Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 29 October 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

The discovery of COVID cases in Christchurch this week has been an important reminder to all of us of the importance of us all following health & safety guidelines, scanning wherever we go, and getting vaccinated if eligible.

Please remember that face masks are required to be worn if adults need to come onto the school site for any reason. This includes coming into the office, or  when meeting after school with staff (who will also wear a face mask).
Please only come on-site if you are going to the office or to an after school meeting. We continue to request that you do not come into the hubs during the school day whilst children are around at Alert Level 2.

Staffing Update

Laura Williamson has decided to step down as Team Leader from the start of 2022, and we are delighted to announce that Anna Reid has been appointed as the new Team Leader of the Kōwhai (Year 3/4) team. We are still looking to appoint two more teaching staff for 2022 and once those appointments are confirmed, we will be able to confirm teaching teams.

Anna Reid - newly appointed Team Leader of Year 3/4 for 2022

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 3:
Wed 3 Nov -  Board of Trustee's Meeting (5.30 - 7.30)
Sat 6 Nov - Theatre Sports Competition (@Rangi Ruru Girls)

Week 4:
Wed 10 Nov - New Entrant (Chelsea and Tracey's Home Groups)  & Year 8 School Photos 
Fri 12 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (School Closed)

Term Dates
Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Sarah Ashworth - Year 6

Sarah, you are an awesome role model on Pōhutukawa. You quietly go about the business of learning and always give 100% effort. Any responsibility you are given or seek, you undertake diligently and with good humour. Ka pai to mahi, Sarah.

School Notices

Logging on to HERO

Your child's reports will be being published through HERO this year, so it is important that you are able to access this information. 
It is difficult for us to get a clear picture of how many of you have successfully logged into HERO so far, or to know who are the people who might need a bit of extra help. If you have not yet managed to log onto HERO, PLEASE call the office, or come into the office, and one of the staff will be very happy to walk you through the process. There is also a 'how to log onto HERO' guide here. You can use HERO on multiple devices: a smartphone, a tablet or a computer.

School Donations and Fees

A huge thank you to everyone who has already paid any outstanding fees, camp contributions and contributed towards the school donation. 
To access your account, you need to log onto HERO. 



A small number of items are fees and are required to be paid. These include stationery and uniform items, and payments for optional activities such as miniball.
Camp contributions support us to cover the cost of running camps. At the moment, we are taking quite a loss on running camps so every contribution is important - even if it is only a partial contribution to the camp cost.
Our Board have decided not to charge and itemise for each individual activity, but to ask instead for a once-a-year donation of $150 per child. This equates to $2.88 per week. This school donation covers a wide range of costs. We use this donation to support a wide range of curriculum activities including Swimming and Gymnastics costs (Years 1-4), Kapa Haka tutor, trips, visiting speakers, performers, coaches and educational supports (e.g.Life Education, drama groups etc) who come into the school. 

To set up an automatic payment, or to make a one-off payment, please copy the school’s bank account number: 12-3148-0131641-00 into your internet banking and use your child’s name as the reference.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean-Up Week

This week is 'Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week'. Because this week is a short week, the goal will be to get our school cleaned up, looking amazing, and rubbish-free during Week 3.

Sports News

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Year 5-8 Athletic Sports yesterday. More photos and full results will be coming out next week. A huge thanks to Jenny Diggle, staff and parent helpers for making sure that this event was so successful.



PTA News

We have two final fundraisers for 2021! Order forms for both should be in bags, or on your bench by now!

CALENDAR ART

Our annual calendar art fundraiser is now open!  Order forms will be home by now.
Simply log in to https://www.kidsartworks.com/ - and enter your child’s unique code that is on their order form, then follow the order and payment process. It’s very easy. You can order calendars, diaries, sketch books and heaps more. You can choose between the gorgeous work they have done in class, or submit your own image. Orders MUST be in by Monday 8th of November, at 9am in the morning. There will be no extensions this year – so if you want a copy of your child’s unique art work do it now!

