Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Clarification of dates for the start of the 2021 school year…

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Kia ora koutou

My apologies for any confusion caused by a couple of incorrect dates for next week's events in the newsletter yesterday.

This information below is correct:

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 2 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb PTA Mtg - Green Room 7:30pm - all welcome
Thu 4 Feb Classes begin
Fri 5 Feb Welcome Assembly
Mon 8 Feb School Closed Waitangi Day
Fri 12 Feb Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Picnic - Everyone welcome

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.


Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto – Start of Year Newsletter for 2021

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Welcome back to what is nearly the start of the 2021 school year. Whilst we don't complain about having warm weather, let's hope that it isn't quite this hot when school starts back next week! I hope that you have all managed to get some time to relax with your whānau at some stage over the summer break.

This newsletter is designed to give you a heads up on lots of important, need-to-know information to ensure that you and your children have as smooth a start to the school year as possible.

Staff have been heading back into school this week, with all teams having met in the last day or two. Our five new teachers have also been participating in an induction programme over the past two days, led by our senior leadership team. All of our staff will be onsite from tomorrow as we have three staff only days on Thursday, Friday and Monday, preparing for the year ahead! 

We will be starting with an exciting morning of sustainability and science, utilising the outdoor environment to understand the links with our cultural narrative. All staff will be involved in this, so the office will be closed in the morning and will open officially at 1pm.

Over the three days we will also be spending time learning how to utilise our new Student Management System. We have a major session planned for our teachers to learn more about the Science of Reading / Structured Literacy approach that we are continuing to understand and utilise to support our teaching of literacy this year. Our staff will also be engaging with some Kapa Haka and increasing their personal commitment to learning more Te Reo Māori.

New teachers induction 'How we do things at Beckenham'!
from left: Quynh Nguyen, Caitlin Worfold, Meagan Mathers, Sue Leadbetter, Nicola Reddecliffe & Lisa Collier

Learning Conferences - next week on Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd Feb

It's not too late to book a learning conference for next week. Every team in the school is slightly different this year, so this is an important opportunity to meet the teachers in your child's team and talk about the upcoming year of learning, even if your child has the same teacher as they had last year.
Please log onto www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and, using the code 4ga7w, log in to the site and book a 30min conference with your child's new teacher.
We only have a limited number of booking slots, so we do ask that separated parents do work together to book a single learning conference for their child so that all families are able to book a time.
Before you attend the learning conference, you might want to think about these questions and discuss them with your child:

Getting ready for your start of year Learning Conference:
  • Talk with your child about what they enjoy learning at school – what they feel they are good at.
  • Are there any barriers/challenges that get in the way of them learning?
  • What would they like to get better at?
  • What kinds of things help them to learn best? (e.g. where they sit, people they do/don’t work with, need for breaks/food/exercise, etc.)
  • Is there anything about your culture, religion, family situation etc that would be helpful for us to know to be able to support your child?
  • Any wonderings, questions?

Stationery 

If you have not yet purchased your child's stationery, you can download the stationery list from the school website.
When you come to the learning conference, please bring $5 with you to pay for two maths books ($2.50 for each book) if your child is in Years 3-8, or for special handwriting whiteboard pens if your child is in NE or Year 1/2 You can also pay for these items at the school office using eftpos before or after your conference.
Pencil Cases: if your child brings a pencil case to school, please keep these small - the storage spaces are not big enough for large, fluffy pencil cases!

Classes begin on Thursday 3rd February

Please ensure that children are dropped at school between 8:30 and 8:55am. There is no supervision before this time. Hubs will be open each day from 8:30am.
As always, we encourage you to foster your child's independence by letting them take their own bag and belongings into the hub to get sorted for the day.
There will be a teacher outside the hub each morning (NE, Y1/2 & Y3/4) if caregivers need to talk with a teacher. The other teachers will be in the hub greeting the children and helping them get set up for the day. 

Transition support

Our staff have created a transition slideshow which is shared here for you to look at with your child(ren). We know that some children will be new to Beckenham and others will benefit from knowing about people and routines in advance. We hope that this will provide a sense of some of the things that are staying the same, and what might be changing or new.


