwi Lost its Wings

A shadow puppet performance, based on the story by Alwyn Owen, which tells of how the kiwi came to be the most beloved bird in Aotearoa.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Animated Film

In the internationally acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a tiny caterpillar eats and eats…and eats his way through the week.  Taken from The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories collection. Based on Eric Carle's picture book.  Click here to watch.



Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 27 August, 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

As you will have no doubt heard, we are planned to shift to Alert Level 3from 11:59pm on Tuesday. This means that, from Wednesday, we will be operating at school on a very small scale for those children whose parents must go out of the home to work.

Whilst we are still waiting for more detailed information from the Ministry of Education about the way that we will be required to operate at Level 3, we need you to start thinking about your home and work situation and to let us know if will need your child to come to school during Level 3.

As Jacinda said during the announcement today "Children should only go to school if their parents are required to go to work and there is no other option available."

The flow chart below makes the decision process very clear...


We need EVERY family to fill out the following survey so we can plan our staffing accordingly:

Survey: Alert Level 3: Advising us of your intentions.

We will only have the minimum number of staff at school that we need. 

Learning at Home Website

Hopefully, you have all been able to access and read through the resources on our 'Learning at Home' site (https://learningathome.beckenham.school.nz/) which is linked to our school website.

This website has been designed so that you and your children can select activities from it that are going to be appropriate for your situation. If you don't have access to lots of wifi or devices, there are plenty of 'non-digital' learning options available, particularly for the younger students. Remember that every opportunity to write, to read, or to have a conversation is an opportunity for learning with your child. 

We have loved seeing updates from whānau showing the many fun and exciting things you have been learning and doing while in lockdown!
We have made some layout changes to the Learning at Home Website based on some feedback we have had. To find the learning activities for your child's team, you can now scroll down the page and find a large link for each team.

Non-digital learning at home

Given we are going to be at least another week in lockdown, you might want to take some time over the weekend to look at the Learning at Home website and think about what activities you are going to support your younger children with next week. Supermarkets have usually got felt pens, coloured pencils, exercise books, jotter pads and cellotape in stock, so it may be worthwhile popping some of these items into your shopping over the weekend! 


Borrowing a school Chromebook for learning at home

A small number of families let us know that they would like to borrow a school Chromebook for their child to use when learning at home. These were issued last week.
If you are finding that your child would benefit from borrowing a school device, we will be able to loan some more early next week. Please complete this form to let us know you would like to borrow a school Chromebook: Borrowing School Chromebooks Survey


Reminder - School Grounds are closed at Level 4

Please remember that the school grounds, including the playground and basketball courts, are closed at Alert Level 4.


HERO App

We know that many of you have successfully downloaded the free HERO app from either the Apple Store or Google Play store. Earlier this week, the app disappeared from the Google Play store but it has been reinstated and is able to be downloaded again. 

These are challenging times for us all and our thoughts are with you all as you navigate life in bubbles once again. Please do reach out to our staff by calling the school phone 03 337 1404, by emailing the office office@beckenham.school.nz or by emailing a member of our teaching staff if you would like someone to call you. Please be aware that when our teachers call you, they will be using their personal phones, so their number is likely to come up as a 'private number'.

Do send the teachers photos of your children and their learning at home - the teachers love getting to see what the children are doing too.

Ngā mihi mahana
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki / Principal



Important Dates

Citizen of the Week

Kawariki Taylor - Year 4

Kawariki! We love your enthusiasm and positivity in everything you do. Students in Kōwhai look up to you as someone who is a kind and humble leader. Your self-management and dedication means that your schoolwork is always completed to a high standard. Ka mau te wehi! Thank you for being your fantastic self. 

Congratulations

... to Zoe M Clarke on winning a leadership Scholarship to Cashmere High School for 2022. 

School Notices

Mana Ake

Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow provides mental health and wellbeing support for children in primary school years 1-8 across Canterbury. Click here to see way's you can support your tamariki.
A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am (on a normal school day, not in Level 3 or 4). These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Scholastic Book Club Orders Update

This is an update to let you know that if you have not yet received your Issue 5 orders, they will be in the Scholastic warehouse. Until Alert Levels drop to Level 2, we are unable to despatch orders to schools. 


"Right now, we are all adjusting to the restrictions to keep our communities safe and well. The extension of lockdown is presenting us all with challenges. It is impacting our ability to work, connect and have our children in school. 
 
If you haven’t yet received your order, it will be part of many orders that are currently in the Scholastic warehouse.
 
Under Level 4, only essential businesses are allowed to operate and unfortunately, this means that the Scholastic warehouse is closed. Consequently, we are unable to fulfil your orders until Auckland reaches Level 2 or lower.
 
Home deliveries that are already in the system, will be despatched at Level 3 as will any new orders marked for home delivery.
 
Lockdown is hard on everyone including our children. During lockdown, reading is more important than ever. Reading for at least 10 minutes every day not only benefits children academically but also allows children the time to quieten their minds and to unwind, soothing stress and anxiety.
 
Please be assured that we are aware of the disappointment of not receiving your books and we will send you an update when the situation improves.

If we can be of assistance, please contact Customer Services on 0800 266 525.
 
In the meantime, stay safe everyone.
The Scholastic Team"

Sports News

Primary Sports Canterbury (PSC)'s 'BUBBLATHLON'

PSC have come up with an alternative to the PSC Duathlon scheduled for Monday (30th Aug), a first ever ‘Bubblathlon’, and would love for you to share this with your whānau. You may have already seen our post today on the PSC facebook page, link here, and you are welcome to share it.

Essentially this is about completing a duathlon (run-bike-run) within your bubble. Any course, any time of the day and at any speed, we are encouraging all participants to share their experiences using a picture collage or even video on our facebook post that will go up on Monday. 


Extra Learning Spot 

Story time - Links to online stories for Tamariki:





Community Notices

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

Summer With Your Neighbours


Subsidies for neighbourhood events held between 29 October 2021 and 31 March 2022

'Summer with your neighbours' is about bringing people together. It's an opportunity to organise a small get-together or local gathering to get to know your neighbours.

The Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board is making small subsidies available towards neighbourhood gatherings in its Board area.

Apply online at: ccc.govt.nz/GetTogether
Or request a hard-copy application form by phoning CCC Call Centre (03) 941 8999.

Applications for subsidies close on 10th September 2021

Please Note:
1. Subsidy reimbursements are paid after the gathering, on presentation and approval of receipts.
2. Subsidies are not available for alcohol, fireworks, or paid entertainment.
3. If your gathering is to be held in a public space such as a local park or reserve, you will need to contact Council Bookings on (03) 941 8888 to check availability and make a booking for your chosen venue.

Golden Rules - Alert Level 4 Information videos 



For our Pacific families, if you are not aware the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ has been working to ensure useful information is available to Pacific peoples in nine different languages.


Write like an author, draw like an artist.


Opportunity for young people (? couldn't decide on this - opted to include - remove if neeeded)