CURED SALAMI

Thinking of those summer BBQ platters with cheese, salami and crackers?  Or do you want a new Christmas present for a family member?  Well, we have the perfect idea for you.


We have teamed up with Cured to offer salami for sale for $20 per salami (450 – 460g size) in four flavours: Venison, Pepperoni, Garlic and Spicy.  They are naturally manuka smoked, are gluten free, dairy free and have no MSG. Meat is locally sourced, and the salamis are produced locally.

These are seriously delicious!

Order forms should have come home in your bag. Please feel free to collect orders from your workmates, friends and family. The order forms should be returned with either cash or online payment before Thursday 11th November at 3pm. We will be at school from Wednesday next week to collect orders. Pick up will be from school on the 10th and 11th of December.

If you prefer to order online, please click this link: CURED Salami Order Form

(The PTA account number for salami payment is : 12-3148-0244558-00. Please use your surname and SALAMI as reference).

Thanks everyone for your support!

Weetbix Kids TRYathlon


The Weetbix TRYathlon is on (fingers crossed!) next year, Sunday 6th of March in the morning at Jellie Park. If you have a child aged 6 or older who is keen to get involved you can easily register them online at https://tryathlon.co.nz/locations/christchurch/ and join our school group by searching “Beckenham”.

There will be a gazebo for the kids to hang out in and a bbq cooking well deserved sausages on the day.
It’ll be a great day family day out and something to look forward to for next year!

Community Notices

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

Waimairi Surf Life Saving Club

Spaces available for 7-9 year old's this summer!

Teaching surf awareness and safety each Sunday morning. While surf life saving is not a learn to swim facility, it is a great compliment to regular pool training.

Contact Brad John, Junior Surf Coordinator
waimairi.juniors@gmail.com

Beckenham Pallet Project

Have you seen the benches around Beckenham? Are you interested in constructing or decorating one? As part of the Better Beckenham project, we will be constructing and decorating benches on Sunday 7th November from 10am to 12 noon at the back of Cashmere New Life church (St. Saviours Church on Colombo St opposite Countdown). Even if you don’t want to build or paint, feel free to pop in, have a look and a chat.  

For more information head to http://www.betterbeckenham.org.nz/benches or get in touch with dave@cnl.org.nz 













Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 22 October 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Remember that this is a four-day weekend with Labour Day on Monday and a Staff Only Day on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing all the children back on WEDNESDAY.

Welcome Assembly today
We had a welcome assembly with a difference today - outside and sadly, without all of our new families and whānau there to share in the welcome.

We welcomed 29 children, 25 of whom were new to Beckenham since Week 2 of last term, and four children who have recently returned to Beckenham after having some time away.

We celebrated their 12 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds with a parade of flags and got a lovely photo of them all together at the end!



It was great to have Te Whānau Mahi Tahi performing again for us and leading from the front of the assembly, welcoming us all in.





Thank you!

...to one of our wonderful parents who built this beautiful 'fairy garden' in one of the planter boxes over the school holidays. It has been played with constantly since school started again this week!


Please be aware of Netflix's new streamed show "Squid Game"

This programme has a rating of 16+ for a very good reason - extreme violence, strong language, and regular, very frightening scenes depicting death that are not suitable for primary aged children.



You may have seen this article on Stuff about the impact that viewing this programme is having on children in Australia.
We urge you to closely monitor your child's viewing, and be aware that they may be able to watch this through Youtube or other platforms, so extremely close parental guidance is encouraged.

Athletic Sports next week - no spectators please

After carefully considering the guidance from the Ministries of Health and Education, we will be running the Year 5-8 Athletic Sports next week as a 'no spectator event'. Whilst we operate with staff and students, we are able to have events like this outside, but as soon as we add spectators into the mix, we would be operating outside of those guidelines.
Thank you for your understanding of this. We will do our best to take lots of photos and will post these to our school Facebook page.