Health & Safety

Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles - 

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

COVID-19 Precautions

Please remember that ALL adults who come on site need to use the QR code to sign in using the school's COVID-19 QR code. These are on hub doors and the office door and there is one outside the library and Pūkaki for when you come onto the school site to pick up children.



We will be using hand sanitiser daily at school - if your child can't tolerate the variety we use at school, please supply your own, and email the teacher to let them know.

Children with Health needs, Emergency Plans and/or medications

If your child has medication that needs to be kept at school it is very impportant that you come into the office and set up a new plan with Jacky for the administration of this. All medication held on site should have been sent back home to you at the end of last year. Please check expiry dates on medications before you bring it in.
If your child has an emergency medical plan for asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, siezure, allergies or any other critical medical emergency, and you have had that plan and or medication updated over the holidays, please also bring that into the office.

Uniform

Please ensure that your child has appropriate uniform ready for the start of school. You can check our uniform guide on the website.
The PTA run a second hand uniform shop from the PTA building behind the caretaker's garage on the corner of Sandwich Road and Eastern Tce. 
The Uniform shop will be open on 
Tuesday 2nd Feb from 10-11am,11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-2:30pm
Wednesday 3rd Feb  from 10-11am and 1:30-2:30pm

Normal term time opening hours will be Mondays & Fridays from 2:50pm - 3:15pm

Building Update



As some of you will have noticed if you have walked past the Eastern Tce end of the school, the old Room 19/20 - Hangere Block has been demolished over the holidays, to make way for a new New Entrant double room hub that will be being built this year for our growing roll, by the Ministry of Education. Whilst this building work is ongoing, the normal Eastern Tce access to school will be closed off. You will still be able to access school from Eastern Tce by using the public path that comes up between the school and the Adventure Playground. The bike shed behind Kōmanawa will still be available.

The Kōmanawa block (New Entrants) has had a much needed toilet refurbish over the holidays as well!

The Treemendous play area will be out of bounds for the duration of the building work.

Welcome Assembly - Friday 5 February 9:15am - 9:30am

 At 9:15am on Friday 5th Feb we will hold our first 'Welcome Assembly' for 2021. At this assembly, we will formally welcome all of the children, families and staff who have joined our school since the last welcome assembly was held on Fri 16th October 2020. We encourage whānau to stay and join us, particularly if you are new to the school - this assembly is to welcome you! The PTA will provide morning tea and an opportunity to meet other families immediately after the assembly.

Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Family Picnic: Friday 12 Feb from 5-7pm

Bring along your picnic or your fish and chips and meet other families, along with our PTA, Staff and BOSCO teams. There will be a bouncy castle and some other games too.


Help needed - simple sewing job.

We are looking for someone who could make some very simple curtains to cover the front of some cupboards in a classroom, please. Nothing fancy - they will be hung on a curtain wire.
We also need some slip covers to be made for some quarter round seats that are starting to look a bit shabby. We can provide an example to cut a simple pattern from. We will provide the material that are required. If you think you could help with one or both of these jobs, please contact Jacky by emailing office@beckenham.school.nz

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 2 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb Learning Conferences. Please check you have booked a time for each child
Wed 3 Feb PTA Mtg - Green Room 7:30pm - all welcome
Thu 4 Feb Classes begin
Fri 5 Feb Welcome Assembly
Mon 8 Feb School Closed Waitangi Day
Fri 12 Feb Combined School, PTA & BOSCO Picnic - Everyone welcome

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week, from Tuesday. 

Sandy and the refreshed and ready-to-get-going team at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto!

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 15th December 2020

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

This will be the last official newsletter of the year (although there may still be the odd email over the next week!). Please do read this through carefully, as there is a lot of important information in this!

Tomorrow, our final day of school, your child(ren) will be told who their 2021 homgroup teacher will be and then they will be visiting with their new teacher (if available) and homegroup for some time to get to know one another.
Your child will bring home a letter for you, confirming who their home group teacher will be. This letter will also contain contact information for all of the teachers in your child's team for next year.

Please Book your Learning Conference now...