We wish you all a very relaxing and safe long weekend.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

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)  Dessert Evening - All Welcome
Thur 28 Oct - Year 5 - 8 Athletics
Fri 29 Oct - Celebration Assembly (12 - 12.30)
Sun 31 Oct - PTA Halloween Picnic in the Park Cancelled

Week 3:
Wed 3 Nov -  Board of Trustee's Meeting (5.30 - 7.30)
Sat 6 Nov - Theatre Sports Competition (@Rangi Ruru Girls)

Week 4:
Wed 10 Nov - New Entrant (Chelsea and Tracey's Home Groups)  & Year 8 School Photos 
Thur 11 Nov - Year 0 - 4 Athletics (TBC)
Fri 12 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (School Closed)

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Misha Lee - Year 3

Misha, you are an absolutely awesome member of the Kōwhai whanau! You have an fantastic 'can do' attitude and set a wonderful example to others as you cheerfully work hard in all areas of school life.  Misha, you are a considerate, caring and enthusiastic friend, who naturally incorporates our key values in everything you do. Thank you for being such a superstar! Tino Pai! 

School Notices

Food Allergy Guidelines

Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.
To support the wellbeing of these students we have the following guidelines in place which we ask you to follow:
  • Whenever children bring food to school for shared kai occasions, please follow the guidelines provided by the teachers for that event. 

  • We will inform you during the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change.  Our full allergy policy and guidelines in this booklet, are also available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under “Information - Policies - SchoolDocs” then search ‘allergy’. 
Username: beckenham
Password: pride

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

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins”. Sessions are now on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 for parents, starting on November 2nd. 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 yj2ed. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles

Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied, and with a named school hat and their named drink bottle.



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 or Reihana 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.

ESOL News

This week...

Koru children enjoyed talking and playing a shopping game. They learnt about healthy food, too.



Kahikatea and Kowhai did likewise, and also played some memory and team building games.




Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 6th and 7th November


Orienteering is a fun sport, using a map to navigate around checkpoints. While the aim is to finish the course as fast as possible, one of the great aspects of orienteering is that everyone is free to go at their own pace which suits their fitness and desire! For those interested in adventure racing, navigation is an essential skill and most teams have at least one member with orienteering experience.

The schools orienteering festival events are at the Groynes on the 6th November and Bottle Lake forest on the 7th November. The courses are set to be suitable for aged 9 and older and can be done individually or in pairs (many younger children also compete as well but would need to feel confident without an adult). Participants are able to enter one or both days. More information is available on the webpage
https://papo.org.nz/series/view/21/canterbury-schools-orienteering-festival-2021 or from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto parent and orienteering club member, Jenni Adams jennia.home@gmail.com  Entries for the festival close Friday 29th October and should be made individually using the link from the webpage.

After school training opportunities are available over the next two weeks:

Tuesday 26 October | Halswell Quarry | Finlay’s Picnic Area at the end of the main road into the park

Wednesday 27 October |  Barnett Park | End of the car park near the field 

Monday 1 November |  Heathcote Domain | Meet by Cricket pavilion  

Tuesday 2 November  | Hansen Park / Rudolf Steiner School |  Playground in Hansen Park 

For the trainings bring: Comfortable shoes, a compass if you have one, and $2 for a map.  

Sports News

Congratulations to Nevannah who is developing a passion for Netball Umpiring, and has been recognised for her commitment and dedication with these two awards. Nevannah's goal is to one day umpire a Silver Ferns test match.

Cousins Ollie and Lola represented Canterbury during the school holidays, in a 4 day basketball tournament held in Ashburton. Both played some exceptional basketball and had some great wins for their respective U13 teams. Congratulations!


PTA News

Event Cancellation

Regretfully due to COVID, the PTA has decided to err on the side of caution, and cancel the Halloween picnic at the park, that was to be held on the 31st.

Community Notices

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

Huntsbury Preschool is hosting an OPEN DAY


Tuesday 26 October from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Spaces available for 2-5 year olds, Monday-Friday
Come check out our special little preschool on the hill.

Art Competition

As part of our council consultations on coastal hazards, we are running an art competition on what Christchurch might look like in 50 years. We want people to get creative and show us how life in coastal Ōtautahi Christchurch will be. Floating houses? Water cars? Houses and schools on poles? Water bikes? You can show us in any way you like – a drawing or painting, short movie, a presentation, a sculpture, a poster, a photo – get creative!

 Drop off is at any of our Christchurch City Council libraries, or get in touch with Hannah.Ballantyne@ccc.govt.nzto arrange collection.


Important Health & Safety Newsletter, Friday 15 October 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

I hope that you have all managed to get some time to rest and relax with your family during these school holidays. We are all looking forward to welcoming our tamariki back to school on Monday, with a special welcome for a number of new students who will be starting.

This newsletter is to keep you up to date on our ongoing Health & Safety guidelines in this ever-changing COVID-19 environment. We face the new term still at Alert Level 2, and understand that it is increasingly likely that Delta will soon appear in our community. During the two weeks of the school holidays, the COVID situation has continued to be challenging in the North Island, and, as a result, there continue to be changes mandated around the way we all need to behave and operate, so as to keep everyone in our community as safe and healthy as we possibly can. A significant announcement this week has been the new mandate for all school staff to be fully vaccinated.

The information in italics below has come directly from a Ministry of Education bulletin this week. We are receiving daily updates and clarifications on procedures and expectations to help us understand our responsibilities going into Term 4. 

Applying the mandatory vaccination and testing requirements

On Monday 11 October 2021 the Government advised that all staff and workers who may have contact with children and students in schools and kura throughout the country (regardless of COVID-19 Alert Level) will be required to have a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.
 
From 1 January 2022, education services must only allow those that are fully vaccinated to provide onsite services during opening hours.

This means vaccinations are mandatory for all those working onsite including teachers, relief teachers, casual staff, administration staff, caretakers, cleaners, OSCAR providers and hostel staff – whether direct employees or employees of a contractor. It also applies to unpaid workers, such as volunteers (including parent volunteers) and any members of the community who are on site at the school kura, as they are likely to come into contact with students. 
 
The vaccination requirement does not apply to parents or whānau undertaking student pick-ups and drop-offs, but these should be conducted in an outdoor environment where face coverings must be worn, and physical distancing measures retained.

We will be working through the process of gathering vaccination information from our staff next week. 

As you can see from the information above, we will also need to begin gathering vaccination information from any adults who come onto the school site as workers or as volunteers, whānau included. Our understanding is that this will be compulsory from the beginning of next year. Please do not be offended if you are volunteering and we request this information from you this year; we do not want to have a big job at the start of the school year if we can make a start on it now. Being unvaccinated will not preclude you from volunteering this year, however, it will from the start of next year.

Wearing of masks:



Adults and Masks: There has also been a change in the guidelines to schools on the wearing of masks. Staff at school still do not have to wear masks, but may choose to do so at any time. When any other adults come onto the school site, face coverings MUST now be worn and physical distancing measures maintained, unless this gets in the way of the delivery of the curriculum.
This means that caregivers and whānau will always need to wear a mask when you come onto the school site, and that staff will also wear masks if we are meeting with you.

Students and Masks: Students are not required to wear masks at school. If any student wishes to wear a mask, they are absolutely able to do that.
There has been a change to the requirements around bus transport, particularly for our Year 7/8 students going to technology each Tuesday on the bus.
Students who are aged 12 and over are now required to wear a mask on both school and public bus services, under all alert levels. Students under 12 are encouraged to wear a mask on school transport.

As we have increasing numbers of students in our Year 7/8 area are 12 and 13 years old, we have decided to take an inclusive and pragmatic approach and request that ALL Year 7/8 students bring and wear a mask on the technology bus each Tuesday, and on any other bus trips that the Year 7/8 students may make. 

Sunhats

As we start Term 4, please ensure that your child has a named red or black school sunhat at school every day.



Drink Bottles (no water fountains at Alert Level 2)

While we continue to be at Alert Leve 2, our drinking fountains are not available to be used. This means that all children need to bring a named water bottle to school every day. Please check that this comes home each day for cleaning and refilling.