Tomorrow's letter  will also contain information about how to book a Learning Conference for the start of 2021. Please log onto www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and, using the code 4ga7w, log in to the site and book a 30min conference with your child's new teacher.
Please note that there will only be one letter per child. If you live in a different home to your child, ask them who their teacher is for next year. We do have a limited number of booking slots, so we do ask that separated parents do work together to book a single learning conference for their child so that all families are able to book a time.

Stationery Lists

Also coming home tomorrow will be next year's stationery list. You can also find this list on the school website. You can order most of the items on the stationery list by logging onto the OfficeMax 'MySchool' website, and putting in our school name.
BYOD Chromebooks are available through PBTech - log onto their website and put in our school name to order a Chromebook for your child if they are in Year 5-8 next year. (This is optional, and strongly recommended).

A final Staffing Update...

We will have had a number of changes to our staff by the time school starts again next year.
In our final update for the year, we welcome Nicola Reddecliffe to our teaching staff for 2021.

We are now able to confirm our teacher staffing for next year:

Jo Smith will join Sue Leadbetter and I in the senior leadership team as Acting Deputy Principal.

Koru Team - (New Entrants)
Elizabeth Drummond, Nicola Reddecliffe & Stacey McLachlan

Kahikatea Team (Years 1/2)
Amber Donovan (Team Leader), Katie McFarlane, Charlotte Verity & Lisa Collier

Kōwhai Team (Years 3/4)
Laura Williamson (Team Leader), Rowena Barker, Nick Bruce, Quynh Nguyen & Meagan Mathers

Pōhutukawa Team (Years 5/6)
Steve Cooke (Team Leader), Anna Reid, Gayle McNaughton & Rae Marsh

Kauri Team (Years 7/8)
Nicky Dunlop (Team Leader), Megan Culver, Jenny Diggle, Caitlin Worsfold & Georgie Jones

Our congratulations go out to Lisa Griffith who has won a specialist Reading Recovery Teacher position at Te Kōmanawa Rowley School next year. We wish Lisa all the very best with this new role.

Congratulations to Sari Farrant who joined us to start our last New Entrant class in Term 3 this year, and who has won a position at Leeston School for next year. We wish Sari all the very best with her new role too.

We take this opportunity to thank Tracey Maloney for the commitment, energy and care that she has given to our Year 3/4 team in particular, joining our staff full-time just as lockdown began to fill the position made vacant when Paulette Newton left. We hope that we will see Tracey back at Beckenham as one of our key relievers in 2021.
Left to right: Lisa Griffith, Sari Farrant, Tracey Maloney

Outreach Band

We had our first and final performance of our 2020 Outreach Bands at school last week. The bands are made up of a combination of students from Beckenham, Hillview Christian School and Ōpāwa School. It was such a treat to hear them all perform. 
The CSM Outreach Band programme will continue next year. If your child will be in Years 5-8 next year and would like to join the band programme, please contact Jody Keehan (the CSM Band co-ordinator) by emailing: outreachband@csm.org.nz 


Requests for School Donations, Camp Contributions and Technology Fees

Last week you may have received a school statement with requests for your contribution, or outstanding fees to pay.
As you know - we now have a system in place (see our website for full details) where we request just $150 per child each year as a donation. That covers everything EXCEPT camps (Year 7/8 Dunedin Camp, Year 5/6 Living Springs Camp, and Y3/4 Noho Kura) and take home materials - in particular, the charge from Christchurch South for Year 7/8 technology.
If you have outstanding balances on your statement, we would appreciate that the fees (Y7/8 technology) are paid, and any contributions to school donations and camps are still made and will be very much appreciated. We are not able to continue to run camps if we do not get donations from whānau as they are outside what the Ministry of Education funding will accommodate.
The school bank account is 12-3148-0131641-00 Please use your child's name as the reference.

Sandpit Box - installed

Thanks to funding from the PTA Outdoor Spaces fund, to the engineering and carpentry skills of Justin Palmer, and the determination and tenacity of Nathalie Doering to get this project finished, we now have a wonderful Sandpit box installed adjacent to our sandpit. This will enable us to store sandpit toys securely and have them available for the children to use each day. 


Today was a very special day as we farewelled out Year 8 Leavers at their Graduation Ceremony. Our best wishes go with them all as they head to high school in 2021. We also farewell the families who will no longer have children at Beckenham after tomorrow - we thank you for your support over the years.