Staying connected to your child's home group teacher

We appreciate that it is much more challenging at the moment to stay connected to your child's learning and school life when all of the above restrictions are in place. Please email your child's teacher if you want to make a time to pop in after school (wearing a mask) to have a quick catch-up, or to see inside your child's learning space (especially if you are new to the school).

Reports and Learning Conferences

This year has been a different one in terms of our reporting schedule, as we tranistion across to HERO. We expect to have progress and achievement reports to you at the end of Week 5, with Learning Conferences in Week 6 (23rd and 25th November). More information about these will come out next week.

See you all next week!

Ngā mihi mahana
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki/Principal

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 1 October 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Unlike our colleagues, friends and whānau in Auckland, we managed to make it to the end of term 3 at school, albeit at Level 2. Our staff would like to thank you for your patience and support with continuing to drop and collect children at the gate each day and to only come onto the site to visit the office if you absolutely have to. We also appreciate everyone wearing masks at the gate. 

It is currently very difficult to predict what the COVID situation will be next term, so whilst we will hope for the best, we will assume that there is a good chance that we will still be operating at Alert Level 2.

We did have a lovely Celebration assembly today, out in the courtyard with each hub sitting separately from the others. It's the first whole school assembly we have had since August 2nd so the sun and warmth were very much appreciated. If your child received a certificate, their teacher will have taken a photo to email you.

Social Media and your child

We have noticed a significant increase in issues being reported to us at school about out-of-school activity on social media platforms that is becoming increasingly tricky for our young people to navigate. This is not just in our Year 7/8 area, but through Year 5&6 and to some extent, also in Year 3/4
One of the new platforms being used is 'Messenger Kids'. (Years 6-12) This is a new platform through Facebook Messenger, designed to have strong parental controls built-in. However, these controls are only effective if parents actually monitor them and work with their child to help them understand what kinds of comments and messages are appropriate and what isn't.



If you want to learn more about how to monitor your child's Messenger Kids, there is a great link here from Netsafe.

We have also become aware of unmonitored conversations out of school hours between students on a platform designed for 13years + called 'Discord'. This is often a platform associated with gaming, including the very popular 14years plus game 'Fortnite' which we know many of our students play.



This 2019 article "The Dark side of Discord' is a very important reminder to caregivers that 'gaming does not equal safe'.  A useful anaology might be that we wouldn't send our children into the city, unsupervised and let them talk with anyone they met without any worries or fears for their safety. Therefore, when our children are online, we need to assume that they are potentially in a world where they can meet and talk with anyone, unsupervised. Even when they are talking with their friends, without supervision, conversations can quickly take on negative and harmful directions including bullying, sexual comments, racist slurs, threats of harm, and encouragement to self-harm.

We encourage you to use the holidays to engage with your child's online activity and ensure that you have a full and ongoing understanding of what they are involved in.

I wish you all a safe and relaxing next couple of weeks. We look forward to seeing you all back in Term 4.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy and the team

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 4
Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Thu 21 October - Year 5-8 Parent Information evening - 'Sexuality and Relationships' topic for Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau, if we are at Alert Level 1)

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)  Dessert Evening - All Welcome
Thur 28 Oct - Year 5 - 8 Athletics
Fri 29 Oct - Celebration Assembly (12 - 12.30)
Sun 31 Oct - PTA Halloween Picnic in the Park - BYO Food & Blanket

Week 3:
Wed 3 Nov -  Board of Trustee's Meeting (5.30 - 7.30)

Week 4:
Thur 11 Nov - Year 0 - 4 Athletics
Fri 12 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (School Closed)

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Otis Yeoman - Year 8

Otis, your lust for learning and fun is infectious. You have an inquisitive and creative mind. We love the way you share your knowledge and insights with us. Otis, you are a kind and loyal friend, a dedicated leader and have an awesome sense of humour. Keep doing all the wonderful things that make you, you!

School Notices

Diversity Group 



Our Diversity Group meets once a week on Fridays in the Kauri Hub. Our current project is creating posters with uplifting messages to display in our hubs. 

Speeches

A huge congratulations to our zone speech finalists. Both children delivered their persuasive speeches incredibly well to a very engaged, socially distanced audience. The speech topics were Gender Equality in Sport, a well-researched exploration on gender disparity in sport, and Why Sport is Bad for You, an ironic yet convincing speech, given by a very talented sportsperson. 


ESOL News

It was lovely weather for gardening this week and Kahikatea students planted out strawberries, vegetables and summer bedding plants.



Kōwhai students worked hard to tidy up and weed the garden under the apple trees. 




Koru students talked about the things they like most about Spring.

Sun hats 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.

Uniform reminder

Please check that your child is coming to school in uniform each day. We have worked hard to make our uniform a cost-effective and fully accessible option, and we do expect that all chidlren will wear uniform every day. Fundamentally, this is plain black on the bottom half, and plain red on the top half. Sunhats need to be plain red or plain black bucket or wide-brimmed hats.
jumpers or polar fleeces need to be plain red.
There is also the option of the black and white gingham dress or culottes.

Sports News

Athletics

Term 4 is athletics season at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.

In the past, we have organised this as a whole school event. It is awesome to see the whole school out at the park participating in their events and it is fantastic for school spirit. We know this can also be easier for whānau who have children across year levels. 

This year, Covid has factored in our decision making and this has been the deciding consideration that has led us to hold two separate events for 2021. 

Thursday 28th October - Year 5 - 8 athletics 

Thursday 11 November - Year 0 - 4 athletics 

More information to come on these two events.

If you would be able to support in the running of the Year 5 - 8 athletics day, please email Jenny. 

PTA News

Congratulations! We made it to end of term 3! Thanks to everyone who supported the Readathon - we have had our lucky draw and someone from each hub will be taking home a book voucher to keep the reading going.

Next term we have a few things to let you know about.
We need new helpers in the PTA as lots of people are moving on as their kids age out. Our meeting on Wednesday 27th will be a dessert evening! So please come along if you are curious about what we do and want to know more - or you just want to eat cake!


On the 31st of October we are planning a relaxed Halloween picnic in the park- come along in your costumes before trick or treating- or come along to avoid the trick or treaters at your place! It will be BYO food and blanket. 

Calendar Art order forms will be out early next term! Get in quick for great Xmas pressies. 
Keep safe and have a wonderful holidays!

Community Notices

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

Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations now available at The Princess Margaret Hospital



In response to an increase in demand to get vaccinations sooner, a walk-in option is available at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Cashmere from  20 September until 3 October.
Drop-ins are welcome anytime 2pm – 8pm, on weekdays, or 10am – 3pm on weekends. We can accommodate up to 300 drop-ins each day. This is in addition to our booked appointment capacity.
We are pleased to now be able to provide this option for people who have not yet booked their appointments and for people who’d like an earlier appointment.
We ask people who take up the chance to drop-in to The Princess Margaret Hospital remember to cancel any booked appointments no longer needed.
We recognise that school holidays are coming up and for those planning to travel, having at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can provide them with an additional level of protection. We continue to encourage proper hand hygiene, use of masks or face-coverings and scanning.

Low Sensory COVID Vaccine Bookings

We are very pleased to announce that bookings can now be made for the Low Sensory Covid 19 Vaccination Clinics hosted by Nurse Maude, supported by Autism NZ. 



The sessions will be held in the Ballroom of Nurse Maude, at 24 McDougall Ave, Christchurch. This is a quiet location with features to make the vaccination experience as relaxed as possible. 

We would like to highlight that family members from the same household, and any carers, are also eligible to be vaccinated – you just need separate bookings for each person at the same or adjacent times.

Also, you can book either your first or second Pfizer dose through this invitation.

If you have any questions, contact Debra or Karen at Autism NZ.

To book, go to https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/          (Please do not use Internet Explorer)

When asked, enter access code - B7W7T5BB1E

When asked for location, enter CHRISTCHURCH

There will be a range of dates and times to choose from between Sept and November.