As I noted in my speech at the leavers' graduation today, 2020 has been a very challenging year in many ways. I wish you all a very safe, relaxing and happy summer break. Thank you all for your support through the challenges that 2020 presented to us. We look forward to seeing those of you who have children returning, in 2021.

Remember that school finishes at 12:30pm tomorrow!

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year. Stationery lists and home group team and teacher information for 2021 sent home.

Term 1 2021

Tue 2nd February & Wed 3rd February - Learning conferences
Thu 4th Feb - Classes begin
Fri 12th Feb - Combined School, PTA, Board & BOSCO Whānau Picnic - bring along your dinner and get to know other families

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Corry Lee - Year 4

Corry, you are a delight to have in the Kōwhai hub. You are a polite and helpful team member who is always willing to take on extra responsibilities and show our school value "We Get There Together." It has been fantastic to see you grow into such a positive role model to all students this year. You work hard at everything you do, and share your thoughts with others in a kind and caring manner. You have fantastic self management skills and are a very responsible student. Thank you for always demonstrating our school values. Ka pai Corry!

Isabella Day - Year 6

Bella, you are full of life and energy and you are also an extremely loyal friend to your peers. You give everything a go and you encourage and include others which shows how you demonstrate the value 'We Make A Difference' and 'We Get There Together'. You also have a positive mindset with regard to your learning, showing great persistence even when you are finding it difficult. Ka pai Bella!

School Notices

It's not too late to make contributions, donations or to clear payments on your school account! Every single dollar counts in the running of our school, and you will have recently been sent a final invoice for the year. This will include, for Year 3/4 whānau, the request for a contribution to the Noho Kura that was held last Friday.
If your child has attended one of the Year 3/4 Noho Kura, or the Year 5/6 or Year 7/8 camps this year, your contribution towards that cost would be very much appreciated as these events (being overnight events) are not covered by the school donations.

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 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 (closed between 25th December to 5th January).

The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:

·       Woolston Clinic, 11 Hopkins Street, Woolston,

·       Hornby Clinic, 2 Hei Hei Road, Hornby,

·       Northcote Clinic, 24 Tuckers Road, Casebrook,

·       Timaru Clinic, Level 1, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru

The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.45pm 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, or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz

BOSCO



Our bookings for the January Holiday Programme are open now. If magicians, nerf wars or pony parties sounds like fun, be sure to contact Juanita on 027 654 6632 or you can email her at office@bosco.org.nz to make a booking. We also have an around the world day, a science and magic day and a crazy hair and dress up day. There will never be a dull moment if you join us these holidays!




Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Tuition Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto 2021


Beginner Guitar, Bass and Ukulele lessons, both group and some individual are available during school time beginning February 2021.

Roger Hamilton has been teaching these instruments for the NZ Modern School of Music for 15 years both privately and in other South West Christchurch schools as well as at Beckenham.

Lessons are $9 -10 per week, depending on group size invoiced per term for the number of weeks/lessons.

If you would like your child to learn an instrument, either call or email Roger directly on the contacts below or collect a form from the office to fill in and return bottom section to the Office by start of Term 1, 2021.

email: rbhamilt@gmail.com 
cell: 027 3070466 /  03 9424619

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note: 
Ukulele 
Learning ukulele is a great way to start a life of making music. It’s relative physical simplicity to play allows early success in musicality while learning the basics of music theory and of producing sound, which is what music making is all about! Children can learn Ukulele from Year 3 up. 
Ukulele players in their 2nd year get to go to “Strum, Strike, Blow’, an annual event for players at Horncastle Arena.  See Youtube also:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFbUO8dKfX0

Guitar: To learn Guitar, you need to be at least Year 5. 
Bass Guitar: Bass learning is from year 6 up. 

The reason for the limits on different instruments is the physicality of learning them. Many students start on Ukulele and go onto Guitar. They learn many of the skills of guitar by learning Ukulele first, plus they learn to play 2 instruments! 

Roger teaches with the NZ Modern School of Music and manages the Christchurch area.

BOT Update

With the resignation of Parent Trustee Carmel Wade earlier this term and the end of the tenure of three other Parent Trustees, there have been four impending vacancies on the Board of Trustees.
Nicole Forster has been selected onto the board as a Parent Trustee to fill the casual vacancy left by the recent resignation of Carmel Wade, at the October meeting.
The terms of three trustees; Ester Vallero (Chair), Matthew Macdonald and Jude Clarke came to their end this week. Two of those places were filled through the recent election, and we welcome Suran Dickson and Richard Scott to the Board.
The third vacant position was not filled through the election, resulting in a casual vacancy.

The Board of Trustees had their final meeting of the year this week and Matthew Macdonald was selected to fill the casual vacancy.  Matthew was also voted to hold the role of Chair, until the first meeting of the new year; the meeting when the role of Chair is always up for election from within the membership of the Board.

The Board also made the decision to appoint Jude Clarke back to the Board for a further year, to support the board in the finance role that she has held for the past three years, so as to maintain some financial continuity whilst the new accounts and payroll administrator becomes familiar with her new role.

The Board would like to acknowledge the leadership and mahi of outgoing Chair, Ester Vallero over the 4 years she has been on the Board, the last two of those as Chair. Ester has led the Board with children and their families at the very heart of every decision made. We are extremely grateful for her commitment and passion to support the wellbeing of our children, their whānau and our staff. Thank you, Ester!

New Parent Trustees: Nicole Forster, Richard Scott  Suran Dickson


Community Notices

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


The Fencing Institute

We are running a fencing holiday programme in January at our fencing club in Addington.
The dates for January are 6,7,8 & 18 – 22nd. Fencers at primary and intermediate school are in the mornings.

Go to our website here to register. Read the info first. There is a 20% discount if you register for 3 or more sessions for each holiday programme. To apply the discount use the discount code holiday.  When you hit confirm it applies the 20% discount.



Elements Plus

Elements Plus (10-14yrs) programmes are now open for summer registrations. Learn new skills such as using pocket knives, rope & possibly fire. Time to explore, climb trees, group games & laugh in open spaces. Also construction & crafting opportunities too. Check out our facebook pg or website to see what we do. Westmorland farm or Brighton. Various dates from 16 Dec to 29 Jan
Book through https://elements.aimyplus.com Also listed as events on Facebook Elements
Nature Based Play at https://www.facebook.com/elementsprogrammes/ For more info or
to join our email list: elementsprogrammes@gmail.com






Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto newsleter Friday 4 December 2020

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We are getting close to the end of the school year, and what a year it has been. COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on our community but together, we have risen to the challenge.

I want to thank you once more, for all you have done to keep yourselves, your whānau and our community as safe as possible. Through reinforcing good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, staying away if sick and seeking medical advice, we have kept operating safely, and our tamariki have, importantly, continued to learn. 

I also extend a specific thank you to all those in our community who have worked in health services and on the frontline to support New Zealand’s defence against COVID-19. They and their families and whānau have sacrificed so much to contribute to our own safety and to support the return home for more than 70,000 New Zealanders. 

You may not be aware of the extent of the work our frontline community do to keep us all safe including regularly being tested, constantly monitoring for symptoms, keeping a close track of their movements, maintaining physical distancing and holding off hugging loved ones when they get home until they have had a shower and changed clothes. 

I am sure you will join me in giving a special thank you to those individuals for all they have done for us.

Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year. Stationery lists and home group team and teacher information for 2021 sent home.

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Fern Newick-Taylor - Year 7

Fern, you consistently demonstrate our school values in all that you do. You are kind and inclusive towards others, you embrace opportunities to learn and you show perseverance in the face of challenge. You can always be relied upon to role model positive behaviours for learning and you apply a growth mindset to any situation. Thank you for the wonderful contributions that you bring to our Kauri whānau. 

School Notices

Gift giving at the end of the year

We are aware that gift-giving is one way that people often choose to show appreciation and that this is particularly so at Christmas or the end of the school year.


We talk with the children about the importance of showing appreciation in an ongoing way through words and actions, rather than necessarily through the buying of gifts. Our teachers talk with the children about the value of making and writing cards or small gifts. In that same spirit, we also appreciate hearing that what we have done has been appreciated, and we do not expect parents or students to buy gifts for staff.