We look forward to welcoming you.

From the team organising Low Sensory @ Nurse Maude

Below is a link with some helpful information to assist with preparation for vaccinations:


Explore has provided some very useful documents that can be downloaded off their website above.

These include:
  • Supporting people through the vaccination process
  • First-then
  • Social script
  • Square breathing exercise
  • What to expect on the day
 Please feel free to contact us at Autism NZ for more support. You can also email us with any information you would like us to pass on to help support you best during your visit.

The clinic is low sensory which includes low lights, less sound, more time and less people, to create a calmer environment.

Debra Lord
LEGO and Social Group Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator

250 Westminster St, Christchurch Park, Mairehau, Christchurch 8013
+64 3 343 2225 + 021 0858 9616
debra.lord@autismnz.org.nz
autismnz.org.nz
PO Box 21273, Edgeware, Christchurch 8143

Walking in Harry Ell's Footsteps 

10 October, 9.30am - 2pm, at the Sign of the Bellbird. Join a walk on the Port Hills which focuses on the conservation efforts of Harry Ell and the Summit Road Society. Harry Ell is recognised as one of Christchurch's first conservationists. It is thanks to his legacy that we have the network of reserves on the Port Hills, the Summit Road and the four rest houses. This event is free. Phone: 03 349 3409.




Jewellery Making Classes for Kids

This school holidays Workspace Studios is offering special classes for kids to learn some amazing techniques in our professional jewellery workshop!
We are running the classes in two age Piwakawaka (6-10) and Kereru (10+)

Pendant Making
Use our copper or brass shapes to make your own pendant.
Learn to texture the metal with hammers, punches and letter stamps, then use coloured pencil to colour it how you like. The final step is choosing cord to turn it into something wearable. Kids are welcome to bring beads from home to add to their piece.

Ring Making
Create your own ring stack from copper/brass and silver in this super fun workshop.
Learn to measure your finger, cut metal to length and texture it with hammers and punches. Then solder the ring into a circle using a jewellers torch and finish with sandpaper and polishing. Students will create one ring in copper or brass and one in sterling silver. They can be worn on a cord or chain instead of the finger if preferred.

**Note to parents** this class uses fire! Please ensure you feel confident your child can follow instructions safely before enrolling them.

Piwakawaka - Pendant Making; 14 Oct, 10-11am, $34
Piwakawaka - Pendant Making; 15 Oct 10-11am, $34

Kereru - Ring Making; 14 Oct 12-2pm, $48
Kereru - Ring Making; 15 Oct 12-2pm, $48



Southern Districts Cricket is based in Beckenham Park, and require a few more players from Yrs 0-8 to complete teams.

Open Day & BBQ  Saturday 25th & Saturday 2nd from 12pm at Beckenham clubrooms. Or contact Cat for more information 
admin@kidsinaction.nz or 0272981031






Our Generation Give participant teenagers, from across the city and the plains, are as passionate about making a difference as we are.  We have been highly impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm to make Greater Ōtautahi Christchurch better.

We are thrilled to share that they have developed a fun way for you to support local charities whilst helping them learn more about philanthropy.

Who Gives a Duck is their upcoming fundraising event, a rubber duck race in the heart of central Christchurch, with a prize for the winning duck.

Donate a Duck to 'enter' the race then watch in person, or via live stream, as they race down the Ōtākaro/Avon River. 

The race is being held on Monday 11 October, 2021, starting at the Bridge of Remembrance.

Brannigans, Jarden and The Christchurch Foundation collectively will match the first $10,000 NZD raised. 

Please note that Covid restrictions may require changes in how this event is run.



Congratulations — the holidays are here!
Any school term that includes a Covid stay-at-home period is a term that isn't the easiest for staff and students. So, we hope you have some plans in place to unwind and reset.

Perhaps we'll see you at one of the Biketober events? Or exploring the city as part of the Passport Competition?

Be kind. Stay safe. Pedal.


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 24 September 2021

Posted on by

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