Hats

Even though we are in the final days of school, sunhats continue to be a compulsory uniform item. We have very large numbers of children wanting to borrow hats, which we do not have available. Without hats, they miss out on participating in outside activities both during class time and during break times. Please ensure your child comes to school with a hat EVERY day. Please ensure your child's name is written on the inside of their hat. Thank you.

Healthy Opāwaho



Did you know that everything that goes into stormwater drains ends up in our river?  Our Healthy Ōpāwaho student leaders are monitoring one of the drains in our school, and picking up nearby rubbish. Last week, they found a drink can, a broken plant pot, several food wrappers, a broken pencil, a crayon and more.  We want a clean and healthy river...and we don’t want this rubbish entering it!  You could help our river by: 
  • when you go for a walk take a bag and gloves and pick up rubbish you see
  • pick up any dog poo when you’re out walking your pup
  • wash your car on the grass not on the road, so the toxins don’t run into the drains and river
Watch this video for more information:




Healthy Ōpāwaho Ambassadors, picking up litter...

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

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. 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.

Lost Property



There is a significant amount of lost property that has accumulated over this term.  Please take a moment to have a look and see if any of it belongs to your family. Lost property is located on either the library deck, or inside the library.  



Mobile Phone Recycling

We continue to have the dropbox at the front desk of admin for people to drop off unwanted mobile phones.  These are mailed to the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme and Sustainable coastlines organisation.

BOSCO

Join us this December holidays for not only Christmas fun like pass the parcel and making beautiful Christmas cards but we will also have a BYO wheels day, pot painting, some baking and a day filled with water fun. Book now to avoid missing out or contact Juanita on 027 645 6632 or email office@bosco.org.nz


Sports News

Canterbury Athletics

A huge congratulations to the children who represented our kura at Ngā Puna Wai on Wednesday. True to any Canterbury level competition, the standard of entries was very high. An example of this was the longest jump of the day by a Year 8 student measuring 5.25 metres. It was a pleasure to see our students hold their own against such strong competition, competing with ambition, integrity and sportsmanship. 

Congratulations to JJ Mathias, Caitlyn McIntosh, Grace Monk, Jonty Mitchell, Ava Howard, Billy Murfin and Zoe Clarke. 

Congratulations to Billy who placed 2nd in the 60 m sprint. Billy ran an amazing race, with just a hair between him and first place. 

Mountain Biking

Congratulations to Morgan Lee, who finished 2nd in Gravity Canterbury’s Dave’s Race last weekend. For most of us, just looking at the course he raced down would make our stomachs turn.

Community Notices

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



Friday Whānau Fun Nights at South Library

An evening of stories, family and fun at the library!

Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, or bring your uncle and cousins – the whole whānau is invited!

Join us on the second Friday of the month for a short storytime, followed by fun, hands-on activities to do as a family. We’ll be building, making, and exploring right here in South library! Come along, create some great family memories, and get your weekend off to a fun start.

Friday 11 December 5-6pm (Christmas)

Age: This is aimed at 5-12 year olds and their family members of any age.

Cost: Free, no bookings required


Christchurch Netball

Christchurch Netball Centre are running netball skill and development sessions in Term 1 2021.Please visit their website to find out more.




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 20 Nov 2020

Posted on by

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Lots of important information in this newsletter... including some staffing information, an update from the Board on the new strategic plan, and lots of dates to put in your calendar for the upcoming final weeks of the school year!

Reports

End of Year reports will be sent home on Tuesday next week. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in your child's report with their teacher, please email them to make a time for a catch-up.
Stationery Lists and Home-Groups for 2021 will still come home on the final day of the school year.

Strategic Plan for 2021-2023

A huge thank you to all the whānau, students and staff, who contributed to the consultation process for the review of our Strategic Plan and consultation for our new Strategic Plan. This has been a very big piece of work over two terms and, last night, the board finalised the new Strategic Plan which we are now able to share with you.
This plan will drive our focus and areas of priority for the next three years. We will still have our 'business as usual' - the foundational work that we continue to do all of the time. This strategic plan highlights the areas of priority and, in some cases, new learning.

We intend to be regularly talking about this plan through newsletters so that you are well informed about the work that we are doing. 

You can also find the plan on our website (which may be easier to read than the images below)





Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 24 Nov: Reports come home
Wed 25 Nov: Canterbury Schools Triathlon - Pegasus
Wed 25 - Fri 27 Nov: Pohutukawa Camp at Living Springs 
Wed 25 Nov: PTA meeting - Green Room, 7:30pm
Sat 29 Nov: PTA Top Team Event - Beckenham Park 
Mon 30 Nov & Tue 1 Dec: Kōwhai Rapaki Marae visit                                                            
Wed 2 Dec: Canterbury Primary School's athletics, Nga Puna Wai Park
Wed 2 Dec: Training and Jazz Band Concert at Hillview Christian School 9:15am
Thu 3 Dec - Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Fri 4 Dec: Year 3/4 Noho Kura (sleepover at school!) from 5:30pm
Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year.

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Austin Reddecliffe - Year 4

Austin, you are an enthusiastic learner and always put your best effort into all areas of the curriculum. You consistently demonstrate a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. You are an outstanding role model to your peers. You are reliable, courteous and thoughtful. Well done, Austin!

Taylor Collins - Year 6

Taylor you are an outstanding role model for all learners in our hub. Your quiet leadership and the gentle, friendly way that you work with your peers truly demonstrates our kete values "We Care" and "We Get There Together". You are kind, helpful, thoughtful and you make a difference in our hub every day. Thank you, Taylor, for giving your best to your learning each and every day. Well done!

Staffing Update

Appointments

We have made three new permanent teacher appointments to our staff, all of whom will start at the beginning of next year. 


Meagan Mathers joins us from Wellington where she has been teaching for the past three years at Kahurangi School in Miramar. Meagan originally hails from Christchurch and is looking forward to returning to her home city and being much closer to her whānau and friends here.


Quynh Nguyen (Quing Noo-en) has been teaching in the Wairarapa at Lakeview School and is also looking forward to returning to Christchurch where she has previously studied. Quynh originates from Vietnam. ‘Coming from a very crowded city of almost 10 million people, I have always dreamed of living where it is not too crowded but not too remote either, and Christchurch was a perfect option. I’d bet that anyone who comes to Christchurch will find something they love about this city. Kei Ōtautahi tōku kāinga ināianei | Christchurch is my home.’


Caitlyn Worsfold has recently completed her teaching qualifications and is currently working at St Martins School. "Following my graduation from the University of Otago in 2016, I made the decision to move to London and fulfil my dream to travel. In 6 months I saw many countries, was able to immerse myself in rich European culture and discover my true passion for teaching. Being a fluent speaker of Spanish and French has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, and meet people all over the world. I live an active, and healthy lifestyle through growing my own produce, exercising regularly and enjoying time outdoors."

Retirements and Resignations

Chris Stace, our longest standing Teaching Assistant, has announced her retirement this week, effective from the end of this school year. Chris has a very long history as a Teacher Aide - first at Sydenham School, then moving to Beckenham when Sydenham closed in 2000. We know that Chris has been thinking about this for a wee while now, and that it has been a really hard decision to make. We so appreciate the care and commitment she has given to our school, and especially to all of the children that she has worked with over the years. She will be so missed, and we wish her a very happy retirement. We look forward to seeing her around the school next year in her capacity as 'grandmother' of two of our students.


Rob Proffitt-White has resigned from his appointment as Deputy Principal, effective during the school holidays. Rob has been shoulder-tapped for a once-in-a career opportunity to work for a global education organisation based in Canada, writing materials and doing project work with Universities and school collaborations at an international level, including an education project with UNESCO. We are gutted to be losing Rob after such a very short time, and we also understand the opportunity he has been offered. Rob has committed to continuing to work with us on an ad-hoc basis going forward and we look forward to learning from his new work too.



School Notices


Junior Neighbourhood support

All these girls overcame lockdown time to do something for others. Layla J and Layla W raised funds to feed gorillas at Orana Park, Molly made a newsletter series for her street and Mia made cards to sell and raised money for Charity Voices of Hope.

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

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. 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.

CSM Outreach Band Information Meeting for 2021 tuition

Will your child be in Years 5-8 next year?
Would they like to learn a band instrument?



We are incredibly fortunate to have access to the CSM Outreach Band programme at Beckenham. This programme has been running in our school now for over 12 years. 
Students are able to learn a wide variety of instruments including:
  • flute
  • oboe
  • clarinet
  • saxophone
  • trumpet
  • trombone, 
  • bass guitar
  • percussion
Due to COVID challenges, we won't be having a Blow Test during school time this year, however, there will be an information evening for parent's and students who are new to the CSM Outreach Band Programme and would like to find out more, and possibly try an instrument on Tuesday 1st December, 7-8pm at Hillview School in the Junior Campus Staffroom.  All interested parents and students who will be in years 5 to 8 in 2021 are welcome to attend.    
So we have an idea of numbers, please register using this link Band Information Meeting Regn

BoardTalk

School Donations – A year in review

This year we made a change to the school donation scheme by requesting a flat $150* contribution per child, rather than a donation plus multiple requests for contributions throughout the year.

The Board of Trustees would like to thank the school community for supporting this change.  It has reduced the complexity of managing multiple small contributions for activities and made planning and budgeting more straightforward. Your contribution goes a long way in helping the school to provide rich and varied experiences for your tamariki.  It is not too late to make a donation.  

Don’t forget that you can claim 33% of your donation including donations for camp, back from IRD at the end of each tax year.  Current rules allow claims for up to 4 years in the past.   You’ll find more information at this link to IRD. https://www.ird.govt.nz/topics/income-tax/tax-credits/tax-credits-for-donations

If you do need a receipt you can email accounts@beckenham.school.nz and request one.  You can only request receipts once the tax year has ended.  Please be aware there could be a small delay in receiving your receipts as the school is transitioning the account management to a new member of staff.    

*School camps are additional request on top of the $150 donation’

PTA News

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Top Team and Community Picnic on 29th November has been cancelled as we are unable to get enough helpers. We would like to thank the 3 people who offered to help on the day.
We would also like to thank Platform Designs (poster design) and Smyth & Co barristers and solicitors who were supporting the event.

Community Notices

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

Beckenham Community Christmas Celebration.



Thursday 10th December 2020 5.00-7.00pm
In the grounds of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Free Family Event. BBQ and/or bring a picnic.
Market stalls, Bouncy Castle, Mystery Bottle, Games, Bicycle Smoothie Maker, Christmas carols and other favourites.
Organised by Beckenham locals for the Beckenham community, supported by the Beckenham Neighbourhood Association and Cashmere New Life Church.
Koha towards getting a community accessible AED (defibrillator).
Bottles for the Mystery Bottle (all funds towards the community accessible AED) can be dropped at the school office.

Motivationz Cricket

Motivationz Cricket is running a pre-Christmas holiday programme at St Andrew’s College for boys and girls. Run by Mark Lane, former NZ Cricket General Manager of Cricket Development.
6-7-year olds 17th, 18th and 21st Dec 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This is an entry level programme where we teach the children the basic principles of how to catch, throw and strike a ball. This will be done through fun games and activities.
8-10-year olds 17th, 188h and 21st 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This programme is designed to give the children the basic techniques around batting, bowling and fielding. The technique work will be supported with plenty of drills and modified games to reinforce the learnings.
11-13-year olds 21st and 22th 12.30-4.30pm cost $130
This programme will be developed to cater for the individual needs of the child. There will be some general testing before more specific coaching will take place.
If you would like to book email anthony@motivationz.co.nz your child’s full name, DOB and contact phone number.

The Voice of Christmas: WIN A SMART BEDROOM!!

This Christmas morning on Newstalk ZB - it's "The Voice of Christmas" singing competition... on the 'Crazy Kiwi Christmas Kids Show'... If you can sing, and you’re under 13, call 0800 THE VOICE (that’s 0800 843 864) and sing a Christmas carol or Christmas song as your audition. The grand prize? The ultimate smart bedroom bundle complete with an Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker and Alexa-enabled smart coloured light bulbs! Then tune in on Christmas morning to Newstalk ZB from 6am, to see if you've won!


Christchurch Boys Choir  - Auditions